GMC Sierra 3500 problems by model year

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 289 owner complaints and 40 recalls on file for the GMC Sierra 3500 (2005–2026). The 2020 Sierra 3500 has the most serious complaints, most often about transmission & drivetrain.

Complaints: 289
Recalls: 40
Model years: 22
Worst year: 2020

Complaints by model year

NHTSA complaints per GMC Sierra 3500 model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst GMC Sierra 3500 years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

2020 GMC Sierra 3500 — 50 complaints, 4 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
2022 GMC Sierra 3500 — 31 complaints, 3 crashes; top problem: Electrical System
2024 GMC Sierra 3500 — 50 complaints, 1 fire; top problem: Electrical System
2023 GMC Sierra 3500 — 28 complaints, 5 crashes; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
2019 GMC Sierra 3500 — 13 complaints, 1 crash, 1 fire; top problem: Brakes

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2010 (1 complaints).

Every GMC Sierra 3500 model year

Year	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Recalls	Top problem
2026 Sierra 3500	5	0	0	0	2	Wheels & Tires
2025 Sierra 3500	17	0	0	0	1	Brakes
2024 Sierra 3500	50	0	1	1	3	Electrical System
2023 Sierra 3500	28	5	0	1	1	Transmission & Drivetrain
2022 Sierra 3500	31	3	0	5	3	Electrical System
2021 Sierra 3500	20	0	0	0	5	Transmission & Drivetrain
2020 Sierra 3500	50	4	2	4	8	Transmission & Drivetrain
2019 Sierra 3500	13	1	1	1	7	Brakes
2018 Sierra 3500	8	0	0	0	6	Brakes
2017 Sierra 3500	9	1	0	0	7	Electrical System
2016 Sierra 3500	15	0	0	0	7	Brakes
2015 Sierra 3500	14	1	0	1	7	Electrical System
2014 Sierra 3500	4	1	0	1	3	Brakes
2013 Sierra 3500	9	0	0	0	4	Airbags
2012 Sierra 3500	2	0	0	0	4	Airbags
2011 Sierra 3500	7	0	0	0	5	Transmission & Drivetrain
2010 Sierra 3500	1	0	0	0	5	Electrical System
2009 Sierra 3500	1	0	0	0	5	Airbags
2008 Sierra 3500	2	0	0	0	3	Airbags
2007 Sierra 3500	1	0	0	0	3	Airbags
2006 Sierra 3500	1	0	0	0	0	Airbags
2005 Sierra 3500	1	0	0	0	0	Brakes

Most common GMC Sierra 3500 problem areas (all years)

Transmission & Drivetrain
73 complaints
Electrical System
61 complaints
Brakes
56 complaints
Engine
44 complaints
Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
25 complaints
Wheels & Tires
24 complaints
Body & Structure
20 complaints
Airbags
20 complaints
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
14 complaints
Steering
13 complaints

Complaint trend

Complaints about the GMC Sierra 3500 received by NHTSA each month.

GMC Sierra 3500 recalls

Recall 26V611000Sep 24, 20261,559 vehiclesModel years 2016
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall 26V325000May 21, 20264,315 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall 26V166000Mar 19, 20262,819 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall 26V129000Mar 5, 202611,807 vehiclesModel years 2025–2026
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Recall 26V114000Feb 26, 20265,861 vehiclesModel years 2026
Risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Recall 26V083000Feb 12, 20261,055 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
Recall 25V432000Jun 26, 20251,658 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increases the risk of injury or crash.
Recall 24V894000Nov 26, 2024131,231 vehiclesModel years 2024
Risk: An unlatched tailgate may open and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 24V797000Oct 24, 2024463,295 vehiclesModel years 2020–2022
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 24V756000Oct 10, 20242,061 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019
Risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Recall 24V060000Feb 1, 2024570,434 vehiclesModel years 2020–2024
Risk: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 23V549000Aug 3, 20233,893 vehiclesModel years 2024
Risk: A steering arm that disconnects may result in a total loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 23V047000Feb 2, 202322,132 vehiclesModel years 2017–2019
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Recall 21V758000Sep 29, 20213,241 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022
Risk: Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.
Recall 21V504000Jul 1, 2021410,019 vehiclesModel years 2015–2016
Risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Recall 21V496000Jul 1, 2021338,020 vehiclesModel years 2017–2019
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Recall 21V051000Feb 5, 2021284,645 vehiclesModel years 2012
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 21V050000Feb 5, 20212,641,272 vehiclesModel years 2009–2011
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 21V052000Feb 5, 2021557,023 vehiclesModel years 2009
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 21V053000Feb 5, 2021692,526 vehiclesModel years 2009–2013
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 21V054000Feb 5, 20211,778,128 vehiclesModel years 2010–2014
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 20V811000Dec 23, 2020470 vehiclesModel years 2021
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall 20V792000Dec 17, 2020624,216 vehiclesModel years 2020–2021
Risk: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Recall 20V736000Nov 25, 20209,279 vehiclesModel years 2015
Risk: If the end cap separates from the inflator, the compressed gas will escape and the end cap can be propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Recall 20V446000Jul 30, 2020769 vehiclesModel years 2020
Risk: If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Other GMC models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology