Home · 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Hd · Complaints

What 98 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Hd

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (98)Crash / fire / injury (9)Transmission & drivetrain (29)Brakes (28)Electrical system (12)Engine (10)Equipment (4)Speed control (4)Steering (4)Visibility & wipers (4)Airbags (3)Fuel system (3)

Newest first · 98 complaints · page 4 of 4

Mar 18, 2019Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V088000 (FUEL SYSTEM) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN FEBRUARY OF 2019. SPRINGFIELD BUICK GMC (431 RIVER ST, NORTH SPRINGFIELD, VT 05150) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11187499

Feb 12, 2019Electrical system

I REMOTE STARTED THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW IT TO WARM UP. THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER AUTOMATICALLY TURNED ON. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I GOT INTO THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AS WELL AS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE SQUARE CONTROL UNIT ON THE REAR SLIDING WINDOW. QUICKLY, I SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE IN CASE THERE WOULD BE A FIRE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THAT THEY NOTICED REAR DEFROSTER WIRES GLOWING AND MELTING TRIM WHILE OTHER HAVE REPORTED SMOKE AND SUBSEQUENT SHATTERING OF THE REAR WINDOW. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO (I DO NOT HAVE THE EXACT DATE).

NHTSA ODI 11176504

Feb 4, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TRUCK LAGS POWER WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AT TIMES AFTER PUTTING TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSE. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD INTO AND OUT OF FIRST GEAR AND AT TIMES FEELS LIKE IT IS SKIPPING 2ND GEAR DURING A DOWNSHIFT.

NHTSA ODI 11174364

Jan 28, 2019Brakes

WAS DRIVING MY 2017 GMC SIERRA WITH MY WIFE AND YOUNG SON. I WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND HAD NO BRAKES. THE BRAKE WAS VERY HARD TO PUSH AND MADE A FUNNY CLICKING NOISE WHEN I SHOVED IT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION AND PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. I NOTICED THEN, THAT THE SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST LIGHT WAS ON. THE TRUCK GAVE NO PRIOR WARNING THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11172529

Jan 10, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION HAS SURGING AND HESITATION. DEALER CANNOT FIX.

NHTSA ODI 11166335

Nov 28, 2018Electrical system

WHEN REVERSE IS ACTIVATED AT NIGHT, THE BACKUP CAMERA COMES ON AT FULL BRIGHTNESS AND IS NOT DIMMABLE. THE BRIGHT SCREEN PREVENTS VIEW OF THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES VISIBILITY IN THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WHILE REVERSING. THE SCREEN CANNOT BE DEACTIVATED AND BLINDS THE DRIVER. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11154567

Nov 26, 2018Brakes

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH, A SERVICE BRAKE ASSISTANT WARNING CAME ON. THE BRAKES AT THAT POINT WERE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO USE AND THERE WAS NO WAY FOR A QUICK STOP. WAS ABLE TO GET TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE BOOSTER PUMP, VACUUM PUMP AND TUBING. COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS OVER $1,200.

NHTSA ODI 11154030

Oct 14, 2018Electrical system

WHEN REVERSE IS ACTIVATED AT NIGHT, THE BACKUP CAMERA COMES ON AT FULL BRIGHTNESS AND IS NOT DIMMABLE. THE BRIGHT SCREEN PREVENTS VIEW OF THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES VISIBILITY IN THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WHILE REVERSING. THE SCREEN CANNOT BE DEACTIVATED AND BLINDS THE DRIVER. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11140197

Aug 28, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

THE "CHEVY SAKE". AT SPEEDS OVER 70MPH EXCESSIVE VIBRATION INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON-LINE, PARTICULARLY VARIOUS GM FORUMS AND YOU TUBE VIDEOS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT GM DENIES IT IS A PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING SOME BUY BACKS AND IF YOU READ SOME OF THE DEALER BLOGS IT IS EVIDENT THAT GM KNOWS IT IS A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11122903

Jul 2, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

THIS TRUCK IS A 3500 HD. I WAS PULLING A CAMPER ON A 1100 MILE TRIP. WITH 50 MILES LEFT I NOTICED THAT THE TRUCK WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM UNDER THE TRANSMISSION COOLER. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE RETURN HOSE FROM THE TRANS COOLER WAS POSITIONED SO THE IT RUBBED ON A FRAME COMPONENT WHICH CAUSED A HOLE TO RUB IN THE ALUMINUM TRANS COOLANT RETURN LINE. I NOTICED THIS WHEN THE TRUCK WAS PARKED RUNNING AT A REST AREA FOR AN HOUR BUT IT WAS OBVIOUSLY AN ONGOING ISSUE. HAD I NOT NOTICED IT WHEN I DID THIS CONDITION COULD HAVE CAUSED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL AND IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO MY DELIVERY STOP AND GET THE LINE PATCHED. IT IS AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS RIGHT NOW.

NHTSA ODI 11105117

May 2, 2018

DURAMAX TICKING NOISE. CONSISTENT TEMPO TICKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE BAY. AUDIBLE ONLY WHEN MOVING AT LOW SPEEDS DUE TO INCREASED VEHICLE/ROAD NOISE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. NOT CONSISTENT WITH RPM OR SPEED. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SYMPTOMS AT THIS TIME. DEALER SAYS NOT COMMON, BUT APPEARS COMMON ON THE INTERNET. CANNOT FIND SOURCE OF NOISE. TRUCK HAS 18K MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11091384

Apr 6, 2018

THE DASH HAS CRACKED IN 2 PLACES, AND THIS POSES A SAFETY RISK OF SHRAPNEL SHOULD THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS AND RELATED MODELS. GMC SHOULD REPLACE THE DASH.

NHTSA ODI 11083568

Mar 19, 2018Seat belts

I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR SEVERAL TIME ON THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT PROVIDE A WARNING WHEN DISCONNECTED WHILE OPERATING. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT IS WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THAT MODEL AND YEAR. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT WITH OUT THE WARNING LETTING ME KNOW THAT ARE UNBUCKLED. MY WIFE RODE FOR OVER 200 MILES WITH IT DISCONNECTED BY NO FAULT OF HER OWN. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUES AND NEED ADDRESSED WITH GMC THE CHEVY SAME YEAR IT WORKS.

NHTSA ODI 11080220

Mar 7, 2018BrakesCrash

I ALMOST KILLED A KID TODAY PARKING FOR A BASEBALL GAME. I WAS TRAVELING SLOWLY AND PARKING WHEN MY BRAKES BECAME HARD TO PUSH AND FAILED. TRUCK WENT OVER CURB AND TOWARD KID PUTTING ON HIS CLEATS AND NOT FACING ME. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH AS HARD AS I COULD AND IT STOPPED. I BACKED UP AND BRAKES WORKED AGAIN. I HAVE 46,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, BUT IT SEEMS THEY ARE WORKING AGAIN. IF THIS IS COMMON, GMC NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS. SOMEONE WILL SOON BE HURT SERIOUSLY!

NHTSA ODI 11076600

Feb 23, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION HARSH 1-2 SHIFT WHEN IT IS UNDER LIGHT THROTTLE AND SOMETIME DOES NOT SHIFT OR MAKE NOSE. GMC DEALER ARE AWARE ABOUT THIS ISSUES ON ALL GM TRUCK MODEL OF 2015 TO 2017 WITH 8SPED TRANSMISSION SINCE APRIL 2017. I HAVE ATTACHED DOCUMENTS GIVEN BY DEALER.

NHTSA ODI 11074484

Jan 1, 2018Speed control

TRAVELING I-81 S IN MARYLAND, APPROXIMATELY MILE 290, ACCELERATOR STUCK IN FULL THROTTLE. I HAD ACCELERATED TO PASS A CAR, BUT THE ACCELERATOR WENT TO FULL THROTTLE, AND STUCK ON FULL ACCELERATION. I STAYED IN THE LEFT LANE, APPLIED BRAKES SPORADICALLY TO LIMIT THE INCREASED SPEED, AND QUICKLY HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH MY FOOT AND IMMEDIATELY RELEASED SEVERAL TIMES TO TRY TO "BREAK" THE ACCELERATOR FREE. I DID THIS MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO RESULTS UNTIL FINALLY, WHEN WE WERE AT 94 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR BROKE FREE, AND DISENGAGED. THE BRAKES SMELLED STRONGLY FROM THE EFFORTS TO RETAIN THE ACCELERATION. THE TRUCK HAD APPROXIMATELY 2,300 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I HAD PLANNED TO PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND MOVE OFF THE ROAD BEFORE WE HIT 100 MPH. IF MY HUSBAND HAD BEEN DRIVING, HE MIGHT HAVE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND LOST CONTROL (DUE TO LOSS OF POWER). THIS WAS EXTREMELY TROUBLING, AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THANKFULLY, TRAFFIC WAS LIMITED ENOUGH NOT TO CAUSE A WORSE OUTCOME. I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND THE DEALER WHERE I WAS TRAVELING TO.

NHTSA ODI 11057875

Dec 22, 2017Lights

THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY NEW GMC SIERRA 2500HD DENALI ARE HORRIBLE AND UNSAFE FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE 25 WATT RATING AND 2,000 LUMENS ON THE OEM HID BULBS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE, SAFE LIGHTING FOR OPERATING MY VEHICLE. I ALREADY HIT A DEER WITH MY BRAND NEW TRUCK BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE IT WELL ENOUGH IN ADVANCE OF THE COLLISION. GMC SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PUTTING SUCH A LOW POWER, POOR QUALITY AND UNSAFE HEADLIGHT IN THEIR $70,000 VEHICLES. I'M RENTING A HYUNDAI WHILE MY TRUCK IS BEING REPAIRED AND THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS $30,000 FOREIGN CAR ARE 10XS BETTER THAN THE ONES ON MY TRUCK. WHY?

NHTSA ODI 11056076

Dec 14, 2017Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUTTER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (DONOVAN AND BAUER AUTO GROUP, 11579 HYDETOWN ROAD, TITUSVILLE, PA 16354), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WAS NO REMEDY TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION-SHUTTERING FEELS LIKE ENGINE MISS. UPDATED 8/14/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11054695

Oct 25, 2017SteeringTransmission & drivetrainWheels

VIBRATION 65+ MPH, FELT IN STEERING WHEEL AND SEAT. STEERING WHEELS QUIVERS AT 65+ MPH. TRUCK FEELS VERY UNSTABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER STATES IT'S NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI 11039665

Aug 8, 2017SuspensionWheelsBrakes

TOOK TRUCK IN FOR FIRST OIL CHANGE.I HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE BACK TIRES BEING OVER 50% WORN OUT. ALIGNMENT WAS OFF AND DEALER REPAIRED THAT AND ROTATED THE TIRES. NOW WHEN I STOP AT ABOUT 5 MPH THE TRUCK JUMPS. I REMOVED THE ABS FUSE AND PROBLEM GOES AWAY. DEALER STATES THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON TIRES EVEN IF THEY WEAR OUT IN 6000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM WAS THE VEHICLE WASN'T PUT TOGETHER PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME.IF THE ROADS WERE COVERED WITH SNOW I WOULD BE IN REAL TROUBLE.NORMAL HIGHWAY TRAVEL AROUND TOWN

NHTSA ODI 11013797

Jul 27, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR AND THERE WAS A DELAY OF THREE TO FOUR SECONDS BEFORE SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED EVERY MORNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (JIM CAUSLEY, LOCATED AT 38111 GRATIOT AVE, CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI 48036) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT GM WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON HIS VIN. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500. UPDATED 11/13/17 *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI 11011130

May 22, 2017Lights

NATURE OF CONCERN: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE, THE REAR BACK-UP CAMERA COMES ON. THE DISPLAY OF THE CAMERA IS EXTREMELY TOO BRIGHT, AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO BACK UP PROPERLY WITH A GLARING LIGHT IN YOUR FACE. THERE IS CURRENTLY NOT AN OPTION TO DECREASE THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE CAMERA.

NHTSA ODI 10990885

Apr 4, 2017Speed controlBrakesEngine

MY 2017 GMC 2500 SIERRA DENALI DURAMAX HAS HAD THIS THROTTLE ISSUE, IT SEEMS TO ONLY DO IT WHEN THE EXHAUST STINKS, AND AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 5 - 55 MPH. IF I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE TRUCK MAINTAINS RPM (1200 - 1400) OR EVEN HAS INCREASED SOME AND HAS LASTED 2 - 5 SECONDS (ESTIMATED AND GREATLY REDUCES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BRAKING CAPACITY AND RESPONSIVENESS/STOPPING DISTANCE). WORST WAS WITH A HUGE TRAILER BEHIND AND I GOT UP TO SPEED 55 ON COUNTY HWY 8, AND I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND IT KEPT GOING HARD AND I GOT ON THE BRAKES AND I COULDN'T SLOW IT DOWN UNTIL THE TRUCK DECIDED TO RELEASE OFF THE THROTTLE.(TWO WITNESSES IN THE VEHICLE, ONE A GM TECH, STATING YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT) IT'S HAPPENED ABOUT 25 TIMES IN 5700 MILES IN VARIOUS SETTINGS & SPEEDS AND HAS OCCURRED FREQUENTLY IN TOWN AT SPEEDS OF 25 - 35 MPH. THERE MAYBE SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES IN BETWEEN EPISODES IF YOU WILL, AS THEY OCCUR IN CLUSTERS WHEN EXHAUST STINKS AND GONE WHEN EXHAUST DOES NOT STINK. TRUCK ALSO HAD TORQUE CONVERTER NOT UNLOCK AND [XXX] NEAR CHOKED THE ENGINE OFF AT STOP SIGN RIGHT AFTER A THROTTLE STUCK CONDITION. GOT HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AND FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING! BACK UP CAMERA IS DAYLIGHT BRIGHT AT NIGHT, LOW COOLANT ISSUES, MAP SENSOR ISSUE, ENGINE SURGED THE OTHER DAY, WHAT NEXT? IT'S CONSTANTLY BEEN AT DEALERSHIPS WITH NO ANSWERS. MY WIFE WON'T DRIVE IT ANYMORE AND WISHES I WOULDN'T EITHER FEARING IT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND SHE'S PROBABLY RIGHT. GM HAS STATED THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY TRADE IN ASSISTANCE DOLLARS TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND THERE IS NO FIX. $70,000+ TRUCK, LIVES AT RISK AND NO SERIOUS RESPONSE FROM GM? PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 10970415

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Working with the data? Download all 98 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Hd verdict →