2017 Gmc SIERRA 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2017 Gmc SIERRA 3500 has 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is brakes problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: while driving down a mountain road with a 5th wheel attached it appeared that the rear brakes on the drivers side were smoking, i pulled over to allow it to cool. we found a gmc dealership and proceeded there very slowly stopping a number of times to allow the brakes to cool down. 2 miles short of. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

BRAKES

5 complaints

28%

• WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH A 5TH WHEEL ATTACHED IT APPEARED THAT THE REAR BRAKES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WERE SMOKING, I PULLED OVER TO ALLOW IT TO COOL. WE FOUND A GMC DEALERSHIP AND PROCEEDED THERE VERY SLOWLY STOPPING A NUMBER OF TIMES TO ALLOW THE BRAKES TO COOL DOWN. 2 MILES SHORT OF
• WHEN YOU PUT ON THE BRAKES YOU HAVE TO PRESS SO HARD AND I MEAN HARD TO GET IT TO STOP. IT WAS NOT LIKE THAT WHEN IT WAS NEW. IT YOU PUT ATRAILER BEHIND THE TRUCK AND THE TRAILER HAS BREAKES THAT IS WHAT STOP THE TRUCK NOT THE TRUCK BRAKES. IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 3 MO
• Brake are very spongy all the time we’ll While driving in parking lot at low speed we lost brakes happen to hit person in front. This has been a continuous problem to point we are scared to even use the truck to go to store. Took it to Firestone. They told me it was the master cylinder. So they

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH A 5TH WHEEL ATTACHED IT APPEARED THAT THE REAR BRAKES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WERE SMOKING, I PULLED OVER TO ALLOW IT TO COOL. WE FOUND A GMC DEALERSHIP AND PROCEEDED THERE VERY SLOWLY STOPPING A NUMBER OF TIMES TO ALLOW THE BRAKES TO COOL DOWN. 2 MILES SHORT OF”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

3 complaints

17%

• PURCHASED A NEW 2017 GMC DENALI 3500. THE TRUCK CAME WITH 4 MICHILEN LT 265/70R18 A/T2 TIRES ON IT. THE SPARE TIRE IS A GOODYEAR TIRE. PAGE 401 AND PAGE 402 OF THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES: MIXING TIRES OF DIFFERENT SIZES,BRANDS, OR TYPES MAY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH OR
• WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH A 5TH WHEEL ATTACHED IT APPEARED THAT THE REAR BRAKES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WERE SMOKING, I PULLED OVER TO ALLOW IT TO COOL. WE FOUND A GMC DEALERSHIP AND PROCEEDED THERE VERY SLOWLY STOPPING A NUMBER OF TIMES TO ALLOW THE BRAKES TO COOL DOWN. 2 MILES SHORT OF
• The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V496000 (Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of tim

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“PURCHASED A NEW 2017 GMC DENALI 3500. THE TRUCK CAME WITH 4 MICHILEN LT 265/70R18 A/T2 TIRES ON IT. THE SPARE TIRE IS A GOODYEAR TIRE. PAGE 401 AND PAGE 402 OF THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES: MIXING TIRES OF DIFFERENT SIZES,BRANDS, OR TYPES MAY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH OR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

3 complaints

17%

• SERVICE TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM. Faulty control in the dash. Known issue per mechanic but no recall issued. Safety issue as trailer brake may not function properly when towing as a result
• Trailer brake system connection warning Intermittent when towing it will say trailer not connected, while still having a secure 7 pin connection. This causes me to loose trailer brakes. My camper is nearly 14,000 lbs. Very dangerous situation. Happened since new. Was into / complained to GM ser
• My truck is affected by GM’s engine block‑heater safety recall (NHTSA 21V‑496 / GM N212329840) addressing a risk of short circuit and potential engine‑compartment fire at the heater cord/terminal connection. GM’s interim action has been to remove/disable the block‑heater cord, which my dealer did, a

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“SERVICE TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM. Faulty control in the dash. Known issue per mechanic but no recall issued. Safety issue as trailer brake may not function properly when towing as a result”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

3 complaints

17%

• tHE 6L90 TRANMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING AT 58,408 MILES. HAD TO BACK THE TRUCK UP IN TRAFFIC OVER 1/2 MILE TO REACH A SAFE SPOT. SEEMS GM IS HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND THEIR 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION. NO ASSISTANCE FROM GM TO REPAIR SEEING I WAS OUT OF THE 5 YEAR 100000 WAR
• The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was smoke and a squealing sound coming from the passenger’s side rear wheel. The vehicle was taken to the residence and the contact observed fluid on the axle tube. The contact stated that the axle as taken apart
• The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while shifting from park(P) to drive(D), the engine revved, but the vehicle failed to move forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, who determined that the vehicle needed to be d

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“tHE 6L90 TRANMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING AT 58,408 MILES. HAD TO BACK THE TRUCK UP IN TRAFFIC OVER 1/2 MILE TO REACH A SAFE SPOT. SEEMS GM IS HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND THEIR 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION. NO ASSISTANCE FROM GM TO REPAIR SEEING I WAS OUT OF THE 5 YEAR 100000 WAR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

2 complaints

11%

• this vehicle is garage kept and meticulous maintained, has 136,000 miles, original owner, brought to dealer for an oil leak, they said exhaust are frozen and won't come out after heating etc. they have to replace exhaust manifolds! Bolts should not seize is the head of a garage kept vehicle that's h
• My truck is affected by GM’s engine block‑heater safety recall (NHTSA 21V‑496 / GM N212329840) addressing a risk of short circuit and potential engine‑compartment fire at the heater cord/terminal connection. GM’s interim action has been to remove/disable the block‑heater cord, which my dealer did, a

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“this vehicle is garage kept and meticulous maintained, has 136,000 miles, original owner, brought to dealer for an oil leak, they said exhaust are frozen and won't come out after heating etc. they have to replace exhaust manifolds! Bolts should not seize is the head of a garage kept vehicle that's h”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 18 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH A 5TH WHEEL ATTACHED IT APPEARED THAT THE REAR BRAKES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WERE SMOKING, I PULLED OVER TO ALLOW IT TO COOL. WE FOUND A GMC DEALERSHIP AND PROCEEDED THERE VERY SLOWLY STOPPING A NUMBER OF TIMES TO ALLOW THE BRAKES TO COOL DOWN. 2 MILES SHORT OF
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: PURCHASED A NEW 2017 GMC DENALI 3500. THE TRUCK CAME WITH 4 MICHILEN LT 265/70R18 A/T2 TIRES ON IT. THE SPARE TIRE IS A GOODYEAR TIRE. PAGE 401 AND PAGE 402 OF THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES: MIXING TIRES OF DIFFERENT SIZES,BRANDS, OR TYPES MAY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH OR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: SERVICE TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM. Faulty control in the dash. Known issue per mechanic but no recall issued. Safety issue as trailer brake may not function properly when towing as a result
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: tHE 6L90 TRANMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING AT 58,408 MILES. HAD TO BACK THE TRUCK UP IN TRAFFIC OVER 1/2 MILE TO REACH A SAFE SPOT. SEEMS GM IS HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND THEIR 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION. NO ASSISTANCE FROM GM TO REPAIR SEEING I WAS OUT OF THE 5 YEAR 100000 WAR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)