
2019 Gmc SIERRA 3500
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2019 Gmc SIERRA 3500 has 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 25. The most common issue is brakes problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: driving to work. power steering went out and braking system seem to be ineffective. instrument panel service light came on with the battery indicator displaying "battery charging system" fault.. There are 7 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
19
Total Complaints
7
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.8x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
BRAKES
4 complaints- • DRIVING TO WORK. POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND BRAKING SYSTEM SEEM TO BE INEFFECTIVE. INSTRUMENT PANEL SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE BATTERY INDICATOR DISPLAYING "BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM" FAULT.
- • The trailer brake system has stopped working and displays the message "Service trailer Brakes" it does this no matter if several different tralers are hooked to the truck. These trialers test fine in other trucks and with meters. The trailer brake controller does not work. There are many owners rep
- • Service brake brake system comes on randomly. have to hit reset when driving. constantly
“DRIVING TO WORK. POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND BRAKING SYSTEM SEEM TO BE INEFFECTIVE. INSTRUMENT PANEL SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE BATTERY INDICATOR DISPLAYING "BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM" FAULT.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (7)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord. An electrical short-circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cable or in the terminals that connect the heater cable to the block heater.
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace engine block heaters and heater cords. Vehicles that have this feature disabled as a remedy to the safety condition will be contacted and offered replacement block heaters and heater cords under a separate customer satisfaction program, free of charge. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted, free of charge. Interim owner notifications were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 4, 2022. Customers may call GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 212329840.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Gmc SIERRA 3500
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Gmc SIERRA 3500 Service Intervals
Uses GM Oil Life System. Full-size trucks may have shorter differential and transfer case intervals if used for towing.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Gmc New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Gmc. If you're buying a used 2019 SIERRA 3500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Gmc dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 19 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐BRAKES: DRIVING TO WORK. POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND BRAKING SYSTEM SEEM TO BE INEFFECTIVE. INSTRUMENT PANEL SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE BATTERY INDICATOR DISPLAYING "BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM" FAULT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle with the air conditioner on and blowing air the occupants had experienced an acid/chemical burning sensation to the eyes and throat. The failure was intermittent and had affected multiple occupants. The vehi
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle with the air conditioner on and blowing air the occupants had experienced an acid/chemical burning sensation to the eyes and throat. The failure was intermittent and had affected multiple occupants. The vehi
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: DRIVING TO WORK. POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND BRAKING SYSTEM SEEM TO BE INEFFECTIVE. INSTRUMENT PANEL SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE BATTERY INDICATOR DISPLAYING "BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM" FAULT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Gmc SIERRA 3500 — Year Comparison
How does 2019 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 19
- Recalls
- 7
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 25
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2019 Gmc SIERRA 3500