YearToAvoid

GMC Sierra 3500 Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)

Avoid GMC Sierra 3500 model years 2015, 2020, and 2022-2025, which carry complaint indexes from 75 to 100, the highest of any years covered. The 2012-2014 model years score lowest (index 10-20) and are rated Best out of 21 model years reviewed (2005-2025).

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2015Avoid 2020Avoid 2022Avoid 2023Avoid 2024Avoid 2025Best 2012Best 2013Best 2014

Model years
21
2005–2025
NHTSA complaints
416
Recall campaigns
38
Crashes reported
18
Fires reported
10
Top problem area
Electrical System

Sierra 3500 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

GMC Sierra 3500 problems and recalls by year

YearVerdictIndexComplaintsCrashesFiresRecallsTop issueMPGNCAP
2005Good3524010Brakes——
2006Good2511110Steering——
2007Good4016013Airbags——
2008Caution5525003Airbags——
2009Good55005Electrical System——
2010No verdict02005Electrical System——
2011Caution6020015Airbags——
2012Best109004Engine——
2013Best2014104Airbags——
2014Best157103Engine——
2015Avoid7531117Electrical System——
2016Good4519006Brakes——
2017Caution5013117Brakes——
2018Good3014006Brakes——
2019Caution6513117Brakes——
2020Avoid9551428Transmission & Powertrain——
2021Caution7020005Transmission & Powertrain——
2022Avoid9031303Electrical System——
2023Avoid8528501Transmission & Powertrain——
2024Avoid10047013Electrical System——
2025Avoid8016001Brakes——

Sierra 3500 years to avoid: what went wrong

2024 GMC Sierra 3500 Index 100 · 47 complaints · 3 recalls

NHTSA lists 47 complaints for the 2024 Sierra 3500, the highest count of any year, producing a complaint index of 100, the worst in the lineup. Electrical System issues lead at 28% (median 11,195 miles), followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 26% (median 49,500 miles). Owners reported steering that stayed off-center despite alignments, engines that would crank but not start due to control module failures, and tailgates dropping unexpectedly. Three recall campaigns cover this year, including a steering gear shaft fracture recall.

2020 GMC Sierra 3500 Index 95 · 51 complaints · 8 recalls

The 2020 Sierra 3500 has 51 complaints and a complaint index of 95, the second highest of any year. Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 37% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 108,000 miles. Owners described sudden loud bangs, rear brakes locking up, and violent skidding while accelerating, with GM reportedly unable to replicate the fault. Eight recall campaigns cover this year, including transmission control module software recalls and a tailgate electronic release recall.

2020 transmission & powertrain problems →

2022 GMC Sierra 3500 Index 90 · 31 complaints · 3 recalls

NHTSA records 31 complaints for the 2022 Sierra 3500, giving it a complaint index of 90. Electrical System complaints lead at 26% (median 35,654 miles), followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 19% (median 27,666 miles). Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in a crash, trailer brake controller failures leading to an accident, and headlights icing over. Three recall campaigns apply, including a park-outside brake control module recall.

2023 GMC Sierra 3500 Index 85 · 28 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2023 Sierra 3500 shows 28 complaints and a complaint index of 85. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 50% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 33,800 miles. Owners described transmission valve body and solenoid failures, sudden shudder and power loss between 75 and 25 mph, and tailgates opening unexpectedly while driving. One recall campaign, covering the power-unlatching tailgate, applies to this year.

2025 GMC Sierra 3500 Index 80 · 16 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2025 Sierra 3500 has 16 complaints and a complaint index of 80. Brakes lead the complaints at 31%, followed by Electrical System and Engine at 19% each (Engine median failure mileage 40,000 miles). Owners reported intermittent loss of trailer brake function while towing, a power steering hose that detached and caused loss of steering and brakes, and audio systems that cut out entirely for extended periods. One recall campaign, addressing a rear fuel pump issue, applies to this year.

2015 GMC Sierra 3500 Index 75 · 31 complaints · 7 recalls

NHTSA lists 31 complaints and a complaint index of 75 for the 2015 Sierra 3500. Electrical System problems make up 39% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 23,000 miles, followed by Engine issues at 23% (median 38,500 miles). Owners reported instrument panel dimming and headlight failures tied to snow plow installations, plus bright tow-mirror LED blinkers causing visibility complaints. Seven recall campaigns apply to this year, including two roof-rail airbag inflator recalls and a brake pedal pivot nut recall.

Most common GMC Sierra 3500 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

  1. Electrical System83 (20%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain83 (20%)
  3. Brakes78 (19%)
  4. Engine67 (16%)
  5. Airbags51 (12%)
  6. Other44 (11%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires36 (9%)
  8. Fuel System35 (8%)
  9. Steering31 (7%)
  10. Structure & Body24 (6%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the GMC Sierra 3500 should I avoid?
NHTSA data points to 2015, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 as Avoid years, with complaint indexes ranging from 75 to 100, the highest among the 21 model years covered.
What are the best GMC Sierra 3500 years?
The 2012, 2013, and 2014 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 10, 20, and 15 respectively, the lowest in the lineup.
Why is the 2024 Sierra 3500 rated Avoid?
The 2024 model has 47 complaints, the highest complaint count of any year, and a complaint index of 100. Electrical System issues make up 28% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 11,195 miles.
Does the GMC Sierra 3500 have transmission recalls?
Yes. The 2020 model year had two transmission control module software recalls, and Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 37% of its total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 108,000 miles.
How many complaints and recalls does the GMC Sierra 3500 have overall?
Across 2005-2025, NHTSA lists 416 total complaints and 38 recall campaigns for the Sierra 3500.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.