2015 GMC Sierra 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2015 GMC Sierra 3500 has 31 complaints, 7 recalls, and a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst among 21 model years with data. NHTSA lists Electrical System as the top problem area, making 2015 an Avoid year relative to other Sierra 3500 years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 Sierra 3500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 31
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
Top 2015 GMC Sierra 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System12 (39%)
- Engine7 (23%)
- Brakes4 (13%)
- Airbags3 (10%)
- Other3 (10%)
- Steering3 (10%)
- Fuel System2 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (6%)
- Seat Belts1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report dim instrument panels and headlights that fail to illuminate, sometimes tied to aftermarket snow plow installations.
- Some describe headlights and taillights as too dim to safely see the road at night, with one owner reporting a collision with road debris as a result.
- Owners report brake pedal problems, including one case where brakes locked up on the highway and the truck was later declared unrepairable by the dealer.
- Some describe tow mirror LED blinkers as excessively bright, making oncoming traffic hard to judge.
- Owners report white smoke and an exhaust smell near the turbo area, with no warning light indicating a problem.
- One owner described the truck failing to switch between 4WD and 2WD along with the driver seat and brake pedal moving on their own, attributed to electrical module issues.
2015 GMC Sierra 3500 recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V504000Jul 1, 2021Airbags410,019 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 18, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Phase I owner notification letters were mailed on May 5, 2022. Phase II owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM's number for this recall is N202324251.
- NHTSA 20V736000Nov 25, 2020Airbags9,279 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator.
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RRAB modules on the left and/or right side, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on December 22, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Note: GM filed a new recall, number 21V-504 that supersedes this recall. All vehicles previously recalled under 20V-736 will now be repaired under the new recall number 21V-504. GM's numbers for this recall are N202309680, N202309681, and N202309682.
- NHTSA 18V578000Aug 30, 2018Brakes42,280 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18278. Note: The vehicles in this recall need this additional remedy despite being covered by recall 16V069 for brake pedal loosening.
2015 compared with other Sierra 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2015 Sierra 3500 a complaint index of 75, ranked 6th worst out of 21 model years, with 31 complaints and 7 recalls. Compared to other Sierra 3500 years, it carries an Avoid verdict.
- What is the top problem area for the 2015 Sierra 3500?
- Electrical System complaints make up 39% of all reported issues (12 of 31 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 23,000 miles.
- Does the 2015 GMC Sierra 3500 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2015 Sierra 3500, covering airbags, brakes, fuel system, and seat belts, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
- What years of the GMC Sierra 3500 should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 also carry Avoid verdicts, while 2012, 2013, and 2014 rank as Best years for this model.
- Were there brake problems reported for the 2015 Sierra 3500?
- NHTSA recorded 4 brake complaints for the 2015 Sierra 3500, including one crash, with a median failure mileage of 46,500 miles, and two related brake recalls were issued.