2017 GMC Sierra 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 11th of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 13 complaints, 7 recalls, 1 crash and 1 fire, with brakes as the top problem area (5 complaints, 38% share).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Sierra 3500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 13
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
Top 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes5 (38%)
- Electrical System4 (31%)
- Other3 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (23%)
- Engine2 (15%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe rear brakes overheating and smoking on long descents, in one case followed by a tire blowout.
- Some report spongy brakes and a near-total loss of stopping power at low speed, in one case leading to a collision.
- Drivers say headlights flicker or shake when the truck hits bumps or road cracks, a problem GM reportedly had no fix for.
- Several complaints mention needing unusually hard brake pedal pressure to stop the truck compared to when it was new.
- Owners report trailer brake controller warnings and faulty trailer braking response while towing.
- Transmission failures are described, including sudden loss of power with no warning and inability to shift from park into drive.
2017 GMC Sierra 3500 recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V047000Feb 2, 2023Fuel System22,132 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel:storage:tank assembly
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option. The rear fuel tank may collapse and prevent the fuel pump from transferring fuel to the front tank, resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and fuel pump module, replacing them as necessary. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on March 15, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 21, 2023. 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 N222368030.
- NHTSA 21V496000Jul 1, 2021Other338,020 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 19V328000Apr 25, 2019Engine318,374 vehicles
Engine
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater. The engine block heater cord or the terminals that connect the heater cord to the block heater may short circuit and fail.
Risk: A short-circuit may damage the engine components and increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will contact owners, dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Additionally, in Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles, dealers will install a new rerouted heater cord. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N182206310.
2017 compared with other Sierra 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives it a Complaint Index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 11th out of 21 model years for this truck. Brakes are the top-reported problem area, with 5 of 13 complaints (38%) tied to that system.
- What is the top problem area for the 2017 Sierra 3500?
- Brakes lead with 5 complaints (38% share), including reports of overheating, spongy pedal feel, and reduced stopping power, at a median mileage of 21,000.
- Does the 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2017 Sierra 3500, covering the fuel system, engine block heater, seat belts, and airbags. None are marked do-not-drive.
- How does 2017 compare to other Sierra 3500 years?
- With a Complaint Index of 50, 2017 ranks in the middle of the 21 model years tracked. Years like 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 score worse with Avoid verdicts, while 2012, 2013, and 2014 rank as Best.