2017 GMC Sierra 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
40/100
#10 most-complained of 16 Sierra 3500 years
The 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 has a Complaint Index of 40 and ranks 10th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Good" rating relative to other Sierra 3500 years. Brakes are the top problem area with 5 complaints (38% share), and NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this year.
- Complaints
- 13
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report rear brakes smoking and overheating during towing, in one case followed by a tire blowout.
- Some owners describe spongy or unresponsive brakes, including a low-speed parking lot incident where the brakes failed and the truck hit another vehicle.
- Headlights are reported to shake or flicker at the slightest bump or road crack, with no fix offered.
- Drivers report needing to press the brake pedal much harder than when the truck was new to stop the vehicle.
- The 6L90 transmission was reported to fail without warning at high mileage, requiring the truck to be backed out of traffic.
- Owners describe rear axle and wheel bearing failures with smoke, squealing, and fluid leaking from the axle tube at moderate mileage.
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?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2017 model has a Complaint Index of 40 and ranks 10th worst of 16 model years, making it a "Good" choice relative to other Sierra 3500 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 GMC Sierra 3500?
- Brakes are the top problem area with 5 complaints (38% share), followed by the electrical system with 4 complaints (31%) and transmission/powertrain issues with 3 complaints (23%).
- Does the 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2017 Sierra 3500, covering the fuel system, engine block heater, seat belts, and airbags. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do brake problems occur on the 2017 Sierra 3500?
- The median mileage at failure for brake-related complaints on the 2017 Sierra 3500 is 21,000 miles.
- How does the 2017 Sierra 3500 compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 40, the 2017 model is far better than the 2024 model (index 100, "Avoid") but has more complaints than the 2014 model (index 13, "Best").