2019 GMC Sierra 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2019 GMC Sierra 3500 has a Complaint Index of 65 and ranks 8th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 13 complaints, 7 recall campaigns, and one fire and one injury reported. Brakes and electrical issues are the top complaint areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 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
- 1
- Top issue
- Brakes
Top 2019 GMC Sierra 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes4 (31%)
- Electrical System4 (31%)
- Other4 (31%)
- Engine3 (23%)
- Airbags1 (8%)
- Fuel System1 (8%)
- Steering1 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Power steering and braking effectiveness dropped out together, with a battery-charging system warning appearing on the instrument panel.
- Trailer brake controllers stopped working and displayed a 'Service Trailer Brakes' message across different trailers.
- Dash lights and radio displays intermittently went dark or extremely dim, with the dimmer control having no effect.
- Side-view cameras failed while changing lanes due to a poorly connected wire causing low voltage.
- The engine entered reduced power/regen mode while towing, accompanied by a loud bang and hissing from a hose that blew off the turbo.
- Owners reported the in-tank electric fuel pump needing replacement, with dealers warning it could fail without notice.
2019 GMC Sierra 3500 recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V325000May 21, 2026Airbags4,315 vehicles
Air bags
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262557310. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 26V166.
- NHTSA 26V166000Mar 19, 2026Airbags2,819 vehicles
Air bags
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262549710. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V432000Jun 26, 2025Airbags1,658 vehicles
Air bags
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Sierra 2500, 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increases the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2025. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252513060.
2019 compared with other Sierra 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives it a Complaint Index of 65 with a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 21 model years of the Sierra 3500. It sits in the middle of the pack, worse than years like 2012-2014 but better than 2015 or 2020.
- What are the most common problems on the 2019 Sierra 3500?
- Brakes and the electrical system each account for 31% of complaints (4 each), followed by engine issues at 23%. Brake-related complaints had a median failure mileage of 9,470 miles.
- Does the 2019 GMC Sierra 3500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2019 Sierra 3500, covering airbags (roof-rail modules), the fuel system, and Duramax diesel engine block heaters. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Should I avoid the 2019 GMC Sierra 3500?
- It is not the worst year for this model — that distinction goes to years like 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, which carry higher Complaint Index scores. The 2019 model's Caution rating reflects moderate brake and electrical complaints plus 7 recalls.