Major Problems with GMC Sierra 3500 Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used GMC Sierra 3500 to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for GMC Sierra 3500

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of GMC Sierra 3500.

Model Year	Complaints
2007 Sierra 3500	15
2006 Sierra 3500	10
2005 Sierra 3500	23
2004 Sierra 3500	23
2003 Sierra 3500	7
2002 Sierra 3500	20
2001 Sierra 3500	35
2000 Sierra 3500	24
1999 Sierra 3500	19

Worst 3 GMC Sierra 3500 complaints

2000 GMC Sierra 3500 ROOF AND PILLARS Victims: 2 Mileage: 143000 miles

2003 GMC Sierra 3500 RETRACTOR Victims: 1 Mileage: 71000 miles

1999 GMC Sierra 3500 SEATS Victims: 1

Browse GMC Sierra 3500 complaints by category

Problems with SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from GMC Sierra 3500 owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
SERVICE BRAKES vehicle is equipped with factory integrated trailer brake control (itbc). back in jan. 2011 i got a message in the...	29 ~ 97283 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl * the contact owns 2007 gmc sierra 3500. while driving at speeds of 45 mph the contact depressed the...	24 ~ 49992 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC failure occurs below 15mph while doing a normal stop on both wet and dry road (with no contaminants on the...	11 ~ 36318 miles
AIR BAGS tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2007 gmc sierra 3500. the contact received a recall notification of nhtsa campaign...	9 ~ 21556 miles
STEERING on march 8 2010 i took my car that i bought 2 years ago to an official emissions inspection station...	9 ~ 54486 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES tl* - the contact called regarding the 2005 gmc sierra. the passenger's front tire was replaced by the dealer at...	9 ~ 10556 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl*the contact owns a 2007 gmc sierra 3500. while driving 45 mph the brake light warning and the abs lights...	8 ~ 45660 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING tl* the contact owns a 2007 gmc sierra 3500. the contact stated that the vehicle was burning oil more rapidly...	7 ~ 40657 miles
ENGINE tl* the contact owns a 2007 gmc sierra 3500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v438000 (engine and...	6 ~ 90183 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM driving 75mph in heavy highway traffic the check engine light came on and the truck lost power and slowed to...	5 ~ 80060 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra 3500. while driving approximately 40 mph the vehicle became resistant to acceleration....	5 ~ 61882 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL tl*- the contact states that sometime in august of 2006 fuel injected number 8 failed in her vehicle. on december...	5 ~ 122633 miles
PARKING BRAKE tl*the contact owns a 2005 gmc sierra 3500. whenever the parking brake was engaged with the gear shifter placed in...	4 ~ 43500 miles
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM parts of the cluster tachometer fuel gauge oil pressure amp gauge have failed one after the other. although 04 model...	4 ~ 38750 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING tl*the contact owns a 2006 gmc sierra 3500. while driving 10-75 mph the engine stalled. there was a loss of...	4 ~ 43325 miles
POWER TRAIN transmission cooler line leak could leak out all fluid and cause transmission failure. the consumer was informed the vehicle needed...	3 ~ 19501 miles
TIRES no event just every day driving and a tire a year leaks from inner lining to form a bubble on	3 ~ 46983 miles
SIDEWALL > TIRES no event just every day driving and a tire a year leaks from inner lining to form a bubble on	3 ~ 15316 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN tl*the contact owns a 2007 gmc sierra 3500. while driving 45 mph the brake light warning and the abs lights...	3 ~ 16663 miles
SUSPENSION took my truck in for state safety inspection. i was told that my right front hub & bearing assembly had...	3 ~ 68862 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS dt*: the contact stated while driving at 35 mph the vehicle was involved in a crash. the vehicle was hit...	3 ~ 81667 miles
SEATS the front end of the vehicle vibrated. the transmission brakes bucket seats and differential unit malfunctioned. ak jb...	3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER this truck has the same problems as the 2007 model. the ignition switch parking brake and fuel lines all have...	2 ~ 180500 miles
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra 3500 hd. the contact stated that there was a large puddle of...	2 ~ 58500 miles
HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING tl* the contact owned a 2005 gmc 3500 truck. the contact stated that the vehicle was parked outside his home...	2 ~ 35000 miles
COOLING UNIT AND LINES > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN transmission cooling pipes have been replace two times in last than 20 months because of fluid leaking. *tr...	2 ~ 34605 miles
UNDERBODY SHIELDS > FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE reference a gmc 2004 sierra 3500 4 wheel drive pick up truck 6.6l diesel engine with 6 speed manual transmission....	2 ~ 73500 miles
HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING exited the interstate and while rounding a corner when i started braking at low rpm the steering locked up and...	2 ~ 34700 miles
HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS > TAILGATE > BODY dt*: the contact stated while standing on the tailgate the tailgate cables fractured without warning. no injuries were sustained. the	2 ~ 66500 miles
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING tl*the contact owns a 2006 gmc sierra 3500. while driving 10-75 mph the engine stalled. there was a loss of...	2 ~ 150 miles
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS while applying the brakes a loud noise was heard from the front. consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for...	2
HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS > DOOR > BODY gmc savanna & chevy express/sierra van side doors (60/40's ?). during service visit for defective speedometer at grossinger gmc in...	2 ~ 20000 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION consumer states while driving at highway speed the vehicle pulls violently to the right. nlm dt...	2
EXTERIOR > REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY vehicle bounces all over the road both outside mirrors vibrate due to this. dealer has balanced tires did not remedy	2
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING there is fuel leakage coming from vehicle vehicle will leak fuel from engine. there is a big amount of fuel	2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER it takes a half and hour before fuel gauge will register. consumer feels that it is dangerous because there are	2
FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER it takes a half and hour before fuel gauge will register. consumer feels that it is dangerous because there are	2
DIFFERENTIAL UNIT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN the front end of the vehicle vibrated. the transmission brakes bucket seats and differential unit malfunctioned. ak jb...	2
BODY > STRUCTURE i almost ran into another car because the other driver stopped suddenly and i had to pump the brakes over...	1 ~ 240000 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL i first noticed that the anti-lock brakes were activating at slow speeds ( 5-10 mph ) under dry road...	1 ~ 154163 miles
DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY tl*the contact owns a 2005 gmc sierra 3500. the contact stated that the heater and defrost failed numerous times the...	1 ~ 38000 miles
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc 3500. the contact stated that while driving 10 mph the engine stalled without...	1 ~ 19000 miles
REAR > SUSPENSION tl*the contact owns a 2007 gmc sierra 3500. after the contact's spouse had driven the vehicle for several hours it...	1 ~ 114000 miles
STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2007 gmc sierra 3500. the contact stated that the vehicle was burning oil more rapidly...	1 ~ 36000 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC anti-lock brake sensors on the front of my 2004 gmc 3500 dually diesel were malfunctioning creating extended low speed stops...	1 ~ 35000 miles
WHEELS tl*the contact owns a 2001 gmc sierra c3. when the vehicle approaches a stop the abs grab and make it...	1 ~ 35000 miles
POWER ASSIST > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl*the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra 3500. while attempting a turn the power steering and power brakes failed. a...	1 ~ 40000 miles
WHEEL SPEED SENSOR > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC front right abs wheel sensor failed 2001 sierra truck causing sudden and unexpected pulling to the right as the abs...	1 ~ 118800 miles
TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) > POWER TRAIN reference a gmc 2004 sierra 3500 4 wheel drive pick up truck 6.6l diesel engine with 6 speed manual transmission....	1 ~ 87000 miles
CENTER SUPPORT BEARING > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN reference a gmc 2004 sierra 3500 4 wheel drive pick up truck 6.6l diesel engine with 6 speed manual transmission....	1 ~ 87000 miles
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER injector failures on 2001 gmc duramax 6.6 diesel engine. injectors failed and replaced under warranty at 167 000 miles failed...	1 ~ 232825 miles
WHEEL SPEED SENSOR > ANTILOCK > SERVICE BRAKES, AIR i was involved in a crash where i think the brakes on my 2001 gmc sierra failed to stop my...	1 ~ 93000 miles
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE road debris bounced up and broke off the shifter cable rendering my shifter inoperable. i had to crawl under the	1 ~ 19000 miles
RETRACTOR > FRONT > SEAT BELTS dt*: the contact stated while driving at 35 mph the vehicle was involved in a crash. the vehicle was hit...	1 ~ 71000 miles
TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE fuel tank under negative pressure by apparent stuck valve caused fuel tank rupture. happened twice. gm engineers said no defect...	1 ~ 75000 miles
EQUIPMENT gmc 3500 crew cab dually with the 6.6 duramax diesel and allison automatic can to perform its designed job with...	1 ~ 3600 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i have a gmc pickup truck with a diesel engine that has a chronic overheating issue. i am not the...	1 ~ 1500 miles
INJECTORS > FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE tl*the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra dormax diesel (na). the contact stated that the fuel injectors produce white smoke....	1 ~ 30000 miles
ANTI-THEFT DEVICES > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT about april of 2005 my truck started shutting off while i was driving down the road. at this time it...	1
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > HYDRAULIC > DRIVELINE the parking brake was on and the vehicle was parked on a slight incline and without warning the vehicle rolled...	1
LATCH > TAILGATE > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES i was standing on the tailgate of my 2001 gmc k3500 preparing to unload my new refridgerator when the cables...	1 ~ 45000 miles
PUMP > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING the shaft pump broke which resulted in vehicle losing power steering and brakes. *jb...	1 ~ 33000 miles
ROOF AND PILLARS > BODY > STRUCTURE a 2000 gmc c3500 sierra pick up truck rolled over causing the roof to collapse which caused blunt force trauma	1 ~ 143000 miles
DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC brakes are weak and they pull right or left at different times they also squeal and some times smoke. when...	1
DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE there is fuel leakage coming from vehicle vehicle will leak fuel from engine. there is a big amount of fuel	1
FILLER PIPE AND CAP > TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE when vehicle is being filled fuel spews from filler neck because filler neck is small. dealer and manufacturer have been	1
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the check engine light came on and vehicle began to run roughly and stall the vehicle was inspected and dealer...	1
FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC consumer state while traveling without any indication vehicle lost all power steering and no brakes traveling at 35 mph. please	1
MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING cab keeps filling up with exhaust fumes causing passenger to get sick. dealer claims engine gets too hot causing engine	1

FAQ

What year GMC Sierra 3500 is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 9 years, GMC Sierra 3500 models of 2003, 2006, 2007 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for GMC Sierra 3500?

GMC Sierra 3500 models of 2001 and 2000 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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