GMC Sierra years to avoid
More than twice the Sierra's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best GMC Sierra years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
GMC Sierra complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common GMC Sierra problems
All model years combined.
- Brakes1,406
- Visibility505
- Transmission313
- Steering253
- Electrical252
- Engine230
- Body200
- Airbags193
- Fuel system168
- Suspension165
- Lights165
- Acceleration160
GMC Sierra problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 74 | 61 | Transmission | 35,000 | 0 | 5 | |
| 2016 | 95 | 6 | Airbags | 64,000 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2015 | 73 | 53 | Lights | 3,000 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2014 | 49 | 101 | Lights | 3,000 | 11 | 5 | |
| 2013 | 76 | 39 | Airbags | 8,000 | 3 | 4 | Fewest complaints |
| 2012 | 84 | 29 | Electrical | 31,450 | 2 | 4 | |
| 2011 | 81 | 43 | Airbags | 50,000 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 75 | 34 | Airbags | 54,000 | 0 | 3 | Fewest complaints |
| 2009 | 83 | 37 | Airbags | 42,000 | 1 | 3 | Fewest complaints |
| 2008 | 70 | 68 | Airbags | 68,700 | 2 | 4 | |
| 2007 | 73 | 59 | Brakes | 70,000 | 2 | 6 | |
| 2006 | 75 | 53 | Brakes | 46,000 | 4 | 3 | |
| 2005 | 44 | 117 | Brakes | 60,000 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2004 | 28 | 188 | Brakes | 49,752 | 7 | 11 | Avoid |
| 2003 | 26 | 206 | Brakes | 56,500 | 6 | 8 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 21 | 249 | Brakes | 40,490 | 4 | 23 | Avoid |
| 2001 | 17 | 263 | Brakes | 62,000 | 4 | 30 | Avoid |
| 2000 | - | 443 | Brakes | 67,666 | 8 | 44 | |
| 1999 | - | 600 | Brakes | 62,000 | 5 | 51 | |
| 1998 | - | 190 | Brakes | 72,000 | 0 | 16 | |
| 1997 | - | 238 | Brakes | 78,000 | 0 | 6 | |
| 1996 | - | 246 | Visibility | 84,000 | 2 | 19 | |
| 1995 | - | 259 | Visibility | 125,000 | 6 | 19 | |
| 1994 | - | 190 | Visibility | 110,000 | 3 | 2 | |
| 1993 | - | 72 | Visibility | 75,000 | 2 | 4 | |
| 1992 | - | 30 | Visibility | 3 | 2 | ||
| 1991 | - | 12 | Brakes | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1990 | - | 18 | Brakes | 1 | 1 |
Recalls 56
Questions about the GMC Sierra
What years of the GMC Sierra should you avoid?
2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Each has more than twice the GMC Sierra's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2001 alone has 263, mostly about brakes and engine.
What is the best year for a used GMC Sierra?
2010, 2009 and 2013 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (34, 37 and 39).
What is the most common problem with the GMC Sierra?
Brakes, with 1,406 complaints across all years, followed by visibility (505) and transmission (313).
How many recalls does the GMC Sierra have?
56 recalls between 1990 and 2017. The 2014 model year has the most, with 11.
VIN decoder
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