GMC Sierra 3500 years to avoid
More than twice the Sierra 3500's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best GMC Sierra 3500 years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
GMC Sierra 3500 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 3500 problems
All model years combined.
- Brakes151
- Transmission93
- Electrical87
- Engine78
- Fuel system60
- Airbags56
- Steering42
- Tires32
- Body31
- Visibility17
- Driver assistance17
- Lights16
GMC Sierra 3500 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | - | 5 | Transmission | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2025 | - | 18 | Brakes | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2024 | - | 52 | Electrical | 40,600 | 3 | 0 | Avoid |
| 2023 | - | 28 | Transmission | 1 | 5 | ||
| 2022 | 49 | 33 | Electrical | 31,308 | 3 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 68 | 21 | Transmission | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | 30 | 51 | Transmission | 29,400 | 8 | 4 | Avoid |
| 2019 | 73 | 13 | Brakes | 53,004 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 77 | 14 | Brakes | 53,800 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 76 | 13 | Brakes | 25,000 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 70 | 19 | Brakes | 27,500 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 52 | 31 | Electrical | 40,000 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 88 | 7 | Acceleration | 3 | 1 | Fewest complaints | |
| 2013 | 79 | 14 | Airbags | 61,000 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 85 | 9 | Engine | 31,200 | 4 | 0 | Fewest complaints |
| 2011 | 70 | 20 | Airbags | 97,500 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 92 | 2 | Electrical | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2009 | 88 | 5 | Transmission | 5 | 0 | Fewest complaints | |
| 2008 | 64 | 25 | Airbags | 68,000 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 77 | 16 | Airbags | 36,000 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2006 | 78 | 11 | Steering | 54,000 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 67 | 24 | Brakes | 55,000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2004 | 67 | 24 | Brakes | 87,000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 89 | 7 | Brakes | 71,000 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2002 | 68 | 20 | Brakes | 80,000 | 2 | 3 | |
| 2001 | 50 | 36 | Brakes | 65,500 | 2 | 3 | |
| 2000 | - | 26 | Brakes | 57,007 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1999 | - | 19 | Brakes | 60,000 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1998 | - | 12 | Brakes | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1997 | - | 10 | Brakes | 1 | 4 | ||
| 1996 | - | 1 | Electrical | 0 | 0 |
Recalls 45
GMC Sierra 3500 warranty extensions
Repairs the manufacturer covers beyond the normal warranty. Check whether your car and mileage qualify before paying for one of these.
GMC Sierra 3500 in the news
Questions about the GMC Sierra 3500
What years of the GMC Sierra 3500 should you avoid?
2020 and 2024. Each has more than twice the GMC Sierra 3500's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2024 alone has 52, mostly about electrical and transmission.
What is the best year for a used GMC Sierra 3500?
2009, 2014 and 2012 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (5, 7 and 9).
What is the most common problem with the GMC Sierra 3500?
Brakes, with 151 complaints across all years, followed by transmission (93) and electrical (87).
How many recalls does the GMC Sierra 3500 have?
45 recalls between 1996 and 2026. The 2020 model year has the most, with 8.
VIN decoder
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Buying a used GMC Sierra 3500?
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