GMC Sierra years to avoid
The GMC Sierra years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 1998, 2004, 1994, 2005, 2014, 1993 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1979 is the cleanest year on record.
4,896
Total complaints
63
Recall campaigns
1976–2017
Years covered
14
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Sierra years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 721 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 557 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 333 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 327 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 310 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 302 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 291 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 248 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 230 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 224 | |
| 1994 | High complaint rate | 221 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 152 | |
| 2014 | High complaint rate | 132 | |
| 1993 | High complaint rate | 109 |
Every Sierra year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 77 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2015 | 67 | 6 | |
| 2014avoid | 132 | 12 | |
| 2013 | 46 | 3 | |
| 2012 | 46 | 2 | |
| 2011 | 67 | 2 | |
| 2010 | 43 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 48 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 84 | 2 | |
| 2007 | 71 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 65 | 6 | |
| 2005avoid | 152 | 11 | |
| 2004avoid | 224 | 10 | |
| 2003avoid | 248 | 9 | |
| 2002avoid | 291 | 7 | |
| 2001avoid | 333 | 7 | |
| 2000avoid | 557 | 12 | |
| 1999avoid | 721 | 9 | |
| 1998avoid | 230 | 0 | |
| 1997avoid | 302 | 0 | |
| 1996avoid | 310 | 2 | |
| 1995avoid | 327 | 6 | |
| 1994avoid | 221 | 3 | |
| 1993avoid | 109 | 3 | |
| 1992 | 33 | 4 | |
| 1991 | 12 | 2 | |
| 1990 | 30 | 2 | |
| 1989 | 22 | 2 | |
| 1988 | 6 | 2 | |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1983 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1979 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1977 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1976 | 2 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst GMC Sierra years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 1998, 2004, 1994, 2005, 2014, 1993. The cleanest year on record is 1979.
What is the best year for the GMC Sierra?
By complaint volume, 1979 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Sierra years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the GMC Sierra have?
Across all model years, the Sierra has 63 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 4,896 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.