VehicleVerdict

2017 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 472 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median Sierra 1500 year — the 2017 model ranks #8 of 33 Sierra 1500 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (117), brakes (107), and engine (58), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

472

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Sierra 1500 years?

See all Sierra 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission11725%
Brakes10723%
Engine5812%
Electrical System5512%
Other357%
Steering255%
Visibility & Wipers123%
Speed Control102%
Lighting92%
Body & Structure82%
Driver Assistance82%
Suspension82%
Fuel System71%
Tires & Wheels51%
Airbags41%
Seats20%
Seat Belts10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V761000BrakesOctober 24, 2019 · 652,967 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.

Consequence

Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.

19V645000BrakesSeptember 6, 2019 · 3,456,719 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

Consequence

As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.

17V487000Child SeatAugust 3, 2017 · 29,647 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The owner's manual for the affected vehicles may be missing instructions on how to use the tether anchorage and child restraint anchorage systems. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

Consequence

If the instructions are missing from the owner's manual, the child seat may be installed incorrectly and not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will provide a corrected insert for the owners manual, free of charge. The recall began on September 25, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 17307.

17V437000Seat BeltsJuly 10, 2017 · 40,683 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence

A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.

16V651000Seat BeltsSeptember 8, 2016 · 3,640,162 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence

A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WAS DRIVING 50MPH AND WAS BEHIND A SEMI AS I STARTED TO PASS HIM I NOTICED AN ONCOMING CAR AND DECIDED THERE WASNT ENOUGH TIME TO PASS SO I STARTED TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN AND GET BACK BEHIND THE SEMI AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP WHICH PRODUCED AN UNCONTROLLABLE SPIN IN WHICH I DID A 180…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 21, 2021 · crash

FAULTY BRAKE VACUUM PUMP LEADING TO REDUCED BRAKING FORCE UNDER REPEATED USE OR IN A PANNIC SITUATION LEADING TO A COLLISION. I HIT A DEER BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE STOP OR SUFFICIENTLY SLOW DOWN TO AVOID HITTING IT. I NOTICED REDUCED BRAKING FORCE AND A HARD BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE READ OF SEVERAL REPORTS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 13, 2018 · crash

THE SAME ISSUE AS GM SERVICE BULLETIN PI1513F (RADIATOR LEAK) HAS HAPPENED ON MY 2017 GMC SIERRA. THIS SERVICE BULLETIN CURRENTLY COVERS 2014 - 2016 MODELS AND NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO COVER 2017 MODELS (AND POSSIBLY 2018). THIS ISSUE IS A RADIATOR THAT LEAKS ON THE PASSENGER OR DRIVERS SIDE ON THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 3, 2020

I WAS DRIVING 50MPH AND WAS BEHIND A SEMI AS I STARTED TO PASS HIM I NOTICED AN ONCOMING CAR AND DECIDED THERE WASNT ENOUGH TIME TO PASS SO I STARTED TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN AND GET BACK BEHIND THE SEMI AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP WHICH PRODUCED AN UNCONTROLLABLE SPIN IN WHICH I DID A 180…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 21, 2021 · crash

I WAS TOWING A TRAILER FOR APPROX: 5 MILES WHEN I NOTICE A STRANGE ODOR AND I PULLED OVER AND REALIZED THE TRUCK HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE BY IT SELF AND POLICE AND GOOD SAMARITIN TRIED TO PUT IT OUT BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL . HENCE THE TRUCK AND TRAILER WERE A TOTAL LOSS ALONG WITH $ 750 WORTH HAND TOOLS.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 15, 2017 · fire

2017 GMC Sierra 1500 — common questions

Is the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 472 complaints put the 2017 model at #8 of 33 Sierra 1500 years. It is one of the Sierra 1500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 Sierra 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (117 complaints), brakes (107 complaints), engine (58 complaints).

Does the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 1500 years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2020, 2023, 2017, 2016, 2008, 2024, 2018, 2011, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2012. The cleanest record among Sierra 1500 years belongs to 1995.

How safe is the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.