VehicleVerdict

2017 GMC Sierra 2500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 51 owner complaints run below the Sierra 2500 median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (10), brakes (8), and electrical system (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

51

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Sierra 2500 years?

Sierra 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted193 complaints1994: 2 complaints1997: 14 complaints1998: 19 complaints1999: 42 complaints2000: 62 complaints2001: 171 complaints2002: 164 complaints2003: 193 complaints2004: 175 complaints2005: 159 complaints2006: 78 complaints2007: 98 complaints2008: 78 complaints2009: 37 complaints2010: 11 complaints2011: 81 complaints2012: 39 complaints2013: 57 complaints2014: 39 complaints2015: 100 complaints2016: 75 complaints2017: 51 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 38 complaints2020: 106 complaints2021: 63 complaints2022: 52 complaints2023: 34 complaints2024: 133 complaints2025: 34 complaints2026: 9 complaints
Sierra 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sierra 2500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other1020%
Brakes816%
Engine612%
Transmission612%
Electrical System612%
Fuel System36%
Speed Control36%
Seat Belts24%
Airbags24%
Suspension12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Lighting12%
Steering12%
Driver Assistance12%

Does the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 have recalls?

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

23V047000Fuel SystemFebruary 2, 2023 · 22,132 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option. The rear fuel tank may collapse and prevent the fuel pump from transferring fuel to the front tank, resulting in an engine stall.

Consequence

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and fuel pump module, replacing them as necessary. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on March 15, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 21, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222368030.

21V496000Electrical SystemJuly 1, 2021 · 338,020 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord. An electrical short-circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cable or in the terminals that connect the heater cable to the block heater.

Consequence

An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace engine block heaters and heater cords. Vehicles that have this feature disabled as a remedy to the safety condition will be contacted and offered replacement block heaters and heater cords under a separate customer satisfaction program, free of charge. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted, free of charge. Interim owner notifications were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 4, 2022. Customers may call GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 212329840.

19V328000EngineApril 25, 2019 · 318,374 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater. The engine block heater cord or the terminals that connect the heater cord to the block heater may short circuit and fail.

Consequence

A short-circuit may damage the engine components and increase the risk of fire.

Remedy

GM will contact owners, dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Additionally, in Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles, dealers will install a new rerouted heater cord. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N182206310.

17V567000Seat BeltsSeptember 14, 2017 · 38,048 units

Defect

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks. The front seat belt retractor assemblies were built with the incorrect torsion bar. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence

The seat belt retractors may not perform as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front seat belt retractor assemblies, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's numbers for this recall are 17368, 17375, and 17376.

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.

“DURAMAX TICKING NOISE. CONSISTENT TEMPO TICKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE BAY. AUDIBLE ONLY WHEN MOVING AT LOW SPEEDS DUE TO INCREASED VEHICLE/ROAD NOISE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. NOT CONSISTENT WITH RPM OR SPEED. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SYMPTOMS AT THIS TIME. DEALER SAYS NOT COMMON, BUT APPEARS COMMON ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 1, 2018

“I was in an accident on October 20th 2022 while driving home. U had just reached the top of a sharp crest on a two way road. As I started to straighten out the wheels coming out of the turn I noticed my direction was still as if I was turning the wheel. I tried to brake and pressed the brake but it…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 20, 2022 · crash

“The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 17, 2023

“Break lights activate by them selves. Can be driving, parked, vehicle off. Parked and locked. The break lights activate randomly. Most recently car was parked in drivevway over the coarse of 2 days. Break lights came on and off until batteries were dead. When parked I Can hear clicking noise coming…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 15, 2021

“On December 29, 2022 I stopped at the bank for 2 minute and when I got back to my truck I noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. I immediately called 911 and luckily some nice people were able to get my hood up safely and the bank provided a fire extinguisher before the fire trucks arrived.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 29, 2022 · fire

2017 GMC Sierra 2500 — common questions

Is the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sierra 2500: 51 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2017 Sierra 2500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (10 complaints), brakes (8 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints).

Does the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra 2500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 2500 years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2024, 2020, 2015, 2007, 2011, 2008, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among Sierra 2500 years belongs to 1994.

How safe is the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 earned an overall rating of 4 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.