GMC Sierra 3500 years to avoid
The GMC Sierra 3500 years to avoid are 2020, 2024, 2001, 2023, 2015, 2022, 2008, 2011, 2007, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2009, 2010 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1996 is the cleanest year on record.
752
Total complaints
46
Recall campaigns
1996–2026
Years covered
14
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Sierra 3500 years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | High complaint rate | 72 | |
| 2024 | High complaint rate | 62 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 44 | |
| 2023 | High complaint rate | 41 | |
| 2015 | High complaints + open investigation | 40 | |
| 2022 | High complaint rate | 39 | |
| 2008 | Open safety investigation | 27 | |
| 2011 | Open safety investigation | 24 | |
| 2007 | Open safety investigation | 19 | |
| 2013 | Open safety investigation | 15 | |
| 2012 | Open safety investigation | 15 | |
| 2014 | Open safety investigation | 10 | |
| 2009 | Open safety investigation | 8 | |
| 2010 | Open safety investigation | 2 |
Every Sierra 3500 year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2025 | 25 | 1 | |
| 2024avoid | 62 | 3 | |
| 2023avoid | 41 | 1 | |
| 2022avoid | 39 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 28 | 5 | |
| 2020avoid | 72 | 8 | |
| 2019 | 19 | 7 | |
| 2018 | 20 | 6 | |
| 2017 | 18 | 7 | |
| 2016 | 27 | 6 | |
| 2015avoid | 40 | 7 | |
| 2014avoid | 10 | 3 | |
| 2013avoid | 15 | 4 | |
| 2012avoid | 15 | 4 | |
| 2011avoid | 24 | 5 | |
| 2010avoid | 2 | 5 | |
| 2009avoid | 8 | 5 | |
| 2008avoid | 27 | 3 | |
| 2007avoid | 19 | 3 | |
| 2006 | 14 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 29 | 1 | |
| 2004 | 29 | 1 | |
| 2003 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2002 | 29 | 3 | |
| 2001avoid | 44 | 3 | |
| 2000 | 30 | 4 | |
| 1999 | 25 | 3 | |
| 1998 | 12 | 4 | |
| 1997 | 15 | 3 | |
| 1996 | 2 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst GMC Sierra 3500 years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 3500 years to avoid are 2020, 2024, 2001, 2023, 2015, 2022, 2008, 2011, 2007, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2009, 2010. The cleanest year on record is 1996.
What is the best year for the GMC Sierra 3500?
By complaint volume, 1996 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Sierra 3500 years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the GMC Sierra 3500 have?
Across all model years, the Sierra 3500 has 46 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 752 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.