VehicleVerdict

2000 GMC Sierra 3500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 sits mid-pack among Sierra 3500 years: 30 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 24, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 3 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 40% of all reports (12 of 30), far ahead of transmission at 4.

30

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Sierra 3500 years?

See all Sierra 3500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1240%
Transmission413%
Body & Structure310%
Engine310%
Tires & Wheels27%
Suspension13%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Electrical System13%
Other13%
Seats13%
Steering13%

Does the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 have recalls?

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

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

04V562000OtherNovember 26, 2004 · 1,660 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.

00V054000SteeringFebruary 28, 2000 · 1,462 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CHASSIS CABS. THE TAPERED HOLE IN THE DRAG LINK END THAT ATTACHES TO THE PITMAN ARM TAPERED BALL STUD MAY BE MACHINED TOO DEEP CAUSING THE HOLE TO BE OVERSIZED. A DRAG LINK WITH AN OVERSIZED HOLE MAY NOT "SEAT" THE PITMAN ARM TAPERED BALL WHEN ASSEMBLED. THIS COULD CAUSE HIGHER THAN NORMAL FRICTION BETWEEN COMPONENTS DURING OPERATION, AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN JOINT SEPARATION OR A BROKEN BALL STUD.

Consequence

IF THE JOINT SEPARATED OR THE BALL STUD BRAKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING, STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE LOST.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING LINKAGE ASSEMBLY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRAG LINK AND THE PITMAN ARM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

2000 GMC K3500 REG. CAB PICKUP 4X4 -- BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR AND ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES. VEHICLE HAS EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES ON DRY PAVEMENT. BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AFTER RE-APPLICATION OF BRAKES BY "PUMPING" THEM. PEDAL ALSO GOES TO FLOOR WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT OF ABS SYSTEM AND VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 27, 2010 · crash

Previous years of my truck with the Allison “branded” transmission have been reported to lock up while driving. From what I can gather there was a recall. Instead of fixing the issues with the transmission a program was installed to put the transmission in limp mode during the failure. My…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 15, 2025

I HAVE A 2000 GMC DESIL TRUCK. FOR TRHE PAST TWO YEARS THE TRUCK ENGINE WILL STOP WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO LASTING RESULTS. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 29, 2004

A 2000 GMC C3500 SIERRA PICK UP TRUCK ROLLED OVER CAUSING THE ROOF TO COLLAPSE WHICH CAUSED BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA TO THE DRIVER'S HEAD WHICH RESULTED IN HIS DEATH. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 5, 2002 · crash

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDERS, AND NOTICED THAT RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. FIRESTONE, STEEL TEX, 24575R16. HE TOOK VEHICLE TOOK FIRESTONE, AND THE ATTENDANT REPLACED TIRE.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 6, 2000

2000 GMC Sierra 3500 — common questions

Is the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sierra 3500: 30 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2000 Sierra 3500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (12 complaints), transmission (4 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Sierra 3500 years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among Sierra 3500 years belongs to 1996.

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.