VehicleVerdict

2010 GMC Sierra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2010 GMC Sierra sits mid-pack among Sierra years: 43 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 67, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (8), body & structure (7), and other (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

43

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Sierra years?

Sierra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted721 complaints1976: 2 complaints1977: 4 complaints1979: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 5 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 6 complaints1989: 22 complaints1990: 30 complaints1991: 12 complaints1992: 33 complaints1993: 109 complaints1994: 221 complaints1995: 327 complaints1996: 310 complaints1997: 302 complaints1998: 230 complaints1999: 721 complaints2000: 557 complaints2001: 333 complaints2002: 291 complaints2003: 248 complaints2004: 224 complaints2005: 152 complaints2006: 65 complaints2007: 71 complaints2008: 84 complaints2009: 48 complaints2010: 43 complaints2011: 67 complaints2012: 46 complaints2013: 46 complaints2014: 132 complaints2015: 67 complaints2016: 8 complaints2017: 77 complaints
Sierra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sierra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 GMC Sierra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags819%
Body & Structure716%
Other614%
Visibility & Wipers49%
Brakes49%
Electrical System49%
Engine37%
Seat Belts12%
Speed Control12%
Fuel System12%
Latches & Locks12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Transmission12%
Suspension12%

Does the 2010 GMC Sierra have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10E043000OtherSeptember 3, 2010 · 294 units

Defect

MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Consequence

AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy

MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DURING A CRASH AT HIGH SPEEDS AND FRONTAL IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS LIFE FLIGHTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUFFERED LIFE ALTERING INJURIES. MY 2 KIDS WERE ALSO IN THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED INJURIES WHICH THEY ARE STILL BEING TREATED FOR. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 17, 2012 · crash

“2010 GMC SIERRA CREW CAB PICK UP TRUCK. DASH PANEL CRACKED ON UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. UPPER LEFT CORNER CRACKED A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER. GMC REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THE CRACKED DASH PANELS HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT MESSAGE BOARD AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 9, 2013

“THE DASH BOARD ON MY 2010 GMC HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL AREAS, INCLUDING AT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I HAVE STRONG CONCERNS THAT THE DASH WILL BREAK APART IN AN ACCIDENT IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY AND POSSIBLY INJURE OCCUPANTS IN THE CABIN. THE PLASTIC IS VERY BRITTLE AND COULD EASILY CUT SOMEONE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 5, 2014

“DURING A TRIP ALONG WA HIGHWAY 2, WESTBOUND THRU STEVENS PASS, THE TEMPERATURE WAS DROPPING AS INDICATED BY THE VEHICLES OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATION. AS IT TRAVERSED FROM APPROX 42 DEGREES F TO 36 DEGREES F ALL WINDOWS FOGGED SEVERELY SO AS TO RENDER NO VISIBILITY. THE DEFROSTER WAS ENGAGED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 13, 2010

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER PARKING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 15, 2015 · fire

2010 GMC Sierra — common questions

Is the 2010 GMC Sierra reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 43 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sierra year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2010 Sierra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (8 complaints), body & structure (7 complaints), other (6 complaints).

Does the 2010 GMC Sierra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2010 GMC Sierra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among Sierra years belongs to 1979.

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.