2017 GMC Sierra 2500: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500
On the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500, the failure owners report most often is other brake problem, with 5 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 20,000 miles. Overall it scores 72 out of 100, high risk for a 2017.
High risk for a 2017 — 171st riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. 51 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What breaks on the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500
Owners have reported 23 named failure modes on the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500, and the three most-reported carry 25% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Other brake problem leads with 5 reports and about 0.1 per 1,000 vehicles.
Complete transmission failure follows with 4 reports, median 45,000 miles.
Other body or interior problem follows with 4 reports.
By system, the reports fall mostly into transmission (8), brakes (7) and adas (6).
When these failures get reported
20 of the reports on the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 20,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 75% by 50,000 miles and 90% by 100,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 40% of the dated reports.
65% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 23. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
What happens when these parts fail
Across the named modes, 3 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 1 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.37, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other brake problem at $300–$1,800, complete transmission failure at $2,800–$8,000, other body or interior problem at $200–$2,000 and torque converter failure at $1,100–$3,200. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
24% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other brake problem | brakes | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 4 | 2 | — | 46k | — | 0.1 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Torque converter failure | transmission | 3 | 3 | — | 3k | — | 0.1 | $1,100–$3,200 | High |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 3 | 2 | — | 21k | — | 0.1 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Misfire or rough idle | engine | 2 | 2 | — | 104k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 2 | 1 | — | 18k | — | 0.1 | $200–$900 | High |
| Other engine problem | engine | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 2 | 1 | — | 51k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Alternator or charging system failure | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 56k | — | 0.0 | $450–$1,600 | High |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 1 | 1 | — | 26k | — | 0.0 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Airbag inflator rupture | airbag | 1 | 1 | — | 95k | — | 0.0 | $0–$0 | Critical |
| Lane keep or steering assist fault | adas | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,600 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 0.0 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 1 | 1 | — | 49 | — | 0.0 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 1 | 1 | — | 2k | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Unclassified problem | other | 5 | 1 | — | 18k | — | 0.1 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 draws about 1.4 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 74th percentile of complaint rates among 2017 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 37,527 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2017 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other brake problem
Took truck in for first oil change.I had several problems including the back tires being over 50% worn out. Alignment was off and dealer repaired that and rotated the tires. Now when I stop at about 5 MPH the truck jumps. I removed the ABS fuse and problem goes away. Dealer states there is no warranty on tires even if they wear out in 6000 miles and the problem was the vehicle wasn't put together properly the first time.if the roads were covered with snow I would be in real trouble.normal highway travel around town
Recalls on the 2017 model year
NHTSA has issued 6 recall campaigns covering the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500, affecting an estimated 74,483 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover fuel system, diesel:storage:tank assembly, equipment:electrical:engine block heater, engine and seat belts:front:retractor. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
22,132 vehicles 2023-02-02- 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.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
338,020 vehicles 2021-07-01- 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…
ENGINE
318,374 vehicles 2019-04-25- 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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
38,048 vehicles 2017-09-14- 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
40,683 vehicles 2017-07-10- 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…
- 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
3,640,162 vehicles 2016-09-08- 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…
- 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.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2017 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Where 2017 sits in the model line
High risk for a 2017 — 171st riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. Because the ranking is against the same model year only, age cancels out of it.
Across the 27 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2007 comes out best at 63 and 2025 worst at 81, with 2017 itself at 72.
If the model year is negotiable, 2007, 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2014, 2021, 2000, 2023 and 2011 score lower than 2017 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2017–2023 generation specifically, 2021 is the strongest year at 66 and 2019 the weakest at 77.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2017-2023 generation, 2021 GMC Sierra 2500 scores best at 66 and 2019 GMC Sierra 2500 worst at 77.
The limits of complaint data
51 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 51 reports, 20 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 39% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500?
The most-reported failures are other brake problem (5 reports, median 1 miles), complete transmission failure (4 reports, median 45,000 miles) and other body or interior problem (4 reports). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?
It scores 72 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 171st riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2017 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the GMC Sierra 2500 is best?
Within the 2017–2023 generation, 2021 scores best at 66 out of 100 and 2019 worst at 77. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed