Avoid: 2008, 2007 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2018
16 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 18 model years, the GMC Sierra 2500HD has 2,060 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 78 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and electrical system. 2008 drew the most complaints (471), 2023 the fewest of the years on the road 3+ years (32).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for GMC Sierra 2500HD vehicles (US, public record). Typical used asking price $20,994–$45,465.
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 28 |
| 2024 | 106 |
| 2023 | 32 |
| 2022 | 43 |
| 2021 | 51 |
| 2020 | 76 |
| 2019 | 32 |
| 2018 | 35 |
| 2017 | 98 |
| 2016 | 65 |
| 2015 | 147 |
| 2014 | 131 |
| 2013 | 85 |
| 2012 | 60 |
| 2011 | 106 |
| 2009 | 68 |
| 2008 | 471 |
| 2007 | 426 |
Highest: 2008 (471 complaints). Lowest: 2023 (32).
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on model year, powertrain choice, and intended use. Positive feedback centers on the truck's capability, towing comfort, and the refined ride quality of the independent front suspension, particularly in newer models.
Including shudder, grinding, failure to shift, high temperatures, and complete replacements under warranty. Affects multiple model years (e.g., 2013, 2016, 2017).
Very expensive repairs (quotes of $6,000+ per incident, $20,000+ total), emissions system (DEF/DPF) failures, injector failures, and general unreliability cited as reasons to avoid.
Occurs with frequent short trips or stop-and-go driving, leading to expensive cleaning ($800-$1,600) or replacement (~$12,000).
Including wheel bearings and torsion bar mount failures, especially on older 4x4 models.
Fuel pump failures on gas and diesel models.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Sierra 2500HD. Individual model years are broken down above.
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