2017 Gmc SIERRA 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
21,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 13 complaints (38.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 38.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 15.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 |
Service Brakes: 5; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 2; Power Train: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Equipment: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 4; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11132650 · 2018-10-01 (October 1, 2018)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH A 5TH WHEEL ATTACHED IT APPEARED THAT THE REAR BRAKES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WERE SMOKING, I PULLED OVER TO ALLOW IT TO COOL. WE FOUND A GMC DEALERSHIP AND PROCEEDED THERE VERY SLOWLY STOPPING A NUMBER OF TIMES TO ALLOW THE BRAKES TO COOL DOWN. 2 MILES SHORT OF GMC, THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND A TIRE HAD BLOWN. WE PULLED OVER AND WHILE CALLING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE NOTICED FIRE UNDER THE TRUCK. WE PUT IT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. WE WERE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE BR…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11132650 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11276971 · 2019-10-29 (October 29, 2019)
WHEN YOU PUT ON THE BRAKES YOU HAVE TO PRESS SO HARD AND I MEAN HARD TO GET IT TO STOP. IT WAS NOT LIKE THAT WHEN IT WAS NEW. IT YOU PUT ATRAILER BEHIND THE TRUCK AND THE TRAILER HAS BREAKES THAT IS WHAT STOP THE TRUCK NOT THE TRUCK BRAKES. IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 3 MONTH.19/2019
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11276971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11620867 · 2024-10-20 (October 20, 2024)
tHE 6L90 TRANMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING AT 58,408 MILES. HAD TO BACK THE TRUCK UP IN TRAFFIC OVER 1/2 MILE TO REACH A SAFE SPOT. SEEMS GM IS HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND THEIR 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION. NO ASSISTANCE FROM GM TO REPAIR SEEING I WAS OUT OF THE 5 YEAR 100000 WARRANTY. SEEMS GM KNOW ABOUT THESES PROBLEMS. HAD TO SPEND $5K TO GET NO DEALER SERVICE TO INSTALL A REMANUFACTURED TRANS, HOPING IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11620867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11688844 · 2025-09-22 (September 22, 2025)
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while shifting from park(P) to drive(D), the engine revved, but the vehicle failed to move forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, who determined that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by a dealer. The mechanic was able to shift the transmission into manual drive mode, allowing the contact to drive the vehicle to the residence. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11688844 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11712853 · 2026-01-23 (January 23, 2026)
My truck is affected by GM’s engine block‑heater safety recall (NHTSA 21V‑496 / GM N212329840) addressing a risk of short circuit and potential engine‑compartment fire at the heater cord/terminal connection. GM’s interim action has been to remove/disable the block‑heater cord, which my dealer did, and then marked the recall “completed.” As a result, the NHTSA VIN tool shows 0 unrepaired recalls, even though no actual repair/restored functionality exists and GM continues to advise owners not to use the block heater until parts are available. Sa…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11712853 at NHTSA ↗