Gmc SIERRA 3500 transmission problems
82 complaint narratives mention transmission terms.
Key facts
564 owner complaints analyzed
44 distinct recall campaigns
53,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 270 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Transmission and shifting evidence
82 of 564 complaints match this topic (14.5%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 11655960 · 2025-04-21 (April 21, 2025)
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 model, a 2023 apparently came with the limp mode feature already installed. When my transmission failed it took the truck out of gear and locked up for a moment before I could safely pull over.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11655960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 568072 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)
THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE TRANSMISSION, BRAKES, BUCKET SEATS, AND DIFFERENTIAL UNIT MALFUNCTIONED. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 568072 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10215820 · 2008-01-23 (January 23, 2008)
GMC 2001 SIERRA C3 PARKING BRAKE NO LONGER FUNCTIONS AS IT SHOULD. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AS THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST IT (FROM WHAT I CAN TELL). A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN 05V161000 ALLUDED TO THIS ISSUE BUT ONLY FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS. THIS IS NOT LOGICAL AS THE MECHANISM IS THE SAME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10215820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10168645 · 2006-09-19 (September 19, 2006)
THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING NHTSA ID # 05V161000 AND GM RECALL # 05042. THE ABOVE IS FOR A DEFECT IN THE PARKING BRAKE WHICH CAUSES PREMATURE WEAR. THE RECALL ONLY APPLIES TO MANUAL SHIFT TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE THIS RECALL SHOULD ALSO APPLY TO MY VEHICLE SINCE A PARKING BRAKE IS ALSO INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE AND IT IS ALSO DEFECTIVE. IF A PARKING BRAKE IS NOT NEEDED ON MY VEHICLE FOR SAFETY THAN WHY IS ONE INSTALLED? *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10445199 · 2012-01-25 (January 25, 2012)
I RECENTLY HAD A BRAKE FAILURE ON MY 2003 GMC SIERRA 3500 SERIES TRUCK. I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY BRAKES GAVE OUT. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO STOP BEFORE STRIKING A PARKED CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY BRAKE LINES AND CALIPERS ARE CORRODED AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT FOR A $4200. I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED LAST FEBRUARY AND PUT LESS THAN 1000 MILES BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. THE REAR BRAKE PADS WHICH WERE REPLACED THEN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF CORROSION ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,503 miles reported. Look up ODI 10445199 at NHTSA ↗