2017 GMC Sierra 1500

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Power train is the leading concern among 429 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Sierra 1500 model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 429

Of the 2017 reports, 20 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train144 reports · 34% of complaints
Owner complaints429Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship6 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train144
  2. Service brakes127
  3. Engine64
  4. Electrical system60
  5. Other or unspecified41
  6. Steering28
  7. Visibility/wiper13
  8. Exterior lighting12

Recalls and investigations

  1. Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorSep 24, 2026

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500 vehicles, and 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

    A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

    Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262569920. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 24, 2026.

    Campaign 26V611000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, wheel speed sensor/tone ringOct 24, 2019

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.

    Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

    GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.

    Campaign 19V761000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Service brakes, hydraulic, power assist, vacuumSep 6, 2019

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

    As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

    GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.

    Campaign 19V645000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Child seat, tether, connector/clipAug 3, 2017

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The owner's manual for the affected vehicles may be missing instructions on how to use the tether anchorage and child restraint anchorage systems. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

    If the instructions are missing from the owner's manual, the child seat may be installed incorrectly and not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

    GM will notify owners, and dealers will provide a corrected insert for the owners manual, free of charge. The recall began on September 25, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 17307.

    Campaign 17V487000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Air bags, frontalJul 10, 2017

    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 condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 17V437000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Air bags, frontalSep 8, 2016

    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 test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 16V651000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints

429 reports, newest first.

  1. Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 5, 2022

    My truck trailer Brake system continues to come on and my doors are locking and unlocking. It has my 4x4 trans rubbing as well. Its a non stop issue everytime I get into my truck it does this and it happened out of no where. I had this truck a little over a year now.

  2. Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2022

    The rear window defrost hasn't been working since I've owned the truck. Doing some research on it.....there's lots of complaints online with issues involving this problem. Some fires also. I did find that there were 160,000 or so recalled in Canada. Same issues. Mostly involving being remote started. Which is what happened to mine. I remote started mine....walked about 50 yards to the truck...heard a loud pop.....the rear window exploded ! Glass went everywhere !! It's definitely a safety issue....especially if someone had been in the rear seat !! I've ran the Vin # and checked with the closest dealer but they weren't any help. It's hard to figure there were so many issues in Canada....but none here. The replacement glasses are made in Canada, about every complaint I read involved remote start during cold weather.....which the rear window defrost come on if the temps below a certain level. Lots of owners were disabling the defrost on the rear window by removing the fuse and or relay.

  3. Service brakes, Jan 4, 2022

    Still having the slow parking problem. Almost hit a car today when trying to stop while parking truck. Software update by dealer did not fix the problem. This happens every time I try to park and/or slow stopping at a crosswalk.

  4. Power train, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 3, 2022, crash

    . THE ENGINE MOUNTED MECHANICAL VACUUM PUMP MAY DECREASE OVER TIME DECREASING THE AMOUNT OF VACUUM/ POWER BRAKE ASSIST, CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO STOP. SAME AS MY 2016 GMC. I HAD TO ALSO HAVE THE ( EVAP CONTROL VALVE REPLACED). TRANSMISSION SURGES AND ON THE DOWN SHIFT ITS KNOCKING COMING TYO A STOP. .IN MY REAR ENDING A PARKED VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES PULSATING AND NOT STOPING SCARED ME. .DEALERSHIP. .DEALERSHIP .NO

  5. Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 28, 2021

    Panel message with beep Saying: SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM

  6. Power train, Exterior lighting, Engine, Dec 28, 2021

    The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and jerk upon acceleration without warning. The contact also stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that there was a service bulletin that was linked to the failure. Moisture could enter the vehicle through the headlights and cause the electrical and transmission failures the contact was experiencing. The contact was given an estimate for the repair. The contact then called Tameron Buick GMC (27161 US-98, Daphne, AL 36526) and it was stated that they were unaware of such a failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

  7. Air bags, Dec 26, 2021, crash

    I was hit broad side, by driver running red light. He was doing over 50 MPH I was hit left side forward of left door. My steering wheel airbag did not deploy fully. The crash caused only the steering wheel bag to deploy but it only came out maybe half way, it smoldered so bad I panicked seeing all the smoke and had to crawl out of my truck after kicking open the passenger door because the nose of the truck is racked to the right the passenger door would not open. Other car had full airbag deployed, all curtains and steering wheel

  8. Service brakes, Nov 30, 2021

    While backing up I hit the brakes and the pedal made a clicking noise. I pumped the brakes and it stopped. This has happen several times over the past several months. I made a compliant to the dealer while under warranty and they found nothing wrong. 62000 current miles on the vehicle. Safety issue???

  9. Service brakes, Nov 29, 2021

    While in a parking lot, I tried to slowly move forward and then come to a pause. My brakes didn't work quite right and the vehicle didn't stop for an additional 15-20 feet from where I would have liked to stop. Luckily I was just moving forward to get out of the way of another vehicle trying to drive behind me and I didn't have anything directly in front of me that I needed to stop before. If I was trying to stop for a pedestrian I would have certainly hit them. If I was trying to stop behind a vehicle who suddenly stopped I would have ran into the back of their vehicle. There has been a recall on similar vehicles; same make, model and year as mine for what appears to be the same issue. Recall # 19V645000 This has also happened in my garage while pulling in, and in another parking situation. The Service Brake Assist warning comes on the Information screen.

  10. Power train, Service brakes, Nov 25, 2021

    Transmission shifts extremely hard in low speed. transmission temperature sensor is bad causing warning light to be on. Brakes fade at low speed causing abs system to growl.

  11. Power train, Nov 18, 2021

    I'm having issues with my transmission/torque converter on my 2017 GMC Sierra SLT 6.2L which cause a heavy shutter and/or shake while driving. I have scheduled a follow up appointment for 11/22/21 after my vehicle was just in on 11/15/21. I currently have less than 57,000 miles on this vehicle. These issues create abnormal vibrations and shuttering under normal driving conditions which can adversely affect control of the vehicle. Furthermore, these issues affect acceleration and deceleration.

  12. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 15, 2021

    The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds or parking the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal, he heard an abnormal noise and the vehicle failed to stop completely. The contact stated that the service brakes warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he continued to experience failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

  13. Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Nov 6, 2021

    LOST OF ACCELERATION AT A SET SPEED THE THROTAL STOPPED TO INCREASE THE SPEED AND JUST FLOOPED TO FLOOR. WHEN THE SPEED SLOWED TO A SET POINT, ACCELERATION CONTROL RETURNED. WHEN IT HIT THE HIGH SETTING IT AGAIN LOST CONTROL TO INCREASE SPEED. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME I REACHED THE DROP OFF SPEED. WHY DOSE THIS HAPPEN??? ONE TIME I WAS ON A HIGHWAY PASSING TWO TRUCKS ON A UPGRADE WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE #2 TRUCK WENT TO PASS #1, THE #2 TRUCK WAS ON MY REAR THANK GOD ACCELERATION RETURNED. I REPORTED THIS OCCURANCE TO MANUFACTURE & TO "NHTSA" OVER A YEAR AGO. I GOT "NO" ANSWERS OR RESPONCE FROM ANYONE!!!

  14. Service brakes, Nov 4, 2021

    My brake pedal randomly gets extremely hard, causing my truck to not be able to stop as it should. This almost caused me to read end the vehicle in front putting everyone in danger. There are no warning lights on. There is a recall for this issue that my model year falls under however my vin says no open recalls. It’s a booster vacuum seal problem with the breaks. Very frustrating that my truck is experiencing this recall issue but is not included. This causes a huge safety issue.

  15. Steering, Electrical system, Lane departure, Nov 4, 2021

    Randomly all electronics shut down engine stalls and lane assists wont let me turn wheel while driving in road. Normally at slow speeds. Get random warning lights that go away after seconds. When I activate a window switch all the electronics turn off and on. This happens randomly. No codes have been left to pull up when trying to solve issue. Twice with children in the car in traffic that we have almost got in a wreck due to these random issues.

  16. Service brakes, Oct 11, 2021

    I was backing my boat into the water at a boat ramp and my brakes got very hard to push when I was backing into the water. I had to stand on the brakes to get it to stop, if my wife had been backing the truck in, it would have been in the lake. I see that there are no recalls on this vehicle. I bought it about four months ago and don't know the history of any recalls that have been done. I also had the transmission problem with the shimmy, and per the GM dealer flushed the fluid and the shimmy has all but disappeared. I am glad, because when I ask if it didn't repair it would the transmission be covered under warranty, he said no because of the mileage. These reasons are probably why the guy traded it in in the first place.

  17. Other or unspecified, Sep 24, 2021

    I have had ongoing issues with my 2017 GMC Sierra Denali Truck's performance since it was purchased in May of 2017 of which I have all the service records to show. In mid-June 2021, the check engine light appeared on the dashboard and I immediately contacted the service department at the GMC dealership in Fremont to schedule an appointment. On 6/18, I dropped the vehicle off for the scheduled appointment. After picking the vehicle up, I immediately noticed that it was shuddering and vibrating upon acceleration of 30-40, 40-50, 50-60 & 75-85 miles per hour. The issue persisted and I returned the vehicle to the dealership on 7/1. After several attempts during the month of July 2021 by the dealership to fix the issue and it not being resolved, I finally contacted GMC Corporate to discuss the problems and options. I was assigned a case number and to customer service assistant Farris. Unfortunately, GMC customer assistance was not very helpful with my claim and was not responsive. At one point, I asked to be referred to a supervisor but was never given that opportunity. Finally, on 8/26, I was advised that based on GMC's evaluation and review of my case, the vehicle would not be replaced or repurchased based on the history of the vehicle repairs. He did not explain to me in detail the basis of this decision. He stated that my options were to take the vehicle back to the Fremont dealership or take it to another a dealership (where I may be charged). I decided to take the vehicle to another dealership which was GMC, Modesto. The appointment was scheduled on 9/14 and the vehicle was returned to me on 9/15 after they could not diagnose or repair the vehicle. The service adviser explained that I would have to return to the dealership in Fremont. On 9/17, the vehicle was towed to that dealership. On 9/23 at 4:55 pm, service manager Dave called stating "two fuel injectors they put in previously were replaced again and wanted permission for the shop foreman to drive it home."

  18. Power train, Sep 1, 2021

    Within a couple of days after purchasing the vehicle new I noticed a vibration or shudder when the transmission shifted. Also, the truck would slam into gear almost like being hit in the back end, and on a few occasions while driving on the highway the truck would just downshift by itself thereby causing the engine RPM's to rev above 5,000. It has been to the dealer four times, transmission has been re-calibrated, the new and improved fluid flush and these problems still exist. The truck has just under 60K miles and has started downshifting on a regular basis causing the engine to rev. How long is that going to last before the engine blows or causes permanent damage?

  19. Power train, Aug 4, 2021

    GM has known issues, which I'm sure the NHTSA is aware of. This involves transmission in 2015-2019 model trucks, both GMC and Chevrolet, among other GM vehicles. In my research there have been no less than 13 TSB's issues by GM trying to rectify these issues. The latest TSB states that a new blend of transmission fluid is the fix. In my instance the transmission started shifting hard with less than 30K miles. Took to dealership and they reprogrammed the transmission control module. Fixed the issue for a while but then started back after about 10K miles. In Feb. 2020 with 60K miles a transmission temperature sensor failed on the transmission. I took it in to replace sensor and as a result they had to change the fluid at which time they told me they replaced it with the new recommended fluid. Now at 94K miles it has started producing the hard shuddering at certain speeds. This is the main problem the fluid change is supposed to fix. Well guess what. It does fix it. I'm now scheduled to take it back in on Monday 8-9-21 to have the torque converter replaced. The company I work for has about 12 of these model GMC trucks and 7 of them have had to go back in to fix this same issue. Some of them multiple times. I'm out of warranty and these repairs are not cheap. The biggest safety issue is the tranny could fail at any point going down the road and leave me with no drivetrain and potentially get hit. In my 40 years of driving and owning 20 vehicles between me, my wife and 3 kids I have never had a tranny fail. This is the first and GM has know about this issue for years. They need to be made to fix these issues and replace all transmission that are having issues and repay me the money I've already paid and the money I'll have to pay next week. This is ridiculous that NHTSA has not gotten involved enough to force GM to correct this. You need to force the hand of GM to make this right. You know of the problems, now get it fixed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  20. Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 6, 2021

    no breaks loud sound grabbing breaks growling sound very loud sweeking sound happens all time

  21. Power train, Jun 24, 2021

    Extreme hard shift from 1 to 2 regardless of power input. Also, sputtering after mantiaining speed (rpms jumping up and down, you can feel the power input increase or decrease). This also happens using cruise control. After researching, this is a major complaint on this vehicle.

  22. Service brakes, Jun 22, 2021

    Stiff brake pedal at low speeds and brake assist error message

  23. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2021

    Driving at approx 55 to 60 MPH with rear defrost on. Began to smell a burning/electrical smell, and within 90 seconds heard a loud bang. Rear window (stationary piece on drivers side) had shattered. Smell presumably coming from the rear window defrost component. No warning lights or messages on the truck. My son was sitting in the rear seat at the time so this is a huge safety risk. This has not yet been repaired. Window replacement is scheduled with Safelite on 6/8, consult with dealer on rear defrost set for 6/10. Photos are available.

  24. Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 25, 2021

    The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that ‘hood open” was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact inspected the hood and confirmed that the hood was securely locked. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

  25. Steering, May 12, 2021

    A WARNING APPEARED ON THE DISPLAY IT SAYS SERVICE POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE AND I THINK IT DOESN'T MEAN ANY GOOD THING SO PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO DO TO DRIVE MY TRUCK SAFELY OUT OF ANY RISK. THANKS EXACTLY I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BUT THAT WARNING APPEARS ANY TIME AFTER TURN THE TRUCK ON.