2017 GMC SIERRA 3500 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 has 4 complaints and 11 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with trailer brake system warnings while towing, causing loss of trailer brakes, and mechanical failures such as exhaust manifold bolt seizure and axle nut backing off leading to wheel bearing failure.
Common Issues- Exhaust manifold bolt seizure. Bolts seizing on the exhaust manifolds requiring manifold replacement, with repair costs exceeding $8,000 despite meticulous maintenance and garage storage.
- Trailer brake connection warning. Intermittent alerts that the trailer is not connected despite a secure 7-pin connection, resulting in loss of trailer brakes while towing heavy loads, reported multiple times to GM service without resolution.
- Rear axle failure. Passenger side rear wheel exhibited smoke and squealing at 30 MPH; axle nut backed off unintentionally, destroying wheel bearings; vehicle not repaired post-incident.
There are 11 recalls affecting fuel system, engine components, airbag modules, seat belts, and electrical systems. Recalls involve a wide range of safety-related components including fuel tanks at risk of collapse or overfilling, engine block heater short-circuits with fire risk, and airbag system software defects that may prevent deployment in a crash.
Recalls- Fuel tank collapse risk. (NHTSA 23V047000) 22,132 vehicles affected. The rear fuel tank may collapse preventing fuel transfer, causing engine stall and increased crash risk. Fix involves inspection and replacement of fuel tank and pump as needed, plus vent hose addition at no cost.
- Engine block heater short circuit. (NHTSA 19V328000, 21V496000) Affects over 350,000 vehicles. Heater cords or terminals may short circuit increasing fire risk. Dealers will replace block heaters and reroute heater cords free of charge.
- Fuel tank sensor malfunction. (NHTSA 19V088000) 18,574 vehicles affected. Faulty fuel-level sensor may cause overfilling of front tank, potentially puncturing it and increasing fire hazard. Dealers will replace rear fuel pump and inspect or replace front tank at no cost.
- Airbag and seat belt pretensioner software defect. (NHTSA 16V651000, 17V437000) Over 3.6 million vehicles affected. Software may prevent deployment of frontal airbags and pretensioners during a crash, raising injury risk. Dealers will reflash software and replace modules as needed free of charge.
- Front seat belt retractor defect. (NHTSA 17V567000) 38,048 vehicles affected. Retractors built with incorrect torsion bars, potentially failing in crashes. Dealers will replace both front seat belt retractors free of charge.
Owners facing repeated repairs, ongoing safety defects, or unresolved recall fixes may have protections under state lemon laws. Those encountering persistent problems should consider reviewing their legal rights to address vehicle warranty or safety-related issues.
2017 GMC SIERRA 3500 Summary
2017
Model Year
4
Total Complaints
7
Total Recalls
4415993
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2017 GMC SIERRA 3500
22132 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
2017 GMC SIERRA 3500
338020 vehicles affected
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
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.
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
2017 GMC SIERRA 3500
18574 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 GMC Sierra 3500 and Chevrolet Silverado 3500 trucks equipped with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks. The fuel-level sensor in the front tank may stick in a low-level position, allowing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
Risk: If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
2017 GMC SIERRA 3500
318374 vehicles affected
ENGINE
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.
Risk: A short-circuit may damage the engine components and increase the risk of fire.
2017 GMC SIERRA 3500
38048 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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."
Risk: The seat belt retractors may not perform as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2017 GMC SIERRA 3500
40683 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
Risk: 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.
2017 GMC SIERRA 3500
3640162 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
Risk: 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.
Complaints
2017 GMC SIERRA 3500
ID: 2097726POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was smoke and a squealing sound coming from the passenger’s side rear wheel. The vehicle was taken to the residence and the contact observed fluid on the axle tube. The contact stated that the axle as taken apart and the wheel bearings were in pieces. The contact stated that the axle nut had unintendedly backed off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
2017 GMC SIERRA 3500
ID: 2086547ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Trailer brake system connection warning Intermittent when towing it will say trailer not connected, while still having a secure 7 pin connection. This causes me to loose trailer brakes. My camper is nearly 14,000 lbs. Very dangerous situation. Happened since new. Was into / complained to GM service dept over 6 times.
2017 GMC SIERRA 3500
ID: 2086546SERVICE BRAKES
Trailer brake system connection warning Intermittent when towing it will say trailer not connected, while still having a secure 7 pin connection. This causes me to loose trailer brakes. My camper is nearly 14,000 lbs. Very dangerous situation. Happened since new. Was into / complained to GM service dept over 6 times.
2017 GMC SIERRA 3500
ID: 2052117ENGINE
this vehicle is garage kept and meticulous maintained, has 136,000 miles, original owner, brought to dealer for an oil leak, they said exhaust are frozen and won't come out after heating etc. they have to replace exhaust manifolds! Bolts should not seize is the head of a garage kept vehicle that's heated! Being a mechanic many years ago I have never seen this happen! this is the first year for the new engine, On a internet search I found it's not uncommon, and the bill is going to cost me over $8000 !. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)