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2017 Gmc Sierra 2500 Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2017 Gmc Sierra 2500 carries 6 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering retractor and engine. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission shudder, hard shifting, and failure.” GMC trucks and SUVs use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — the same algorithm as Chevrolet. Because GMC's lineup is exclusively trucks and SUVs, severe-service intervals apply to most owners (towing, hauling, off-roading). The schedule below surfaces the items most relevant to GMC's truck-focused buyer.

6 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Campaign #17V567000 · Sep 14, 2017

Issue: 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.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front seat belt retractor assemblies, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's numbers for this recall are 17368, 17375, and 17376.

ENGINE

Campaign #19V328000 · Apr 25, 2019

Issue: 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.

Fix: GM will contact owners, dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Additionally, in Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles, dealers will install a new rerouted heater cord. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N182206310.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Campaign #16V651000 · Aug 9, 2016

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Campaign #17V437000 · Oct 7, 2017

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

Campaign #21V496000 · Jan 7, 2021

Issue: 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.

Fix: Dealers will replace engine block heaters and heater cords. Vehicles that have this feature disabled as a remedy to the safety condition will be contacted and offered replacement block heaters and heater cords under a separate customer satisfaction program, free of charge. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted, free of charge. Interim owner notifications were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 4, 2022. Customers may call GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 212329840.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Campaign #23V047000 · Feb 2, 2023

Issue: 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.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and fuel pump module, replacing them as necessary. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on March 15, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 21, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222368030.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Gmc Sierra 2500.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission shudder, hard shifting, and failure

POWER TRAIN

21 NHTSA complaints · 2017-07 → 2024-11

“On July 5, 2024 while traveling and towing our 5th wheel (7,200lbs) with our 2017 GMC 2500 6.0L GAS engine (with the 6L90 transmission) and without any previous warnings or signals the check engine light illuminated and approximately 10 mins later the vehicle went into limp mode”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11602719
“HAVE HAD THIS INTO THE DEALER AT THE FIRST OIL CHANGE AND COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ISSUES AND IT BEING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. COMPLAINTS ARE: HARD SHIFT, IT CLUNKS BOTH UPSHIFTING AND DOWNSHIFTING. GOING AROUND CORNERS FROM A STOP THE TRUCK WILL EITHER FALL ON ITS FACE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11311579
“MY 2017 GMC SIERRA SHUTTERS AND JERKS WHEN GOING INTO AND OUT OF 1ST GEAR AND GOING AROUND CORNERS WHEN IT CHANGES GEARS. ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. AT TIMES IT HAS JERKED INTO AN INTERSECTIONAND WAS SCRY. MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. HAVE HAD IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11271464

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Backup camera excessive brightness at night

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 NHTSA complaints · 2017-05 → 2018-11

“NATURE OF CONCERN: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE, THE REAR BACK-UP CAMERA COMES ON. THE DISPLAY OF THE CAMERA IS EXTREMELY TOO BRIGHT, AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO BACK UP PROPERLY WITH A GLARING LIGHT IN YOUR FACE. THERE IS CURRENTLY NOT AN OPTION TO DECREASE THE BRIGHTNESS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10990885
“WHEN REVERSE IS ACTIVATED AT NIGHT, THE BACKUP CAMERA COMES ON AT FULL BRIGHTNESS AND IS NOT DIMMABLE. THE BRIGHT SCREEN PREVENTS VIEW OF THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES VISIBILITY IN THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WHILE REVERSING. THE SCREEN CANNOT BE DEACTIVATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11154567

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake vacuum pump failure and loss of power assist

SERVICE BRAKES

17 NHTSA complaints · 2018-03 → 2020-03

“WAS DRIVING MY 2017 GMC SIERRA WITH MY WIFE AND YOUNG SON. I WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND HAD NO BRAKES. THE BRAKE WAS VERY HARD TO PUSH AND MADE A FUNNY CLICKING NOISE WHEN I SHOVED IT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION AND PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. I”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11172529
“WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH, A SERVICE BRAKE ASSISTANT WARNING CAME ON. THE BRAKES AT THAT POINT WERE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO USE AND THERE WAS NO WAY FOR A QUICK STOP. WAS ABLE TO GET TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE BOOSTER PUMP,”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11154030
“OCTOBER 2019 WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE BREAKS WORKED ON GIVEN RECENT RECALL ABOUT THE MECHANICAL VACUUM PUMP OUTPUT MAY DECREASE OVER TIME, DECREASING THE AMOUNT OF VACUUM/POWER BRAKE ASSIST. HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER GETTING THE RECALL DONE ON MY TRUCK (1 WEEK LATER) I WAS IN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11301601

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine block heater cord recall and fire risk

EQUIPMENT

7 NHTSA complaints · 2019-10 → 2023-07

“On December 29, 2022 I stopped at the bank for 2 minute and when I got back to my truck I noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. I immediately called 911 and luckily some nice people were able to get my hood up safely and the bank provided a fire extinguisher before the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11531177
“The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V496000 (Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11460439
“GM ISSUES A SAFETY RECALL ON ENGINE BLOCK HEATERS FOR 6.6L DURMAX ENGINES STATING USING THE EQUIPMENT MAY CAUSE A FIRE. TWO YEARS, THE EQUIPMENT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED AND DEALERSHIPS PASS BLAME TO GM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11339894

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Service Trailer Brake System warning while towing

SERVICE BRAKES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2021-12 → 2024-08

“Service Trailer Brake System warning will not stop dinging and alerting. this happens constantly with or without a trailer . I dismiss the alert and it continues to sound off. I have trouble thinking or talking. Very Very distracting. Took my vehicle to the dealer and they did”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11606297
“Service Trailer Brake warning comes on repeatedly. Trailer brakes fail to work”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11474777
“When connect my trailer i get a service trailer brake system, then the stability waring start to show up and the brakes on the vehicle seem to act funny. Very unsafe while towing a trailer and kids in the truck. VERY UNSAFE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11443575

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of power steering assist while driving

STEERING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-04 → 2023-11

“The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist, and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11553927
“WHEN I'M DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED TURNING THE TRUCK LOOSES ALL POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS OUT OF MY HAND, STABILITRAK IS ON THE DISPLAY AND IT SAYS ROLL DOWN DRIVER WINDOW AND ROLL BACK UP! IT ALSO LOOSES ALL POWER JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD NO MATTER THE SPEED! I HAVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11316706
“I was in an accident on October 20th 2022 while driving home. U had just reached the top of a sharp crest on a two way road. As I started to straighten out the wheels coming out of the turn I noticed my direction was still as if I was turning the wheel. I tried to brake and”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11494173

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear window shattering with smoke or fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-02 → 2024-04

“I REMOTE STARTED THE VEHICLE TO ALLOW IT TO WARM UP. THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER AUTOMATICALLY TURNED ON. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I GOT INTO THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AS WELL AS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE SQUARE CONTROL UNIT ON THE REAR SLIDING WINDOW. QUICKLY, I SHUT OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11176504
“The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed with the defroster activated, a smoke odor was detected inside the vehicle. The contact's wife checked the rearview mirror and saw flames coming from the rear”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11585843
“I auto started my truck. We jumped in and I put the key in to start and turned down the heater and pushed the rear defroster off and the passenger side rear window blows up like a shot gun blast. It shaders into a million pieces. Our 2 year old in a car seat right in front of it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11443490

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when OLS reaches 0% or every 12 months. dexos1-approved synthetic required on Sierra 1500 5.3L/6.2L; dexos2 specified on Duramax diesel.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Sierra and Yukon owners running 4x4 should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Towing accelerates pad wear by 30-50%; check more often if towing regularly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

DOT 3 brake fluid: test annually, replace when moisture exceeds 3% or fluid is darker than copper.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

Long-life cellulose filter rated 45,000 miles. Trucks driven on unpaved roads or construction sites should inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (towing 5,000+ lbs regularly, heavy stop-and-go): every 45,000 miles. Normal: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI for 6L80/6L90, Mobil 1 LV ATF HP for 10L80/10L1000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

Sierra and Yukon 4WD: replace every 45,000 miles. Use GM Auto-Trak II for active 4WD; GM 9986115 for selectable 4WD.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Differential Fluid (front + rear)

Every 50,000 mi

Replace front and rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. G80 limited-slip rear axles require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on the L83/L84 5.3L and L86/L87 6.2L V8 are rated 100,000 miles. AFM/DFM cylinder deactivation can cause uneven plug wear — check at 75,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000. Duramax diesel uses ELC (red) — different chemistry, do not mix.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Sierra HD and Yukon XL owners in dusty work environments should replace at 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

73 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2017 Gmc Sierra 2500 reflects GMC's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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