GMC Sierra 2500 — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

5 model years to avoid, 4 to watch and 8 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid5 years

Caution4 years

Best bets8 years

Complaint history

1994: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1994 1997: 14 complaints, Not enough data 1998: 15 complaints, Not enough data 1999: 36 complaints, Recommended 2000: 48 complaints, Recommended 2001: 134 complaints, Avoid 2002: 134 complaints, Avoid 2003: 160 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 143 complaints, Avoid 2005: 115 complaints, Avoid 2006: 66 complaints, Recommended 2007: 83 complaints, Caution 2008: 63 complaints, Recommended 2009: 31 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2011: 63 complaints, Recommended 2012: 30 complaints, Recommended 2013: 46 complaints, Recommended 2014: 30 complaints, Recommended 2014 2015: 89 complaints, Caution 2016: 59 complaints, Recommended 2017: 37 complaints, Recommended 2018: 35 complaints, Recommended 2019: 32 complaints, Recommended 2019 2020: 77 complaints, Caution 2021: 51 complaints, Recommended 2022: 43 complaints, Recommended 2023: 31 complaints, Recommended 2024: 102 complaints, Caution 2024 2025: 28 complaints, Not enough data 2026: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2003 · 160
1994: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1994 1997: 14 complaints, Not enough data 1997 1998: 15 complaints, Not enough data 1999: 36 complaints, Recommended 2000: 48 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 134 complaints, Avoid 2002: 134 complaints, Avoid 2003: 160 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 143 complaints, Avoid 2005: 115 complaints, Avoid 2006: 66 complaints, Recommended 2006 2007: 83 complaints, Caution 2008: 63 complaints, Recommended 2009: 31 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2011: 63 complaints, Recommended 2012: 30 complaints, Recommended 2012 2013: 46 complaints, Recommended 2014: 30 complaints, Recommended 2015: 89 complaints, Caution 2015 2016: 59 complaints, Recommended 2017: 37 complaints, Recommended 2018: 35 complaints, Recommended 2018 2019: 32 complaints, Recommended 2020: 77 complaints, Caution 2021: 51 complaints, Recommended 2021 2022: 43 complaints, Recommended 2023: 31 complaints, Recommended 2024: 102 complaints, Caution 2024 2025: 28 complaints, Not enough data 2026: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2003 · 160
1994: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1994 1996 1997: 14 complaints, Not enough data 1998: 15 complaints, Not enough data 1998 1999: 36 complaints, Recommended 2000: 48 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 134 complaints, Avoid 2002: 134 complaints, Avoid 2003: 160 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 143 complaints, Avoid 2005: 115 complaints, Avoid 2006: 66 complaints, Recommended 2006 2007: 83 complaints, Caution 2008: 63 complaints, Recommended 2008 2009: 31 complaints, Recommended 2010: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2010 2011: 63 complaints, Recommended 2012: 30 complaints, Recommended 2012 2013: 46 complaints, Recommended 2014: 30 complaints, Recommended 2014 2015: 89 complaints, Caution 2016: 59 complaints, Recommended 2016 2017: 37 complaints, Recommended 2018: 35 complaints, Recommended 2018 2019: 32 complaints, Recommended 2020: 77 complaints, Caution 2020 2021: 51 complaints, Recommended 2022: 43 complaints, Recommended 2022 2023: 31 complaints, Recommended 2024: 102 complaints, Caution 2024 2025: 28 complaints, Not enough data 2026: 10 complaints, Not enough data 2026 2003 · 160
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2026 ○ Not enough data 10 Only 10 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2025 ○ Not enough data 28 Only 28 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2024 ◆ Caution 102 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2023 ▲ Recommended 31 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2022 ● Recommended 43 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2021 ● Recommended 51 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2020 ◆ Caution 77 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2019 ▲ Recommended 32 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2018 ▲ Recommended 35 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2017 ▲ Recommended 37 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2016 ● Recommended 59 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2015 ◆ Caution 89 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2014 ▲ Recommended 30 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2013 ● Recommended 46 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2012 ▲ Recommended 30 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2011 ● Recommended 63 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2010 ○ Not enough data 10 Only 10 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2009 ▲ Recommended 31 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2008 ● Recommended 63 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2007 ◆ Caution 83 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2006 ● Recommended 66 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2005 ■ Avoid 115 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2004 ■ Avoid 143 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2003 ■ Avoid 160 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2002 ■ Avoid 134 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2001 ■ Avoid 134 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2000 ● Recommended 48 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1999 ▲ Recommended 36 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1998 ○ Not enough data 15 Only 15 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1997 ○ Not enough data 14 Only 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1995–1996 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
1994 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

51

recalls on file across every GMC Sierra 2500 model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other GMC models