2017 GMC Sierra 1500
Common Problems
Ranked from 168 federal NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
17 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Transmission Jerking and Shifting Issues
64complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission jerks and shifts harshly, especially during acceleration and downshifting, causing a clunking noise.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Brake Pedal Issues
29complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brake pedal becomes extremely hard to push at low speeds, causing difficulty in stopping the vehicle.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V645000, 19V761000
- 3
Electrical System Glitches
26complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe infotainment system frequently malfunctions, changing screens, hanging, and making beeping noises, causing distraction.
- 4
Random Engine Stall and Loss of Power
20complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stutters and loses power at various speeds, sometimes accompanied by warning lights, requiring multiple repairs.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Parking and Low-Speed Braking Issues
14complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brakes fail to stop the vehicle properly at low speeds, especially in parking lots, posing a significant safety risk.
Related recalls: 19V645000, 19V761000
- 6
Brake System Malfunction Causing Loss of Control
9complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brake system malfunctions, causing the vehicle to lose control and potentially leading to accidents.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V645000, 19V761000
- 7
Transmission Hard Shifting and Shuddering
6complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission experiences hard shifting and shuddering, especially in lower gears.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Brake System Issues at Low Speeds
5complaintsMedium severityBrakesThe brake system becomes ineffective at low speeds, causing difficulty in stopping the vehicle.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V645000, 19V761000
- 9
Faulty Trailer Brake System Notifications
3complaintsMedium severityOtherThe trailer brake system notifications appear frequently, causing distraction and potential brake failure.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Transmission Slipping and Stalling
3complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission slips in and out of gear, causing the vehicle to stall and lose power.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Brake system failure with loss of power assist
2complaintsHigh severityBrakesAt low speeds, the brake pedal feels stiff and the vehicle does not stop properly, posing a safety hazard.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V645000, 19V761000
- 12
Electrical system failure with intermittent dashboard glitches
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe dashboard lights and gauges flicker and go out intermittently, sometimes causing the entire vehicle to go into low power mode.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Severe brake lock-up issues affecting safety
2complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe service brakes experience severe lock-up issues, posing an extreme safety hazard and nearly causing accidents.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V645000, 19V761000
- 14
Steering system failure with locking and unresponsive steering
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel locks up and becomes unresponsive, requiring physical force to steer, posing a safety risk.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Steering system issues including power steering failure
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringPower steering fails at low speeds, making it difficult to turn the vehicle, especially when pulling trailers or driving in tight spaces.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Steering Warning Light Issues
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe 'Service Power Steering Drive' warning light appears intermittently, indicating potential power steering system issues.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Steering wheel lock-up at high speeds
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringAt high speeds, the steering wheel locks up, making it impossible to control the vehicle, posing a significant safety risk.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.