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Gmc Sierra — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Gmc Sierra model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
42
Years to Avoid
2017, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999
Best Years
1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1978, 1977, 1976
2017Avoid
77 complaints0 recalls883 TSBs
2016
8 complaints2 recalls61 TSBs
2015
67 complaints6 recalls181 TSBs
2014
132 complaints12 recalls76 TSBs
2013
46 complaints3 recalls248 TSBs
2012
46 complaints2 recalls275 TSBs
2011
67 complaints2 recalls292 TSBs
2010
43 complaints1 recalls280 TSBs
2009
48 complaints1 recalls281 TSBs
2008
84 complaints2 recalls2 invest.320 TSBs
2007
71 complaints2 recalls232 TSBs
2006
65 complaints6 recalls220 TSBs
2005Avoid
152 complaints11 recalls365 TSBs
2004Avoid
224 complaints10 recalls563 TSBs
2003Avoid
248 complaints9 recalls5 invest.580 TSBs
2002Avoid
291 complaints7 recalls8 invest.462 TSBs
2001Avoid
333 complaints7 recalls9 invest.471 TSBs
2000Avoid
557 complaints12 recalls9 invest.256 TSBs
1999Avoid
721 complaints9 recalls10 invest.229 TSBs
1998
230 complaints0 recalls2 invest.23 TSBs
1997
302 complaints0 recalls19 TSBs
1996
310 complaints2 recalls3 invest.20 TSBs
1995
327 complaints6 recalls3 invest.12 TSBs
1994
221 complaints3 recalls9 TSBs
1993
109 complaints3 recalls4 TSBs
1992
33 complaints4 recalls4 TSBs
1991
12 complaints2 recalls4 TSBs
1990
30 complaints2 recalls4 TSBs
1989
22 complaints2 recalls1 invest.4 TSBs
1988
6 complaints2 recalls1 invest.3 TSBs
1987Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls
1986Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1985Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1983Best Year
5 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1982Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1979
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1978Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1977Best Year
4 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1976Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Gmc Sierra Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2017, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 Gmc Sierra are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Gmc Sierra, consider the 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1978, 1977, 1976 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

42 model years analyzed