2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 24,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

I am submitting this complaint to bring attention to a potential widespread engine defect involving GM's 6.2L engines, specifically the use of replacement crankshaft Part Number 12732518 in engines that were not originally equipped with the L87 engine. Approximately one year ago, I completed a second engine replacement on my 2017 GMC…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH to 50 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and made a shuddering sound while shifting between gears. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine lifters and camshaft were previously replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 140,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

Brakes make a flutter noise and pedal becomes hard while in drive through line or at a red light or any place that requires constant brake application for an extended period of timeOwner complaint, filed 2026

I was test driving this 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT and experienced issues while braking. Issues with brakes as the vacuum level drops the brake assist decreases which meant I had to use excessive force to get the vehicle to stop. No warning light, nothing to tell me there is a low pressure brake. This could result in a fatality if a small…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

I had an engine rebuilt completed on my L86 2017 GMC 6.2. After the repair, the engine failed due to the crank shaft on the engine being oversized which is the same problem that GM is having with the L87 engines. When the crank was ordered from the dealer for my L86, the only part number for the crank that was available was the new part…Owner complaint, filed 2026

I drive this vehicle on higher speed roads to work everyday. Roads also used by large tractor trailers and like larger vehicles. I was told by dealer that I had broken exhaust manifold studs at a previous oil change. While driving the truck it seemed to lose power for a short time but I was in traffic and assumed the loss of power at…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH and attempting to make a turn, several warning lights illuminated and the trailer braking system message was displayed. The vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started; however, the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 56,584 miles

While the 2017 GMC Sierra was warming up via remote start, I noticed a smell of smoke as I walked by the passenger side of the truck. Then I heard a loud bang as I was walking around the rear of the truck. As I entered the truck from the driver's door I saw the back window, passenger side, shattered. The vehicle was then turned off.…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 118,000 miles

At approximately 98,000 miles, the dashboard error menu notice to service the power steering system. This vehicle has electronic power steering. While reversing at low speed, the power steering failed. I stopped the truck, turned off the engine, waited 15 seconds, and restarted the truck. The error notice reappeared and steering power…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the defrost was turned on, but the defrost failed to function as intended. There was a loud pop, and there was brown and yellow smoke in the rear of the vehicle. The contact turned off the defroster. The vehicle was driven to the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 90,200 miles

While using the rear defrost my daughter smelled burning. Moments after the smell the rear window exploded. This is a sliding three part window and it shattered on the passenger side. My daughter was hit by the exploding glass.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 23,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

When I accelerate the vehicle, the gears shifts every 10mph when it shouldn’t. It does it all the way up to 60mph. It has been an on going problem since we got the truckOwner complaint, filed 2026

When stationary I pushed in on the gas throttle to go it didn't go so I pushed in a little more and it [VIN] to fast then like it jumps. It also is shaking at certain speeds.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 74,259 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 22,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that while exiting a parking lot and turning the steering wheel completely to the left and to the right, there was an abnormal sound coming from the driver's and passenger's wheels. The contact coasted to the side of the road and noticed the tires were rubbing on the front…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 70,000 miles

Now while a trip to which I rolled over 39000 miles, I have a ball joint explode putting my family in danger and causing me to now need that repaired, new tire, and full alignment. I called the local dealership I have used for years and am told to bad at 36031 miles you are on your own as warranty is over and have had to take to…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 38,900 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 55,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (8).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

This complaint is about the automatic extending/retracting foot steps on my GMC Sierra. The step is supposed to extend outwards when the door is opened and retract back under the truck when the door is closed. Instead, when the door is opened the step extends and at random will retract back inwards. Aside from being annoying this is…Owner complaint, filed 2022

The passenger side door strikers (both front and rear) were not torqued properly. The bolts seem to have been hand tightened only, and appear to be slowly backing out further. If left as is, I believe the striker would eventually become separated from the vehicle body, allowing the doors to open [VIN]. The only symptoms of the issue…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 11,700 miles

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

strong smell of gasoline nauseating, Attempted to start vehicle intense spraying of gasoline all around gas tank vehicle started, dripping profusely around gas tank over chassis frame, Rear driver side of vehicle 16 June 2025Owner complaint, filed 2025

Vehicle has a hard shift in the lower gears. I have been told by GM authorized dealers and garages that the official suggestion from GM is a transmission flush, and that this may not resolve the issue. This service usually runs around $350+, and is not reimbursed at all or in part by the manufacturer. This has caused tire spin in parking…Owner complaint, filed 2023

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would intermittently stall as the instrument panel would draw blank. The contact stated that the vehicle would resume to normal driving within five seconds of the failure. The contact also mentioned that he had injured his left…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Simply driving down the road an all your lights insode an out glitching along with steering. The steering locks up an comes back. It does not matter what you are doing. It will lock up at any giving moment. Putting you in dangerous way of others. 3months an you can barely turn it because the power steering is totally out. It now does not…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 34,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

Dear Sir, I currently own a 2017 GMC Denali that had a potentially catastrophic failure with one of the alloy wheels that are on my vehicle. Mileage about 110,000 I recently went to have new tires installed on my vehicles when the tire shop manager came from the work area and said that he could not put a new tire on my one wheels. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra equipped with Goodyear, Tire Line: Wrangler SRA, Tire Size: 275/55/R30, DOT Number not available: The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the passenger’s side front tires experienced blowout. The contact was able to pull over safely and replace the tire. The failure reoccurred and the front driver side…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 50,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was hit broad side, by driver running red light. He was doing over 50 MPH I was hit left side forward of left door. My steering wheel airbag did not deploy fully. The crash caused only the steering wheel bag to deploy but it only came out maybe half way, it smoldered so bad I panicked seeing all the smoke and had to crawl out of my…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Only have 18,820 miles on our truck and the airbag light is on. Shouldn't have issues with airbags on a truck that's barely driven.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 18,820 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

Drivers seat moves ,shifts when turning corners ,had in shop 2 times with jim ellis gmc mall of georgia..this has been going on since I purchased new. Not fixed yet..there again today..Owner complaint, filed 2019

My truck braking system is going to the floor board of my truck. Making very hard for me to stop. They call themselves fixing it but the same problem is back. Really tired of this problem and other spend 1000.00 on springs and the vehicle was only a 1 1/2 old was told the warranty on cover it if they were broken a lie the dealership told…Owner complaint, filed 2020