2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems
What owners have reported about the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.
From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
Is the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 a good year?
It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 354 complaints with NHTSA, the 10th most of 19 Sierra 1500 model years. The most reported problems involve the transmission, brakes and engine.
354 complaints 6 recalls, 1 crash risk 10th worst of 19 Sierra 1500 years
Top 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
Transmission problems
118 complaints (33%) name the transmission, most often the torque converter and automatic transmission.
Brake problems
107 complaints (30%) name the brakes, most often the wheel speed sensor.
Engine problems
59 complaints (17%) name the engine.
Electrical problems
54 complaints (15%) name the electrical system, most often the integrated trailer brake control and cables.
Which parts fail most
Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.
Mileage when it failed
Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (133 of 354). The amber line is the middle value, about 40,000 miles.
When problems were reported
Complaints by the year the problem happened.
2017 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls
Inflator
The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture. A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge.
Recall 26V611000 · Sep 2026Wheel sensor failure can cause sudden pulling
Crash riskIf a wheel-speed sensor fails while the vehicle is going between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the brake control software can wrongly apply the brake on one wheel. The vehicle may then pull sharply to one side without warning, which raises the risk of a crash.
Fix: The dealer will reprogram the brake control module (EBCM) at no cost to you.
Recall 19V761000 · Oct 2019Vacuum
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time. As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge.
Recall 19V645000 · Sep 2019Owner's manual lacks child seat anchor instructions
Injury riskThe owner's manual may not explain how to use the tether and child restraint anchors, so a child seat could be installed incorrectly and not held securely. That raises the risk of injury to a child in a crash.
Fix: The dealer will give you a corrected owner's manual insert at no charge.
Recall 17V487000 · Aug 2017Pretensioner, Sensor / control module-inactive
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. 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.
Recall 17V437000 · Jul 2017Pretensioner, Sensor / control module-inactive
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. 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.
Recall 16V651000 · Sep 2016Get an email when your 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 gets a new recall
We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500, you'll hear about it the same week.
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Sierra 1500 years to avoid
Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.
2017 GMC Sierra 1500 problems by system
Common questions
Is the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 a reliable year?
It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 354 complaints with NHTSA, the 10th most of 19 Sierra 1500 model years. The most reported problems involve the transmission, brakes and engine.
What are the most common 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?
Owners most often report problems with the transmission, brakes, engine and electrical system. 118 complaints (33%) name the transmission, most often the torque converter and automatic transmission.
At what mileage do 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 transmission problems start?
Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 20,000–76,000 miles, with a middle value near 33,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
6. Inflator (26V611000); Wheel sensor failure can cause sudden pulling (19V761000); Vacuum (19V645000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.
Should I buy a used 2017 GMC Sierra 1500?
Ask for service records covering the transmission, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2012, 2013 and 2025 models, which have the fewest complaints.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.