The Lemon IndexGMC Sierra.
The best GMC Sierra years are 2010, 2012, 2013. Years to avoid: 2015, 2014, 2022. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 87, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2000 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2010.
Compare the GMC Sierra.
vs Ford F-Series · vs Chevrolet Silverado · vs Ram pickup · vs Toyota Tacoma · vs Toyota Tundra · vs Chevrolet Colorado
Quick answers.
Is the GMC Sierra a good car?
It is about average, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 87; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2010 and the worst is 2015.
What are the best GMC Sierra years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2010, 2012, 2013.
What GMC Sierra years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2015, 2014, 2022.
How many recalls does the GMC Sierra have?
218 safety recalls across the 26 model years we track. Most: 2014 (21), 2020 (16), 2000 (15). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common GMC Sierra problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, transmission & drivetrain and electrical most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 100 | about average | 209 | service brakes, hydraulic (37%) | 15 | — | 12–18 |
| 2001 | 63 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 141 | service brakes, hydraulic (20%) | 12 | — | 11–17 |
| 2002 | 92 | about average | 192 | service brakes, hydraulic (39%) | 11 | — | 12–16 |
| 2003 | 89 | 1.1× fewer complaints than average | 145 | transmission & drivetrain (23%) | 13 | — | 13–16 |
| 2004 | 114 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 207 | electrical (40%) | 15 | — | 13–17 |
| 2005 | 66 | 1.5× fewer complaints than average | 105 | electrical (25%) | 14 | — | 11–17 |
| 2006 | 49 | 2× fewer complaints than average | 73 | transmission & drivetrain (23%) | 4 | — | 13–17 |
| 2007 | 37 | 2.7× fewer complaints than average | 68 | electrical (18%) | 6 | — | 15–17 |
| 2008 | 36 | 2.8× fewer complaints than average | 60 | doors, locks & latches (22%) | 4 | — | 14–17 |
| 2009 | 36 | 2.8× fewer complaints than average | 35 | speed control (20%) | 5 | — | 14–21 |
| 2010 | 15 | 6.7× fewer complaints than average | 21 | engine (19%) | 5 | — | 14–22 |
| 2011 | 30 | 3.3× fewer complaints than average | 52 | transmission & drivetrain (35%) | 6 | ★★★★☆ | 14–21 |
| 2012 | 24 | 4.2× fewer complaints than average | 41 | electrical (20%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 14–21 |
| 2013 | 28 | 3.6× fewer complaints than average | 63 | airbags (29%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 14–21 |
| 2014 | 166 | 1.7× the average car's complaints | 386 | lights (48%) | 21 | ★★★★★ | 17–20 |
| 2015 | 167 | 1.7× the average car's complaints | 363 | lights (37%) | 9 | ★★★★★ | 17–20 |
| 2016 | 78 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 173 | brakes (36%) | 10 | ★★★★★ | 17–20 |
| 2017 | 76 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 175 | brakes (31%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 17–20 |
| 2018 | 63 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 139 | transmission & drivetrain (35%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 17–20 |
| 2019 | 96 | about average | 228 | brakes (40%) | 10 | ★★★★★ | 16–19 |
| 2020 | 75 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 179 | electrical (27%) | 16 | ★★★★★ | 16–26 |
| 2021 | 76 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 183 | engine (34%) | 7 | ★★★★★ | 16–26 |
| 2022 | 161 | 1.6× the average car's complaints | 476 | engine (35%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 15–26 |
| 2023 | 158 | 1.6× the average car's complaints | 553 | engine (39%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 15–26 |
| 2024 | 190 | 1.9× the average car's complaints | 527 | engine (40%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 15–19 |
| 2025 | 79 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 166 | engine (37%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 15–26 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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