The GMC Sierra HD spans 2019–2026 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2025, 2026, 2024 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2019, 2022, 2023. It delivers up to 24 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The GMC Sierra HD is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2019 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a GMC Sierra HD VIN — every digit explained
Every GMC Sierra HD carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a GMC and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Sierra HD.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Sierra HD, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the GMC Sierra HD have?
The GMC Sierra HD has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2019–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the GMC Sierra HD
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 6 tracked years, the worst years are 2025, 2026, 2024 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2019, 2022, 2023.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Sierra HD | — | Best | |
| 2022 Sierra HD | — | Best | |
| 2023 Sierra HD | — | Best | |
| 2024 Sierra HD | — | Avoid | |
| 2025 Sierra HD | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 2026 Sierra HD | — | Avoid |
What are the most common GMC Sierra HD problems?
The most-reported GMC Sierra HD problems are Power Train (1 reports) — out of 1 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
GMC Sierra HD specifications & dimensions
The 2026 GMC Sierra HD. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the GMC Sierra HD window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
GMC Sierra HD cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Sierra HD holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
GMC Sierra HD tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the GMC Sierra HD get?
The GMC Sierra HD returns up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,600/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2023 GMC Sierra HD (3.6L 6-cyl) gets 21 mpg combined and costs about $2,950/yr to fuel, emitting 417 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 4/10, smog 6/10) — about $3,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Sierra HD | 19 | 26 | $2,950 | 417 | 6/10 | 3.6L 6-cyl | |
| 2022 Sierra HD | 19 | 26 | $2,950 | 417 | 6/10 | 3.6L 6-cyl | |
| 2019 Sierra HD | 17 | 25 | $3,100 | 442 | 6/10 | 3.6L 6-cyl |
The 2026 GMC Sierra HD (2.5L 4-cyl) gets 21 mpg combined and costs about $2,950/yr to fuel, emitting 423 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 4/10) — about $3,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sierra HD | 20 | 23 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 2025 Sierra HD | 19 | 24 | $2,950 | 422 | 5/10 | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 2024 Sierra HD | 19 | 24 | $2,950 | 423 | 6/10 | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 2023 Sierra HD | 22 | 27 | $2,600 | 368 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2022 Sierra HD | 22 | 27 | $2,600 | 368 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2019 Sierra HD | 21 | 25 | $2,850 | 399 | 5/10 | 2.5L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Sierra HD stacks up against the most fuel-efficient SUVs, or calculate this Sierra HD's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the GMC Sierra HD have? Power & range
The GMC Sierra HD is offered with 2 powertrains — 3.6L 6-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.6L · 6-cyl | Automatic 9-spd | AWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.5L · 4-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | AWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a GMC Sierra HD tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the GMC Sierra HD is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your Sierra HD's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a GMC Sierra HD cost to own?
A GMC Sierra HD holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Sierra HD loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $13,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Sierra HD ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a GMC Sierra HD to insure?
A GMC Sierra HD costs about $1,359 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 6% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (95, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Sierra HD's HLDI loss index. See GMC insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the GMC Sierra HD safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Sierra HD yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a GMC Sierra HD last?
A well-maintained GMC Sierra HD typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your GMC Sierra HD’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Sierra HD’s VIN free →All GMC Sierra HD model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the GMC Sierra HD — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sierra HD | 0 | — | |
| 2025 Sierra HD | 1 recall | — | |
| 2024 Sierra HD | 0 | — | |
| 2023 Sierra HD | 0 | — | |
| 2022 Sierra HD | 0 | — | |
| 2019 Sierra HD | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Sierra HD?
By owner-complaint volume, 2025, 2026, 2024 drew the most reports. 2019, 2022, 2023 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Sierra HD have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2019–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all GMC recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Sierra HD get?
Up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Sierra HD last?
A well-maintained Sierra HD typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Sierra HD reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Sierra HD is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the GMC Sierra HD warranty?
New GMC models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a GMC dealer.
Where is the GMC Sierra HD made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Sierra HD's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; GMC may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Sierra HD have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.