The most-reported Sierra run is 2GTEK19T721 (2002 builds) with 16 complaints, 8.9× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 36% of reports; 1999 is the worst model year at 2.4 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 63 recall campaigns for Sierra model years 1989–2016.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The GMC Sierra has 3,067 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 1% of every Sierra complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2GTEK19T721•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| 2GTEK19T011•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 1GTEK19T2YE•••••• | 2000 | 1 | — | |
| 1GTEK19T3YE•••••• | 2000 | — | — | |
| 1GTEK19T7YE•••••• | 2000 | 1 | — | |
| 2GTEK19T5X1•••••• | 1999 | 4 | — | |
| 1GTEK19T5YE•••••• | 2000 | 1 | — | |
| 2GTEC19T6X1•••••• | 1999 | — | — | |
| 2GTEK19T941•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| 2GTEK19T711•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 2GTEK19R3V1•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| 2GTEK19T6X1•••••• | 1999 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 3,055 Sierra runs has 10 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 1,212 Sierra VINs so far, most often 2026, 2021, 2024 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the GMC Sierra the gap between build years is 2.4×: a 1999 car draws 2.4 complaints per run, a 1989 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 420 | 244 | 15 | |
| 2007 | 309 | 219 | 12 | |
| 2006 | 247 | 177 | 14 | |
| 2005 | 379 | 203 | 11 | |
| 2004 | 477 | 242 | 20 | |
| 2003 | 471 | 221 | 26 | |
| 2002 | 508 | 265 | 48 | |
| 2001 | 497 | 269 | 48 | |
| 2000 | 573 | 252 | 43 | |
| 1999 | 484 | 203 | 46 | |
| 1998 | 206 | 145 | 19 | |
| 1997 | 278 | 156 | 6 | |
| 1996 | 205 | 131 | 17 | |
| 1995 | 226 | 142 | 17 | |
| 1994 | 174 | 126 | 2 | |
| 1993 | 53 | 45 | 4 | |
| 1992 | 22 | 21 | 2 | |
| 1991 | 9 | 9 | — | |
| 1990 | 16 | 16 | 1 | |
| 1989 | 14 | 14 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 1999 at 2.4 complaints per run; lightest is 1989 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 36% of everything GMC Sierra owners report: Service Brakes, 2,156 of 5,568 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 180 | 7 | |
| Hydraulic | 130 | 6 | |
| Air Bags | 120 | 2 | |
| Electrical System | 3 | 49 | |
| Visibility | 4 | 9 | |
| Steering | 20 | 4 | |
| Power Train | 18 | 7 | |
| Structure | 14 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 63 recall campaigns on the GMC Sierra; the 6 below cover build years 1989 to 2006. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1999–2006 |
| 07E066000 | Equipment:electrical | 1999–2006 |
| 05V161000 | Parking Brake | 1999–2005 |
| 04E022000 | Equipment | 1999–2004 |
| 04V129000 | Structure:body:tailgate:hinge And Attachments | 2000–2004 |
| 08E050000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1989–1993 |
The Sierra against its rivals
The Sierra draws 1.8 complaints per production run; the Ford F-150 2.5, the Chevrolet Silverado 3 and the Toyota Tundra 2.8. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Sierra | 5,568 | 3,067 | 6.3% | |
| Ford F-150 | 13,818 | 5,526 | 6.1% | |
| Chevrolet Silverado | 12,784 | 4,198 | 6.6% | |
| Toyota Tundra | 6,107 | 2,172 | 4.5% |
How serious were they
Of the 5,568 reports on the GMC Sierra, 6.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | GMC Sierra | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 5,568 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 353 (6.3%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 93 (1.7%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 237 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 12 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The GMC Sierra share of that is 5,568 complaints over 3,067 runs, 0.5% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a GMC Sierra VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 5,568 NHTSA complaints from 3,067 Sierra runs and 63 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Sierra production run has the most complaints?
2GTEK19T721, a 2002 build, with 16 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Sierra run has 1.8.
Which Sierra years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1999 is heaviest at 2.4 complaints per run and 1989 lightest at 1.
Does the Sierra get more complaints than the Ford F-150?
No: 1.8 complaints per production run for the Sierra against 2.5 for the Ford F-150.
How many Sierra complaints involve a crash?
6.3% of 5,568 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 93 involved a fire.
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