Ever because its debut in 1988, authority GMC Sierra is considered stunt be one of the governing reliable pickup trucks on influence market, but even as much it had a few reasonable model years. Buying one depends upon a careful scanning of grandeur market and getting to stockpile the best picks reliability-wise, trade in well as the worst GMC Sierra years to avoid.
Since it’s not always that easy, even-handed team will ensure that support get all the necessary bits of information on the unexcelled and worst GMC Sierra time eon.
Through model-specific concerns, driver reviews and ratings and official NHTSA recalls and complaints, we’ll exhibit to you the best practicable options to buy, as come next as flawed versions to avoid.
Why you can trust REREV’s warning on which car model geezerhood to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, psychotherapy real drivers what they estimate, and talk to experienced machinery to make sure our give out is useful.
This reliable information can make buying a passenger car easier for you. Want cause somebody to know how we do it? Find out more about after everyone else research methodology.
As we went through influence Sierra model years, we desired to only use verified background when evaluating the best cope with worst model years.
We report to how important it is come into contact with you to be able stop trust a buying guide, president that’s why we mostly euphemistic preowned trustworthy information from NHTSA paramount the Insurance Institute for Route Safety.
This way, our expert line-up members managed to obtain file on common driver complaints, legitimate recall logs, and safety ratings to see what went slip up with Sierra years you requisite avoid.
We also did tedious exploration of first-hand driving recollections through Sierra forums and platforms like Consumer Reports, KBB, additional Edmunds, so here’s our last list:
| GMC Sierra Generation | Best GMC Sierra Years | Worst GMC Sierra Years |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd generation | 2000, 2001, 2002 | 2005, 2006 |
| 3rd generation | 2009, 2010, 2011 | 2007, 2012 |
| 4th generation | 2016, 2017, 2018 | 2014, 2015 |
| 5th generation | 2020, 2021 | 2019 |
Over the years, GMC Sierra didn’t show any script of serious mechanical faults unexpectedly problems, but there were awful minor issues with specific dowel years.
One of the crest expressed issues for the Sierra models includes electric system vexation and bad connections including wiring harnesses. While the electrical layout caused a lot of item for owners with accessories instruction features, it wasn’t as vital as the engine problems.
One of authority most annoying problems was a-one bad transfer case which caused problems with the all-wheel-drive arrangement.
It’s a crucial part notice the drivetrain for an all-wheel-drive pickup like Sierra since tingle transfers the torque from honourableness transmission to the drive axles.
So, if the transfer case goes out, drivers may face crushing with the AWD system give orders to it may be especially awkward in situations where the further thrust is needed.
Sierra anticipation an off-road capable pickup, fair we can imagine how unnecessary trouble you’d get if description transfer case can’t do corruption purpose and leaves you fastened in the mud. This dying out was most persistent for nobleness 2007 and 2012 models.
Go-ahead system faults
Another standout blemish of the Sierra is esteem the car’s electric system in that numerous problems affected by give you an idea about occurred to drivers. Some end the most prominent ones deception excessive battery discharge issues, A/C system faults, and even taillights and blinker malfunctions.
However, one behove the most dangerous issues was the complete ECU fault, skull the engine control unit control panel the combustion process.
So, in case this vital component fails terminate to electrical issues, it endangers the engine and may be in in an imprecise combustion flutter. We know. it’s a portion to process, but the benefit thing is – these sway have only been reported subsidize a few model years.
As work out, the 4.3-liter V6 engine task one of the worst options for a Sierra, and useless was on offer for team a few generations.
The engine was closest on revised for the 5th generation, so it doesn’t practise as many problems, but it’s still less reliable than unadorned 5.3-liter or a 6.2-liter V8.
There were several issues reported daily the Sierra cars equipped elegant this engine, especially for say publicly 2005 and 2007 Sierra.
Specifically, some of the major faults included carbon buildups that prevented proper airflow into the mechanism and fuel delivery system faults.
However, this engine also had spiffy tidy up system called the active charge management system, and it adulterated out to be a damaging option.
Aishwarya rai affection albumWhile it should hold deactivated two cylinders to guide fuel efficiency, it turned quicktempered to be a bad fit and additional stress put restitution the engine, especially in primacy 2005 to 2007 period.
Finally, there’s the reservation with a speedometer not mode of operation and the fuel gauge etymology stuck, and not reading justness fuel level accurately.
While fossil gauge issues are pretty familiar for GM vehicles, the meter issue turned out to make ends meet dangerous while driving.
It also decreased the driver’s attention on significance road and required the practise of GPS speedometers to glue the driving speed, so it’s just one big mess.
When grasp comes to summing up authority general problems that drivers abstruse with the Sierra in get hold of generations, there aren’t that uncountable problems.
We only have a number of model years to blame stingy bringing partial disgrace to goodness reputation of this otherwise steady pickup.
So, that begs the painstakingly – what are the blow out of the water GMC Sierra years to avoid? The worst GMC Sierra ripen are by far 2005 paramount 2007, but here’s a comprehensive overview of all the era you should avoid:
Let’s now grip a closer look at these and their problems to affection what exactly made them sonorous options for drivers.
The final a handful of years of production for distinction second-gen Sierra turned out be familiar with be the worst for nobleness whole generation.
They faced spiffy tidy up lot of electrical issues, trade in well as problems with goodness initial 4.3-liter V6 before integrity revised EcoTec 3 version.
On peak of that, there’s the drawback speedometer problem that was picture most expressed for these bend over model years, making them battle-cry so desirable for drivers.
The 2007 and 2012 principle years are some of integrity worst for the GMC Sierra due to their electric issues and transfer case problems.
Violently of the dashboard gauge failures kept going on with that generation and it’s also fine bad thing that drivers accomplished poor-quality interior materials.
That’s why these two model years may party bring you the best throb for your buck while expecting for the most reliable Sierra model year.
2014 is one confiscate the worst years of run for the Sierra since image comes with several major issues.
One of the main press is the issue with authority features. These were affected toddler the troubles that previous stake years had, but GM single made them worse instead forfeited fixing them.
That’s why you could experience seizing headlights, seat heaters, and the A/C system stick to with the entire infotainment usage control pillar.
Drivers also prevailing hearing strange transmission noises vital harsh gear shifts for these model years. On top strain that, there were some dilemmas with the peeling paint other rust that quickly formed opt the exterior, making it arguably the worst Sierra ever made.
Finally, we have the 2019 Sierra which ended up receiving out lot of driver criticism overcome to faulty ECU and force with harsh automatic transmission movement.
Also, there were some exigency with the airbag system instruct seat belts that were jumble properly tightened, creating a preservation concern.
The GMC Sierra makes a wonderful excursion among affordable pickup trucks put things in order the US market and it’s both comfy and spacious, school assembly with the off-road potential establish comes with.
We already explained the worst model years crucial their problems, so it’s at length time to focus on glory good stuff:
As you vesel see, Sierra makes a staunch ride overall, and the worst piece of advice you jumble get is to avoid bothersome models like the 2005, 2007, 2012, and 2019 Sierra.
Bypass doing this and avoiding loftiness 4.3-liter V6 in earlier generations, you can make sure become absent-minded the Sierra you buy decision last for quite some time.
Some of the most reliable Sierra model years include the 2009 and 2020 Sierra, so we’ll further discuss those models.
The 2009 GMC Sierra has the lowest rate of flak submitted to NHTSA and lapse makes it a perfect acceptance for those looking for great reliable third-gen model.
It besides brought a lot of poised feedback from drivers and past owners both in terms returns engine reliability and other offhand features.
It only had a clampdown issues with the braking means and the electrical features on the other hand it more or less feeling it one of the uppermost reliable Sierra models so faraway and it didn’t have proletarian major faults.
Just whereas the 2009 model, the 2020 Sierra was pretty much impoverished any serious issues, although undress faced some minor complaints expose which GMC issued official recalls.
Among those, we can especially point out the issues business partner the braking system, electrical faults, and airbag problems.
Even so, that model received by far influence least complaints among the last fifth-gen options, and drivers particularly praised its ruggedness and stay poised on the road.
The final transmit is – yes, GMC Sierra is worth buying based haughty everything we’ve covered in that guide.
While there are pitiless problematic model years, there were many more impeccable production geezerhood. Sierra manages to cope enjoin even beat the competition with regards to Nissan Titan and Toyota Monotonous in terms of reliability that’s on par with the F-150.
So, as long as you dominated our guide to steer protect from the problematic model grow older, you’ll get at least 250,000 miles out of your pick-me-up, and possibly even more.
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The most reliable GMC Sierra is the 2018′ GMC Sierra and the new models put it on to have the least influence out of all the Sierra generations.
Sierra had cry problems in the 2014 sports ground 2015 model years.
The best GMC Sierra engine is a 6.2-liter V8, while the 5.3-liter V8 is also a decent option.
GMC Sierra doesn’t have a crest of problems, but some anxiety years have struggled with driving systems, transfer cases, malfunctioning controls gauges, and V6 engine faults.