4.9

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,102 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 GMC Sierra drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2017 GMC Sierra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

Sep 032018

Sierra

  • 3,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Have had this into the dealer at the first oil change and complained about transmission shifting issues and it being unsafe to drive. Complaints are: Hard shift, it clunks both upshifting and downshifting. Going around corners from a stop the truck will either fall on its face or jerks you violently forward. In stop or go traffic it is unsafe and happens very frequently- it randomly accelerates (jumps) quickly on its own with slight pedal pressure to the point where you constantly have to be aware and have your foot near the brake or you cause an accident by rear ending the car in front, its as if the transmission electronics get confused on how to act. Feel shuddering from truck's motor where column shift lever would shudder violently where I was afraid it would vibrate out of position. Rough idle is inconsistent at lower speed where you see tach going up and down. Starting cold you give it an easy pedal to move and wouldn't go. Trans doesn't kick in until you press harder and sometimes will lunge. Have taken into the various dealers 5-6 times, valve body change, engine motor mounts change and dealers can find no fix. GM powertrain was even involved with no help. Complained to the GMC hotline and they said need 12,000 miles on truck before the truck knows how to drive because of the 'smart' transmission where it learns you're driving habits. Complained there are 2 of us that drive it how can it learn each individuals driving when it doesn't really know who is driving. They finally said there is nothing that can be done for it, that is the way it is. This all happens sporadically in both city low speed driving and highway driving, turning, backing up or going forward from parking. Because of these issues, didn't really drive the truck much because of the problems.

- Van Buren Township, MI, USA

problem #21

Aug 012019

Sierra

  • 55,000 miles
Vehicle shifts very hard in and out of 1st and 2nd gear. When starting to go at low speeds the vehicle almost stops when shifting and then jerks when it shifts. Same occurs when slowing to a stop. Vehicle was taken to the dealer and the power train was reprogrammed. The issue was a little better for a while. A few weeks later the same issue appeared again. Vehicle was taken back to the dealer in January 2020 and there is now a check engine code. Dealer plans to change 2 harnesses and change the fluid. Unfortunately the parts are on back order which kind of tells a story.

- Jonesboro, AR, USA

problem #20

Dec 282019

Sierra

  • 61,719 miles
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph their was sudden loss of motive power and the gears disengaged. The contact stated the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and restarted vehicle and the check engine warning light disappeared. The vehicle was towed to (dublin Chevrolet GMC Buick, 2042 veterans blvd, dublin, ga 31021 (478-246-4916) where it was diagnosed that the transmission showed evidence of large amounts of metal shavings from the torque converter. The oil pan also showed evidence burnt metal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 61,719.

- Dublin, GA, USA

problem #19

Dec 172019

Sierra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While operating vehicle on highway, I experience a shake/shudder when at speeds of 50 mph and higher. Vehicle was taken to dealer stated that the torque converter did shudder. Dealer changed transmission fluid and I was advised to drive for 200 miles to see if problem was corrected. Shudder still remains and now the vibration is constant at 70 mph. I called dealer again who said that it was probably a tire balance issue. I argued with them and stated I had no such issue before first bringing vehicle in. Dealer is setting up appointment for me to take in again. Vibrations have literally caused my 6 yr old daughter to vomit on 3 different occasions when in the vehicle. She has only been in vehicle 5 or 6 times. Vehicle feels unsafe at highway speeds. I have read many forums online stating this issue is on many vehicles GM has made. I am curious as to when GM will be mandated to take corrective action or buy the vehicles back from the owners.

- Parkton, MD, USA

problem #18

Dec 282019

Sierra

  • 45,000 miles
There is a shuttering in the transmission as the vehicle attempts to climb slight/steep grades at slow to medium speeds. Around 1500 RPM the vibration is sent throughout the whole vehicle. Having to increase acceleration to allow the truck to shift properly to overcome the lack of power has created a dangerous situation while navigating up snowy/ice hills. The vehicle also performs a lurching or sudden speeding up when downshifting when slowing to come to a stop. Depending on road conditions this creates a dangerous situation when approaching icy/slippery intersections.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

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problem #17

Jan 222019

Sierra

  • 2 miles
Vehicle is shuddering and shacking at speeds any where from 35 to 55 mph. I took it to the dealership and was told it's a known torque converter issue.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #16

Oct 312017

Sierra

  • 100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2017 GMC Sierra shutters and jerks when going into and out of 1st gear and going around corners when it changes gears. Especially when cold. Does not happen all the time. At times it has jerked into an intersectionand was scry. My wife will not drive this vehicle. Have had it looked at numerous times and they have changed the fluid. They tell me I have a quirky trans or it is inherent to this transmission. It is extremely frustrating and scary at times. I don't know what to do to get GM to fix it. This has been going on since I purchased the truck on 10/31/2017.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #15

Oct 152018

Sierra

  • 5,200 miles
The vehicle exhibits vibrations that can be rather extreme at times. It seems to be most noticeable in the 70-75 mph range but can sometimes be felt at other speeds. It feels like the vibration originates from the rear of the vehicle. Two dealerships have replaced multiple parts and have performed numerous alignments and road force balances but can not identify/remedy the problem. There are thousands of complaints on multiple online forums of this same issue for 2014-2015 GM 1500 series pickup truck. So far there has been no fix for them either. GM treats it as an annoyance in the comfort of the ride, however if they can not identify the issue how do they know it is not a safety risk.

- Triadelphia, WV, USA

problem #14

Oct 032019

Sierra

  • 89,000 miles
We were driving up a slight incline in a parking garage when the engine started sputtering and shut off. After several attempts it started and we were able to make it to a parking space with the engine still sputtering. I received a notification from the truck, decreased engine power. The next day I brought it to be checked by the local GMC dealer. Their diagnosis is vapor lock when the fuel pump gets near or over 100 degree. Its my opinion that GMC placed a faulty part when manufacturing the vehicle. I would like this to be considered for recall.

- Douglas, GA, USA

problem #13

Feb 012018

Sierra

  • 7,000 miles
My windshield wiper fluid only sprays out 30% of the time. Usually in the morning then any other time of the day it will not spray out. They replaced the pump and that did not fix it and they won't do anything else and now it is out of warranty. When running lower rpms driving the truck it begins to feel like its shaking forward and backwards, like a shuddering feeling. I have read about other people having this problem and it describes mine perfectly. I have the 8speed

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #12

Mar 062018

Sierra

  • 4,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Extremely hard shifts up-and-down in the 1st 2 gears followed by hesitation after stopping and starting

- North Platte, NE, USA

problem #11

Aug 132018

Sierra

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. While the vehicle was idling at a traffic light, it began to rattle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to fresno Buick GMC (located at 5515 N blackstone ave, fresno, ca 93710, (559) 742-4113) where an unknown diagnosis and repair were performed; however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 24,000.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #10

Sep 052019

Sierra

  • 2,000 miles
Since December of 2017 the transmission, when cold, at approx. 25 mph and at 40-44 mph when neutral throttle is applied, bangs between gears forcing the operator to either accelerate or decelerate so the condition will cease. If there is no change by the operator, it feels as if the transmission will break the U-joints in the driveline or blowout the rear-end gears. I have made numerous attempts with GMC to remedy the issue to no avail. The vehicle has been in the dealership in excess of 40 days for the same problem with no resolution

- Minden, NV, USA

problem #9

Jun 172019

Sierra

  • 37,000 miles
Hard shifting between gears and coming to a stop

- Piedmont, OK, USA

problem #8

Oct 042017

Sierra

  • 415 miles
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra. While reversing, the vehicle hesitated and surged forward. While driving various speeds, the accelerator pedal was released and the vehicle accelerated. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to silver star Buick GMC (3601 auto mall dr, thousand oaks, ca 91362, (805) 222-4789) where it was diagnosed that the software needed to be updated and the vehicle was performing as designed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 415.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #7

Feb 012019

Sierra

  • 9,800 miles
Truck lags power when pressing the gas pedal at times after putting transmission into drive from reverse. Transmission shifts hard into and out of first gear and at times feels like it is skipping 2nd gear during a downshift.

- Wausau, WI, USA

problem #6

Oct 222017

Sierra

  • 20,000 miles
Transmission has surging and hesitation. Dealer cannot fix.

- Selma, AL, USA

problem #5

Aug 192018

Sierra

  • 29,500 miles
The "Chevy sake". at speeds over 70mph excessive vibration inside the vehicle. This is well documented on-line, particularly various GM forums and you tube videos. It is my understanding that GM denies it is a problem, but they have been doing some buy backs and if you read some of the dealer blogs it is evident that GM knows it is a problem.

- Barto, PA, USA

problem #4

Jun 212018

Sierra

  • 51,000 miles
This truck is a 3500 hd. I was pulling a camper on a 1100 mile trip. With 50 miles left I noticed that the truck was leaking transmission fluid from under the transmission cooler. Upon further investigation I found that the return hose from the trans cooler was positioned so the it rubbed on a frame component which caused a hole to rub in the aluminum trans coolant return line. I noticed this when the truck was parked running at a rest area for an hour but it was obviously an ongoing issue. Had I not noticed it when I did this condition could have caused catastrophic failure of the transmission. The dealer says there is no recall and it is not under warranty. I consider this to be a serious design flaw and a major safety issue. I was able to get to my delivery stop and get the line patched. It is at the dealer for repairs right now.

- Mitchellville, IA, USA

problem #3

Jan 112018

Sierra

  • 10,000 miles
Transmission harsh 1-2 shift when it is under light throttle and sometime does not shift or make nose. GMC dealer are aware about this issues on all GM truck model of 2015 to 2017 with 8sped transmission since April 2017. I have attached documents given by dealer.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

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