MODEL
GMC Sierra 3500
NHTSA safety across every GMC Sierra 3500 model year we cover.
Across the 7 model years of the GMC Sierra 3500 we cover (2019 to 2026), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. 29 recalls have been issued across those years.
The GMC Sierra 3500 is a heavy-duty full-size pickup truck aimed at buyers who need serious towing and hauling capability. Slotting above the light-duty Sierra 1500, it targets contractors, fleet operators, and truck enthusiasts who demand maximum work capacity. It competes directly with the Ford F-350 and Ram 3500 in one of the most demanding and popular segments in the American market.
At MotorCaliber, we focus exclusively on the safety picture, and for the GMC Sierra 3500 covering model years 2019 through 2024, that picture carries some real weight. NHTSA has not crash-tested this vehicle in any of the years we cover, which means there are no star ratings or Safety Index scores to guide shoppers. That is not unusual for heavy-duty trucks, which fall outside standard NHTSA crash-test protocols, but it does leave buyers without an objective structural benchmark. What the federal data does show is a substantial recall count: 27 recalls across six model years, including 2 classified as park-outside or do-not-drive campaigns. Those two elevated-severity recalls deserve particular attention, as they signal conditions serious enough for federal regulators to recommend keeping the vehicle away from structures and out of service until repaired. Owner complaints across the covered span total 170, with 12 alleged crashes, 4 alleged fires, and 12 reported injuries logged among those unverified allegations. Four fire-related complaints on any vehicle is a figure shoppers should not brush past. The Sierra 3500 is a capable, purpose-built work truck, but its federal safety record demands that prospective buyers check their specific VIN for open recalls immediately and keep up with any future campaigns. The absence of crash-test data makes that recall diligence even more critical here.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Sierra 3500 as a well-executed heavy-duty hauler with a composed, refined ride for its class and a cabin that offers notably upscale materials in higher trims. Driving dynamics are considered competitive, and the truck earns praise for its towing composure and overall polish. Some reviewers note that interior value and feature content compare favorably against segment rivals.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the Sierra 3500 in any model year from 2019 to 2024, so there are no federal star ratings available. Shoppers have no independent structural crash-test data to reference when evaluating this truck.
- With 27 recalls across six model years, the Sierra 3500 carries a high recall volume. Two of those campaigns were serious enough for NHTSA to issue park-outside or do-not-drive advisories, meaning owners were told not to operate the vehicle until the issue was resolved.
- Owner complaint data includes 4 alleged fire-related incidents among the 170 total complaints filed with NHTSA across the covered years. While these are unverified allegations, fire complaints warrant close attention and make it important to verify any open recalls on a specific vehicle.
- Before purchasing any Sierra 3500 from model years 2019 to 2024, run the VIN through NHTSA's free recall lookup tool at nhtsa.gov. Given the recall volume and the presence of elevated-severity campaigns, confirming that all recall repairs have been completed is an essential step for any buyer.
Most-recalled year on record: 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 with 8 recalls.