NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The roof-rail air bag inflator end cap may separate, or the inflator sidewall may break open.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the left and right roof-rail air bag modules at no cost.
This page covers 7 recalls and 30 owner complaints for the 2015 GMC Sierra 3500.
For the 2015 GMC Sierra 3500, exterior lighting and the electrical system draw the most owner complaints. On the lighting side, owners frequently describe headlights, taillights, or other exterior lights failing or behaving erratically. Electrical complaints cover a range of issues including trailer brake controller warnings that cycle on and off unpredictably, non-functional horns, and intermittent power losses accompanied by an "Engine Power Reduced" message that causes the truck to drop speed suddenly at highway speeds. The engine complaints largely tie back to that reduced-power condition, which owners describe as occurring most often at higher speeds. One isolated report describes an airbag deploying while the vehicle was parked and off, though no pattern of similar complaints appears in this complaint set.
30
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 GMC Sierra 3500 has 7 recalls, the most serious involving a fuel tank that can expand and contact the driveshaft, a brake pedal that can loosen or fail entirely, and curtain airbag inflators that can eject metal components into the cabin.
On trucks equipped with dual fuel tanks, a sticking fuel level sensor can cause the rear tank to overfill the front tank, building enough pressure to deform the tank until it rubs against the driveshaft and develops a hole, creating a fuel leak. The brake pedal pivot nut can loosen to the point where the pedal becomes unresponsive, and a loose pedal can also interfere with the accelerator. The curtain airbag inflators along the roofline can shed an end cap or rupture their sidewall, sending pressurized fragments toward occupants during a deployment. There are also two related recalls covering the front airbags and seatbelt pretensioners: in a crash, both systems may fail to deploy, leaving the driver and front passenger without full restraint protection.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof-rail air bag inflator end cap may separate, or the inflator sidewall may break open.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the left and right roof-rail air bag modules at no cost.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The end cap of the roof-rail air bag inflator may separate from the inflator unit, potentially affecting air bag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the roof-rail air bag modules on the affected side(s) at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake pedal pivot nut can loosen, making the brake pedal loose or unable to work.
What the fix does
Dealers will apply adhesive to the nut and reinstall it more tightly to secure the brake pedal.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front tank's low fuel level sensor can stick, causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank beyond its capacity.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the rear tank fuel pump or update the fuel-level sensor software, and inspect and replace the front tank if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control software may not have received a complete update from a previous recall. Under certain driving conditions, this software may run a diagnostic test that disables frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control software. If your vehicle previously deployed air bags, the control module will be replaced instead. Repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Under certain driving conditions, the air bag control module's software may run a self-test that disables the front air bags and seat belt pretensioners, preventing them from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control module software. If your air bags have previously deployed, the module will be replaced. Repairs are free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen over time, causing the brake pedal to become loose or stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will apply adhesive to the brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall it with increased torque to secure it properly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.