NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The roof rail air bag inflator end cap may detach or the inflator sidewall may rupture, preventing the air bag from deploying properly.
This page covers 7 recalls and 12 owner complaints for the 2019 GMC Sierra 3500.
Complaints for the 2019 GMC Sierra 3500 are spread thin across a small number of reports, so no single system dominates clearly. On the equipment side, owners describe a rear defroster causing the rear window to shatter after emitting smoke, and a separate report covers repeated part replacements, coolant reservoir, DEF heater and pump, and a recurring injector plug issue, often surfacing after the warranty period ends. Brake and stability-related reports describe the truck losing control during wet-road driving. The one engine report involves the truck entering a reduced-power mode followed by a complete electrical shutdown while driving. A single report also describes an oil-coolant mixing failure at around 44,000 miles, though that pattern doesn't repeat across other complaints here.
12
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 GMC Sierra 3500 has 7 recalls, the most serious being roof-rail airbags that can rupture or shed end caps, sending metal fragments or compressed gas into the cabin during a deployment.
This airbag defect covers the curtain-style inflators running along both the left and right roof rails, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue, which is why multiple filings exist for the same underlying problem. The inflator end cap can detach or the inflator sidewall can burst, turning what should be a protective cushion into a source of flying debris. This concern is limited to Crew Cab configurations on at least some of the filings.
On the powertrain and fuel side, two separate concerns affect trucks equipped with the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine. The optional engine-block heater cord can develop an electrical short in its cable or terminal connections, raising the risk of a fire while the vehicle is plugged in. A short in the heater circuit can also damage nearby engine components, compounding that fire risk. Diesel-equipped trucks with the optional dual fuel tank face a separate issue: the rear tank can collapse inward, cutting off fuel flow to the front tank and starving the engine, which can cause a stall without warning.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof rail air bag inflator end cap may detach or the inflator sidewall may rupture, preventing the air bag from deploying properly.
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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 →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both roof rail air bag modules at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof rail air bag inflator may have a loose end cap that could detach, or the inflator itself may rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both left and right roof rail air bag modules at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The end cap on either the left or right roof-rail air bag inflator may come loose, or the inflator itself may crack and rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the left and right roof-rail air bag modules at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof-rail air bag inflator's end cap may come loose or the inflator itself may crack, affecting the left or right side of the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both left and right roof-rail air bag modules at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear fuel tank may collapse, blocking the fuel pump from moving fuel to the front tank and causing the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank and fuel pump module as needed, and install a vent hose on the rear tank.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An electrical short circuit can develop in the engine-block heater cable or its connection terminals, potentially causing overheating or electrical failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the engine-block heater and heater cord at no cost. Previously disabled heaters and those in prior recall 19V-328 will also receive replacement cords, rerouted as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater cord or its terminals may short circuit and fail, affecting certain diesel-equipped Silverado and Sierra trucks.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the engine block heater free of charge. On some models, they will also install a rerouted heater cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.