2017 GMC Sierra transmission and drivetrain problems
145 of the 429 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2017 GMC Sierra name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 286 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database4 of the 145 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2017: 5 · 2018: 9 · 2019: 23 · 2020: 17 · 2021: 13 · 2022: 17 · 2023: 10 · 2024: 28 · 2025: 17 · 2026: 6
Half of the 70 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 10,000 and 65,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
429 complaints in all about the 2017 GMC Sierra, 6 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: GMC Sierra transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, failed to accelerate, and stalled. The vehicle was unable to shift into third gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was drivable and was taken to the dealer.
While driving my Gmc Sierra Denali the transmission shudders really bad. I have a 2017 with just 13,200 miles on it. I was pulling my bass boat and the shurdder was so bad my dash was shaking and the steering wheel was also .I have had the fluid changed at the dealership and it shifted fine and did not shudder until it reached around…
Harsh downshift intermittent between 20 and 30 MPH. Binding/clunking at low speeds when downshifting into first or up shifting into 2. Transmission shudder when accelerating in first gear. Vehicle lunges forward intermittently at low speeds when shifting
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.
Extremely hard shifts up-and-down in the 1st 2 gears followed by hesitation after stopping and starting
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications286 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
B3055 B3060 B3935 P0101 P0263 P0266 P0269 P0272
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2017 GMC Sierra names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2017 GMC Sierra
Source: the same files- brake problems 127 complaints
- engine problems 67 complaints
- electrical problems 60 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2017 GMC Sierra?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 145 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (34% of everything owners filed about it), and 286 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2017 GMC Sierra?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 6 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2017 GMC Sierra?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 29,000 miles; half of them between 10,000 and 65,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.