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2017 GMC Sierra Denali Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Mar 30, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 GMC Sierra Denali, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine325.0%
  • Other / unspecified216.7%
  • Powertrain (other)216.7%
  • Suspension18.3%
  • Airbags18.3%
  • Transmission18.3%
  • Exterior lighting18.3%
  • Seat belts18.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the knock sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 209,000.

NHTSA ID 11727937 · filed Mar 30, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering and vibrating. The contact pulled over and opened the hood with the engine running. The contact stated that there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the vehicle was still running rough. The contact was advised by the mechanic that the fuel injectors needed to be reprogrammed, and the vehicle was taken to a dealer. The dealer reprogrammed the fuel injectors, but the vehicle was still running rough. The dealer had not opened the engine up to diagnose the failure; however, the dealer thought that there might be a failure with connecting rods. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA ID 11698620 · filed Nov 10, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact was notified by her state inspection office that her vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V496000 (Equipment). The dealer was notified about the recall and informed her that parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall and contacted several dealers in her area; however, the dealers also did not have part available for the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID 11455918 · filed Mar 9, 2022

MY BRIDGESTONE TIRES HAVE DRY ROTTED ALL 4 TIRE MANUFACTURING DATE IS 2017 SAME AS MY TRUCK NEW I HAVE 28 THOUSAND MILES ON THE TRUCK TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOOK PICTURES OF ALL TIRES AND TOLD ME THEY WERE VERY BAD THE TIRES SHOW LITTLE WEAR ON THE TIRES ALL OF THE DRY ROT IN ON THE SIDEWALLS ONLY THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE HAS BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES AND TOLD ME TO CALL GM AND SEE IF THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING AS THEY WOULD NOT I DID CALL GM AND ALL THEY WOULD OFFER UP WOULD BE $100 DEALERSHIP VOUCHER GREAT JASON DOYLE TOOK PICTURES OF THE TIRES HE WORKS AT BILL DODGE 2 SAUNDERS WAY WESTBROOK MAINE HIS PHONE 207-857-4944

NHTSA ID 11376731 · filed Nov 27, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 1000 MILES AFTER FLUID CHANGE AND IT IS DOING IT WORSE NOW THAN BEFORE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER CLOSE TO ME AND THEY INFORMED ME TODAY THEY WERE GOING TO DO NOTHING AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! I UNDERSTAND FROM ALL I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM GM STILL IS BUILDING AND SELLING TRUCKS WITH THE 8 SPEED TRANS IN THEM AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. REALLY? I GUESS I WILL KEEP DRIVING MINE AND I HOPE THE TRANSMISSION JUST COMES APART THEN THEY WILL GIVE ME ANOTHER TRANSMISSION DOING THE SAME THING! JUST GREAT GM!

NHTSA ID 11364221 · filed Oct 13, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID 11331959 · filed Jul 1, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT STRUTS WITH ELECTRONIC CONTROL WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID 11399122 · filed Mar 4, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owned a 2017 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, he briefly fell asleep. As a result, the vehicle left the roadway and collided with the exit median, coming to a complete stop after careening into a side ditch. The air bags did not deploy, and the seat belt failed to properly retrain, resulting in head and neck injuries. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported to an area hospital by EMT and treated for various lacerations to his head and arms and an unstable fracture of the C7 in his lower neck, later requiring surgery. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider due to a bent chassis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they inspected the vehicle, concluding that the impact was not sufficient to trigger air bag deployment, estimating that the vehicle was traveling between 1 and 4 MPH and that the air bags were functioning properly. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 32,000.

NHTSA ID 11574702 · filed Feb 29, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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. The vehicle was diagnosed with a wiring harness failure on the transmission. The vehicle was repaired based on the diagnostic test but failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was parked at the residence and was undrivable. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

NHTSA ID 11723074 · filed Mar 9, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2017 GMC DENALI. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING AN INOPERATIVE PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AFTER REMOVING THE FIXTURE, HE DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO BULB. THE ONLY WAY TO REPAIR THE FAILURE WAS TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE FIXTURE. *JS

NHTSA ID 11407681 · filed Apr 14, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owned a 2017 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, he briefly fell asleep. As a result, the vehicle left the roadway and collided with the exit median, coming to a complete stop after careening into a side ditch. The air bags did not deploy, and the seat belt failed to properly retrain, resulting in head and neck injuries. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported to an area hospital by EMT and treated for various lacerations to his head and arms and an unstable fracture of the C7 in his lower neck, later requiring surgery. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider due to a bent chassis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they inspected the vehicle, concluding that the impact was not sufficient to trigger air bag deployment, estimating that the vehicle was traveling between 1 and 4 MPH and that the air bags were functioning properly. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 32,000.

NHTSA ID 11574702 · filed Feb 29, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .