The GMC Sierra 2500HD is a full size pickup truck that first entered the automotive market as a 2001 model year.
It is a heavy-duty truck designed for serious hauling and towing, thanks to its beefy powertrains and robust frame.
In this article, we’ll identify all of the best and worst model years of the Sierra 2500HD.
Table of Contents
Here’s The Short Answer To What The Best And Worst Years For The GMC Sierra 2500HD Are:
The best GMC Sierra 2500HD model years are 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2012, and 2010. The worst model years of the Sierra 2500HD are 2004, 2005, 2007, 2015, 2006, 2011, and 2016. This is based on auto industry reviews, NHTSA statistics, reported problems, and consumer feedback.
What Are The Best Years For The GMC Sierra 2500HD?
2023 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2023 Sierra 2500HD is a highly capable heavy-duty full size pickup truck.
It boasts a large cabin, immense cargo space, and top-notch hauling and towing capacity.
This particular model year comes in 5 trims: Pro, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali.
Pricing ranges from approximately $48,500 to $75,000, with the top-spec Denali trim being the most popular among the bunch.
Our favorite advanced safety features from this model are the Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Camera Mirror, and Transparent Trailer View.
- Edmunds: 4.3 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2 / 5.0
- JD Power: 83 / 100
2023 X7, Edmunds review:
“If you want to go from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton for towing your larger than 30’ travel trailer, this is an excellent choice. The new 6.6 gas motor will give you convenience towing any bumper pull trailer. If pulling the heavier 5th wheel trailers you probably want to go with the diesel. This truck with the gas motor rides really nice towing and empty. Don’t expect 1/2 ton gas mileage. I’m getting around 15 -16mpg highway and 12-14 city…”
2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2022 Sierra 2500HD is a highly advanced truck that is built to last, even when used for heavy duties on a regular basis.
It comes with a standard 6.6-liter gasoline V8 engine (401 horsepower) but can be swapped with an optional 6.6-liter diesel V8 engine (445 horsepower).
The gasoline variant is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission while the optional diesel version comes paired with a 10-speed automatic.
Four-wheel-drive can be equipped for the base and midrange trims (Pro, SLE, and SLT) but comes standard for the premium versions (AT4 and Denali).
Auto journalists have praised this models available in-cabin tech including a helpful towing camera system.
- Edmunds: 4.3 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2 / 5.0
- JD Power: 83 / 100
2022 X7, Edmunds review:
“The truck in itself is wonderful. It uses way too much DEF fluid when pulling a trailer. The stiffer Springs in the rear are causing a rough ride with a trailer. Great power, love the camera system, love the handling, very quiet.”
2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2021 Sierra 2500 HD is the second iteration of the fourth generation of Sierra 2500 models.
It has great standard features, lots of customizability options, and comes in 3 types: Crew Cab, Regular Cab, and Double Cab.
New to this particular model year are additional driver assistance aids, expanded optional safety, off-roading, and utility features, and even more add-on packages.
Owners praised the following aspects of this truck: appearance, sound system, value, reliability, and manufacturing quality.
It is an absolute beast of a truck and is powered by a workhorse engine, so at best, expect only 17 to 18 MPG for highway driving.
- Edmunds: 4.4 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2 / 5.0
- JD Power: 84 / 100
2021 X7, Edmunds review:
“I love love love my truck. It is stylish, powerful and durable. I am going to pull a 28′ camper so I wanted a truck that I felt would do the job. I do agree with some of the other reviews, after many miles the seats are hard but that can be fixed with a lamb skin seat cover…”
2019 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2019 Sierra 2500HD is the final version of the third generation of Sierra 2500 models.
It has a powerful diesel engine option, immense hauling and towing capabilities, and a solid interior and exterior build quality.
It has a maximum towing capacity of 13,000 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 2,943 pounds.
With these numbers, owners can tow large travel trailers, boats, horse trailers, heavy equipment, and car trailers with relative ease.
Interesting safety features are its OnStar Telematics, Lane Departure Warning, and Teen Driver Mode.
- Edmunds: 3.9 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.7 / 5.0
- JD Power: 81 / 100
2019 X7, Edmunds review:
“An incredibly powerful and proven truck. Super happy with every aspect of the truck except the dated built in nav functionalities. It is too cumbersome to use while driving. Full cell phone integration overcomes this. Diesel/Allison tyranny combo is powerful but quiet. Denali trim makes for a very comfortable ride. My friends said it is like riding in a giant, very comfortable luxury car. Lots of places to plug in all of your mobile gadgets. A year later, and no regrets. Able to haul anything I have needed to, I made several long trips over 1000 miles each. I put bigger AT tires on and it’s even better.”
2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2018 Sierra 2500HD, which comes as a Double Cab, Crew Cab, or Regular Cab, is a supremely efficient and capable full size pickup truck.
This heavy-duty truck is best known for its impressive hauling and towing capacities, refined and quiet ride, and massive power from both engine types (gas and diesel).
The standard engine is a 6-liter V8 gasoline engine (360 horsepower) while the optional engine is a 6.6-liter V8 diesel engine (445 horsepower).
New to this particular model is the integration of a 7-inch center touchscreen console paired to a rearview camera.
Owners loved the following aspects of this model: towing ability, reliability, manufacturing quality and minimal road noise.
- Edmunds: 3.9 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.7 / 5.0
- JD Power: 81 / 100
2018 X7, Edmunds review:
“Pulling my camper is great. Pulling a large travel trailer is a dream. Hardly know it’s back there. Great mpg. Diesel is great. Empty I’m getting 23 mpg. Pulling gets 15 mpg. Previous truck getting 9 mph. Rides are really good. 5k miles on it now. No issues so far. My 2018 GMC Sierra 2500 HD crew cab has been just awesome. 22,000 miles on it now. It’s the boss on the open road. Hills are no problem. Rolls up down hills with ease. Other trucks going by are in passing gear mode. I’m purring down the road. I’d buy it again.”
2012 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2012 Sierra 2500HD is a dated model but is widely considered to be one of the most reliable and best-value-for-money pickup trucks of its time.
It has a refined and quiet ride, solid build quality, and responsive steering.
Its best quality, however, is its towing and hauling capacities.
When properly equipped, this truck can tow up to a whopping 13,000 pounds.
Based on owner feedback, noteworthy highlights of this model are its comfort, appearance, and ride quality.
- Edmunds: 4.7 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.6 / 5.0
- JD Power: 83 / 100
2012 X7, Edmunds review:
“Overall I am very pleased with this car and would prefer it to the rest in the bunch. The RAM did have a slightly better ride, but the towing capacity just wasn’t up to par. There are several annoying things though: 1.The dash and center stack are kinda ugly and just don’t look right 2.The headrest are in a awkward position 3. The steering wheel doesn’t telescope”
2010 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2010 Sierra 2500HD is massive in size, ambitious in tech, and reasonably priced.
For 2010 a more powerful 6-liter V8 engine was introduced.
Aside from its fantastic towing and hauling capacities, its steering response is confidence-inspiring.
The interior build quality is also top-notch, with extremely comfortable seating as the icing on the cake.
Owners loved the overall driving experience, transmission, towing, and manufacturing quality of this truck.
- Edmunds: 4.5 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.6 / 5.0
- JD Power: 87 / 100
2010 X7, Edmunds review:
“I bought this truck from a local used car dealer. I drive this truck mostly through the mountains of southwestern PA hauling my travel trailer. I previously owned a 2005 F250 diesel. There is absolutely no comparison between the two trucks. This GMC outperforms the ford in every way possible. I never thought I would say this considering my grandfather, my father, and I have been Ford guys our entire lives but the proof is in the way the truck drives, handles, pulls, and the reliability I have experienced with this truck. I have driven this truck for more than 15,000 miles and overall I am completely satisfied. I have to say that this is by far the best truck I ever owned.”
Consumer Scores For Best GMC Sierra 2500HD Years
| Model Year | Edmunds Consumer Rating | Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating | JD Power Consumer Rating |
| 2023 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 4.3 / 5.0 | 4.2 / 5.0 | 83 / 100 |
| 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 4.3 / 5.0 | 4.2 / 5.0 | 83 / 100 |
| 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 4.4 / 5.0 | 4.2 / 5.0 | 84 / 100 |
| 2019 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 3.9 / 5.0 | 4.7 / 5.0 | 81 / 100 |
| 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 3.9 / 5.0 | 4.7 / 5.0 | 81 / 100 |
| 2012 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 4.7 / 5.0 | 4.6 / 5.0 | 83 / 100 |
| 2010 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 4.5 / 5.0 | 4.6 / 5.0 | 87 / 100 |
Related: 14 Best & Worst GMC Sierra 1500 Years (With Pictures)
What Are The Worst Years For The GMC Sierra 2500HD?
2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2004 Sierra 2500HD, according to statistics online, is the most problematic model year ever produced and one to steer clear of.
The model’s most notorious issue was its brakes, specifically brake failure due to defective brake lines.
Our research has led us to identify rust and corrosion as the primary factors that contributed to premature wear and tear of the brake lines.
One owner shared his experience below:
“I was leaving a parking lot, and as I hit my brakes, there were no brakes. I limped home, using the e-brake and transmission to keep the truck under control. Upon inspection I found the front brake line rusted and leaking.”
The 2004 Sierra 2500HD had a total of 169 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 11 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Fuel injectors failed
- Overheated with plow attached
- Brake lines rusted out
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2005 Sierra 2500HD was a close second in terms of total problems reported online.
Like the previously discussed model year, this truck experienced brake-related issues due to poor quality brake lines.
Another prominent area of concern, was the model’s faulty electrics with many complaints filed about the speedometer.
Here’s what owners had to say:
“Fuel gage, speedometer broken, oil gage , battery indicator etc all stopped working. Also steering column has been fixed three times and broke again.”
“Speedometer operation erratic. It suddenly reads at half the actual speed (compared to gps reading). Then it reads zero. Other gauges and cruise control function. Worked fine after a restart but then it started reading erratically again.”
The 2005 Sierra 2500HD had a total of 150 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 14 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Faulty speedometer readings
- Transfer case and rear end continually being replaced
- Brake lines rusted
- Transmission slipping
2007 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2007 Sierra 2500HD was affected by the infamous Takata airbag recall.
In a nutshell, Takata was a Japanese company that manufactured airbags for numerous manufacturers in the 2000s and early 2010s.
Soon after, several reports and problems surfaced indicating that the airbags were not functioning as expected.
Commonly cited problems include failure to deploy during collisions, sudden deployment, airbag warning indicator, and flying shrapnel when deployed.
The 2007 Sierra 2500HD had a total of 86 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 1 complaint at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Defective extendable mirrors
- Diesel engine issues
2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2015 Sierra 2500HD had faulty headlights, according to numerous sources.
Owners reported poor visibility due to poor brightness.
One owner explains the problem wonderfully, by stating:
“ … The dim light does not allow the driver to effectively see road hazards, pedestrians, bicyclists, animals or other obstacles that may appear and thus is a safety hazard.”
The 2015 Sierra 2500HD had a total of 80 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 29 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Terrible projector headlights
- Headlights went out
- Horrible passenger side airbag design
2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2006 Sierra 2500HD, like its predecessors (2004 and 2005 model years), had problematic brake lines, leading to brake malfunctions and even complete brake failure.
Owners experienced brake failure while driving, which led to extremely dangerous situations on the road.
The 2006 Sierra 2500HD had a total of 76 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 7 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Engine blew
- Rear differential blew
- Brake pads and rotors wear prematurely
2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2011 Sierra 2500HD, much like the 2007 Sierra 2500HD, fell victim to faulty airbags associated with the Takata recall.
There were not as many reports logged online but several owners experienced issues nevertheless.
The 2011 Sierra 2500HD had a total of 69 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 22 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- High pressure fuel pump failure
- Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) system failure
- Fuel leak
2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD
The 2016 Sierra 2500HD may be the least problematic on this list, but its most prominent problem area is one of the most dangerous to have – steering-related problems.
According to reports, making simple turns would require a lot of steering wheel rotations.
One owner shared the findings for his faulty steering below:
“Steering box adjustment screw backed out causing excessive slop in the steering wheel. This is a well documented problem with these trucks with GM’s solution is to add loctite and torque nuts. I believe that this is a temporary solution and it could back out again. Should have a mechanical lock to prevent it from backing out.”
The 2016 Sierra 2500HD had a total of 59 problems according to CarProblemZoo.com and 6 complaints at CarComplaints.com.
Common problems:
- Overheating
- Transmission failure
- Check trailer wiring warning indicator comes on
Related: GMC Sierra Tune-Up & Maintenance Costs (Complete Guide)
What Years Have The Most Complaints?
| Model Year | Complaints (CarComplaints.com) | Problems (CarProblemZoo.com) | Recalls (NHTSA.gov) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 GMC Sierra 2500HD | NA | 4 | 0 |
| 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD | NA | 11 | 1 |
| 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 6 | 13 | 4 |
| 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 4 | 42 | 6 |
| 2019 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 4 | 18 | 3 |
| 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 4 | 29 | 4 |
| 2017 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 4 | 36 | 6 |
| 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 6 | 59 | 7 |
| 2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 29 | 80 | 17 |
| 2014 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 5 | 37 | 14 |
| 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 5 | 37 | 6 |
| 2012 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 15 | 28 | 5 |
| 2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 22 | 69 | 6 |
| 2010 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 2 | 11 | 6 |
| 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 5 | 33 | 6 |
| 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 1 | 73 | 5 |
| 2007 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 1 | 86 | 3 |
| 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 7 | 76 | NA |
| 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 14 | 150 | NA |
| 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 11 | 169 | NA |
| 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 12 | 129 | NA |
| 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 15 | 113 | NA |
| 2001 GMC Sierra 2500HD | 6 | 87 | NA |
What Problems Do GMC Sierra 2500HDs Have?
- Terrible projector headlights
- High pressure fuel pump failure
- Diesel exhaust fluid system malfunction
- Headlights went out
- Horrible passenger side airbag design
- Fuel leak
- Emission system requires service warning message
- Cracked dashboard
- Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) sensors stop working
- Brake lines rusted out
- Excessive oil consumption
- Universal joints
- Will not start unless air is bled off
- Brake lines ruptured
- Transfer case rub-through causes leaks
- Fuel injectors failed
- Overheated with plow attached
- Transfer case and rear end continually being replaced
- Transmission slipping
- Engine blew
- Rear differential blew
- Brake pads and rotors wear prematurely
- Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) system failure
- Check engine light on
- Lane assistance not working
What Are The Best Alternatives To The GMC Sierra 2500HD?
| Make & Model | Score | MSRP | Fuel Economy (MPG) |
| Ford F-250 | NA | $44,830 – $91,675 | City: 2 – 20 /Highway: 2 – 26 |
| Ram 2500 | NA | $50,190 – $78,190 | City: 10 – 21 /Highway: 14 – 29 |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD | NA | $48,495 – $74,995 | City: 14 – 24 /Highway: 17 – 29 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD | NA | $41,195 – $64,795 | City: 14 – 24 /Highway: 17 – 29 |
| Toyota Tundra | 8.1 | $37,865 – $76,145 | City: 17 – 20 / Highway: 20 – 24 |
| Nissan Titan | 7.2 | $39,700 – $61,980 | City: 15 – 16 /Highway: 20 – 21 |
Source: cars.usnews.com, edmunds.com
Related: 14 Best & Worst GMC Sierra 3500HD Years (With Pictures)
References
https://www.caranddriver.com/gmc/sierra-2500hd-3500hd
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/gmc/sierra
https://www.edmunds.com/gmc/sierra-2500hd/
https://www.kbb.com/gmc/sierra-2500/
https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2022/gmc/sierra-2500hd
https://www.carcomplaints.com/GMC/Sierra_2500/
https://www.carproblemzoo.com/gmc/sierra2500/
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/GMC/Sierra
