2000 GMC Sierra 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 26 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes, hydraulic; the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Previous years of my truck with the Allison "branded" transmission have been reported to lock up while driving. From what I can gather there was a recall. Instead of fixing the issues with the transmission a program was installed to put the transmission in limp mode during the failure. My model, a 2023 apparently came with the limp mode feature already installed. When my transmission failed it took the truck out of gear and locked up for a moment before I could safely pull over.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2025
“Faulty inside door handles and mechanicisms.the door handle itself will break or the connecting mechanism will break not allowing the occupants any ability to leave from the vehicle in case of an emergency or otherwise causing them to be trapped inside. This is particularly dangerous in a fire, submerged in water or windows freezing shut from ice or snow.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 gmc 3500 equipped with bf goodrich tires, size lt245/75/r16. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 12t019000 (tires:tread/belt) and went to a local tire shop to have the tires changed however, the contact was advised that they were not aware of the recall. The contact notified the manufacturer who advised him to return to the tire shop to have the tires replaced. The tires were never replaced. The dot number was unavailable. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Brake lines have rusted and ruptured in my 2000 gmc 3500 3 times. I am the original owner. Last replacement lasted only 23 months. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2010
“Brake lines have corroded to the point the vehicle fails local safety inspection cause was said to be bad material used in brake line construction. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2010
“Exiting the highway on an off ramp, applied the brakes and the peddle went to the floor. Found a brake line had corroded and burst. Had to repair along the road. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 gmc 3500. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle shut off and the braking and steering functions became inoperable. When the failure occurs, the contact must jumpstart the vehicle or wait until the vehicle cools down in order for it to be restarted. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure because it could not be duplicated. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 58,000 and current mileage was 62,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2008
“Dt*: the contact stated the tailgate cable on the driver's side rusted and broke. The passenger side was also rusted and was about to break. There is an NHTSA recall, # 06v066000 regarding the structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments however the VIN was not included in the recall. Updated 07/25/06. *jb”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2006
“Road debris bounced up and broke off the shifter cable rendering my shifter inoperable. I had to crawl under the truck and shift it by hand to get it to a place to have the cable replaced. Very dangerous. *nm”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2006
“Dt: a 2000 gmc 3500 dump truck which was passing by struck the consumer who was on a bicycle. This resulted in a cracked bicycle helmet and caused consumer to be thrown out of the way by the side view mirror. The consumer sustained serious injuries. Consumer felt this was a design flaw and filed a safety complaint. *ak *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CHASSIS CABS. THE TAPERED HOLE IN THE DRAG LINK END THAT ATTACHES TO THE PITMAN ARM TAPERED BALL STUD MAY BE MACHINED TOO DEEP CAUSING THE HOLE TO BE OVERSIZED. A DRAG LINK WITH AN OVERSIZED HOLE MAY NOT "SEAT" THE PITMAN ARM TAPERED BALL WHEN ASSEMBLED. THIS COULD CAUSE HIGHER THAN NORMAL FRICTION BETWEEN COMPONENTS DURING OPERATION, AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN JOINT SEPARATION OR A BROKEN BALL STUD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING LINKAGE ASSEMBLY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRAG LINK AND THE PITMAN ARM.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 3500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 26 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic.
Does the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.