GMC Sierra problems
211 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Body: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 38,000–97,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My dash had 4 cracks in it. The part covering the passenger air bag is very in safe
2010 GMC sierra. Consumer writes in regards to steering wheel noises and recall notice 16v-381 issues. *smd the consumer stated there was a whispering sound coming from the steering wheel. *jb
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 GMC sierra 1500. The contact stated that when the pistons were loose and struck the cylinder wall, it would loosen up the engine and caused an abnormal knocking from the engine. The dealer was notified of the failure who advised the contact that the…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 GMC sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2010 GMC Sierra reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 211 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 GMC Sierra is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2010 GMC Sierra?
The 2010 GMC Sierra is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Body: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 38,000–97,000 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2010 GMC Sierra?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 85 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 76,923 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 76,923 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my GMC Sierra has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 GMC Sierra?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 211 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.