Today's crop of full-size trucks are plenty capable for most users, but for the select few who need to tow and haul even more, heavy-duty trucks are the way to go. The 2024 Sierra 2500HD is the first rung in GMC's heavy-duty lineup, supporting the even more capable 3500HD. When this Sierra HD generation debuted four years ago, it lagged behind rivals in towing capacity and interior quality, but improvements along the way have largely evened the playing field. Within that field, the GMC Sierra is positioned as a more luxurious version of the related Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD.
With heavy-duty pickups, capability is the name of the game, and for 2024 the GMC Sierra 2500HD receives upgrades that finally make it competitive against other trucks in the class. Power from the optional diesel engine rises to 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque. GMC says the engine offers 25% more low-end torque compared to last year. The gasoline engine also upgrades to a 10-speed transmission, replacing the previous six-speed. These result in an increase in conventional towing to 21,900 pounds for crew-cab models and 22,500 pounds for regular- and extended-cab models. Off-road enthusiasts will appreciate the new AT4X trim that builds on the returning AT4 model, while the new Denali Ultimate trim pushes luxury even further.
Competitors to consider
With towing capabilities now comparable to other heavy-duty trucks, the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD is on more solid footing. It's more expensive than the related Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD but also notably more luxurious. We're partial to the Ford F-250 Super Duty, which was redesigned last year. It benefits from a wealth of new technology, including worksite apps and tools. The Ram 2500 is another favorite, with a smooth ride and a cabin similar to the GMC in premium design and materials.
2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD trim level differences
The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD is a heavy-duty pickup truck available in two-door regular-cab, four-door extended-cab (Double Cab) and four-door crew-cab configurations matched with the standard 6.8-foot or the long 8.1-foot cargo bed.
Which Sierra 2500HD trim does Edmunds recommend?
For most people, we recommend the midrange SLT trim. It adds several features that dress up the interior and improve capabilities, making it feel much more polished than the rather spartan lower trims.
The overall sentiment from owners about the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD is mixed. Many owners love the truck's strength, style, and comfort, especially for towing and long rides, and they appreciate features like the touchscreen with plenty of camera options. However, there are complaints about uncomfortable seats, tech issues, service problems, and some drivers have found the truck difficult to handle or park. Despite these issues, some owners still find it a great truck for heavy-duty needs, although others have been disappointed by the problems they’ve encountered.
This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews
I purchased and still have a 2024 GMC Denali Ultimate that I have had nothing but issues with since the second week of purchasing new. The truck left me and my family stranded in Walsenburg Colorado with only 1,253 miles on it. We called On Star to have a wrecker take it to the dealer. On Star wouldn’t send a wrecker because we had a 22’ utility trailer so we where out a wrecker bill. I … called Ferguson GMC where I purchased the vehicle from and left multiple messages for my salesman and the GM to see what my options were. I never received a call or text from either. One week after the day it broke down I did get a call back from the service manager MIKE GENOVESE . Mike informed me there was nothing they could do since it was already at another dealership. The truck was taken to Wilcoxson GMC in Pueblo Colorado where it sat for 6 weeks getting a new DPF filter and Pressure Differential Sensor. GM has still been unwilling to compensate for the 6 weeks of being with our primary vehicle used for work. We literally had to purchase another New GMC from Wilcoxson to get home as there where no loaner vehicles available. When our 2024 GMC showed up at our house through GM reunite program it had 680 miles more than when it was delivered to the dealership and there was no diesel or def fluid in the truck. We finally got a reimbursement check for the hotel room we had to get for 2 nights waiting for the dealership to open. I wouldn’t recommend buying anything from General Motors as they don’t stand behind anything. I have spent over 40 hours trying to get a fair compensation or Buy Back from GM and have yet to get anywhere with them. I was told they would Repurchase it and was told to get in contact with MIKE GENOVESE the service manager at Ferguson GMC in Norman Oklahoma. I called Mike to schedule a time to bring it in for the Buy Back and he didn’t know anything about it. So I called Shaun Gusumano back and he assured me Mike was brought up to speed and would be handling it. Once again I called Mike and still isn’t aware. If you are having any issues with getting ahold of GM please let Shaun know as he is not taking care of my issues. [contact info removed]
The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 3 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 3 out of 5, ranks it #10 out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks.
Reliability Rating by RepairPal
3 out of 5 stars3/5Above Average
#10 out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
$840/yr
vs. $752/yr for Average Fullsize Truck
Frequency
0.67x/yr
vs. 0.98x/yr for Average Fullsize Truck
Severity
22.3%
vs. 19.9% for Average Fullsize Truck
powered by RepairPal
Recalls
3 recalls found
Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
Recall Number:
24V894000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N242469160
Number of vehicles affected:
131231
Defect Description:
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra HD 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently unlatching while the vehicle is in Park.
Defect Consequence:
An unlatched tailgate may open and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N242469160. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA Recall 24V-060.
Recall Number:
24V060000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N232426400
Number of vehicles affected:
570434
Defect Description:
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently unlatching while the vehicle is in park.
Defect Consequence:
An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232426400.
Recall Number:
23V549000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N232414720
Number of vehicles affected:
3893
Defect Description:
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles. The steering gear shaft may fracture and disconnect from the steering arm.
Defect Consequence:
A steering arm that disconnects may result in a total loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232414720.
Coming off a full redesign last year, the Ford F-250 is the heavy-duty pickup to beat in the class. With a conventional hitch capacity of 20,000 pounds to match the Sierra and a fifth-wheel/gooseneck capacity up to 23,000 pounds, the F-250 holds a slight towing advantage. In terms of technology, the Ford has an edge, offering 5G capability and several useful tools and apps for worksites.
The Ram 2500 also matches the Sierra's 20,000-pound conventional two capacity and finds a few advantages in regard to comfort, interior and technology. Ram uses a coil-spring suspension, which delivers a smoother and more comfortable ride, especially when the bed is unloaded. Its interior is more luxurious than the competition, rivaling the GMC's Denali trims. Add in the handy RamBox bedside bins and it's hard to turn away from the Ram.
The Sierra and Silverado are nearly identical underneath their bodywork, with similar capabilities and manners on the road. The Chevy isn't as luxurious or refined as the GMC, but it's also not as expensive. That places the Silverado as a better truck for job-site duties, while the Sierra could be thought of more as a foreman's or manager's rig.
Our experts’ favorite Sierra 2500HD safety features:
Side Blind Zone Alert
Warns the driver with visual and audible alerts when other vehicles are in the truck's blind spots.
Rear Camera Mirror
Camera-based, unobstructed 180-degree view of what's behind the truck, shown on the rearview mirror glass.
Transparent Trailer View
Uses cameras to stitch together an image that allows the driver to see through a trailer to what's behind and to the sides of it.
FAQ
Is the GMC Sierra 2500HD a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 Sierra 2500HD both on the road and at the track. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a GMC Sierra 2500HD. Learn more
What's new in the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD:
Slight styling refresh
Powertrain upgrades increase towing capacity
New Denali Ultimate and AT4X trims debut
Part of the fourth Sierra 2500HD generation introduced for 2020
To determine whether the GMC Sierra 2500HD is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Sierra 2500HD. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Sierra 2500HD's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 Sierra 2500HD is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD?
The least-expensive 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD is the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $92,900.
Other versions include:
Denali Ultimate 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) which starts at $92,900
Denali Ultimate 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A) which starts at $93,200
What are the different models of GMC Sierra 2500HD?
If you're interested in the GMC Sierra 2500HD, the next question is, which Sierra 2500HD model is right for you? Sierra 2500HD variants include Denali Ultimate 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A), and Denali Ultimate 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl Turbodiesel 10A). For a full list of Sierra 2500HD models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more