GMC TruckSierra 3500 HD2019Overview/gmc-truck/sierra-3500-hd/2019/base/

2019 GMC Truck Sierra 3500 HD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 Sierra 3500 HD.

Body TRUCK

The 2019 GMC Sierra 3500 HD is a heavy-duty diesel truck that relies on 0W-20 viscosity engine oil for its diesel powerplant, placing it squarely in the workhorse segment where towing and durability matter most. With 12 owner complaints logged against it and 7 recalls on record, the 2019 model year sits on the lower end of the Sierra 3500 HD's broader complaint history spanning 1999 through 2026 — well below the 108-complaint peak seen in 2014, though not as trouble-free as the single-complaint 2001 model. The top complaint area, categorized as "Unknown or Other," is vague enough that prospective buyers should focus their due diligence on the recall history rather than owner-reported trends, but the relatively modest complaint volume suggests this model year avoided the major systemic issues that plagued the generation's worst years.

Model year2024202220212019

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacityDiesel EnginesOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R Must use a AGM VRLA battery. · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12690386. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R Must use a AGM VRLA battery. · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT265/70R18/E 124/121S; DRW: LT235/80R17/E 120/117R; with Snow Plow Prep Package: LT265/70R18/E 124/121S; DRW with Snow Plow Prep Package: LT235/80R17/E 120/117ROEM · verified
Wheel / rim8; DRW: 6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12690386 alt 12691158
Engine air filter23349854 alt 84850016
Fuel filter13539108
Spark plug12680072
Battery88865934 alt 88864542
Front wiper blades23417074
Serpentine belt19210691 alt 12645694
Thermostat12680544 alt 12680457
Cabin air filter23281440

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds Diesel Engines of 0W-20 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDot 3
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil15W-40 · 5W-40 · 0W-20
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsDiesel Engines: 15 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub185.0 Do not re-use old hub nut. ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs
Ignition TimingNot Adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable VarianceNot Adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number94R Must use a AGM VRLA battery.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca
Optional BCI Group NumberAuxiliary: 48
Optional BCI Cranking PerformanceAuxiliary: 730 cca
Standard BCI Group Number94R Must use a AGM VRLA battery.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca
Optional BCI Group NumberAuxiliary: 48
Optional BCI Cranking PerformanceAuxiliary: 730 cca

Brakes

ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079 in; Rear: 0.079 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 85°.15 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts

1Large bolts 1-1822 ft. lbs
2Large bolts 1-1859 ft. lbs
3Large bolts 1-18120 degrees
4Small bolts 19-2424 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts

1M11 bolts22 ft. lbs
2M11 bolts90 degrees
3M11 bolts70 degrees
422.0
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M11 Bolts 1-1022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M11 Bolts 1-1022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Large Bolts 1-1822 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 37 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7415 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
13.7 ft. lbs.3.7 ft. lbs
27.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15 ft. lbs. Alternate tightening all fasteners evenly. Start at the center and work outwards.11 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
13.7 ft. lbs.3.7 ft. lbs
27.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15 ft. lbs. Alternate tightening all fasteners evenly. Start at the center and work outwards. Apply a 5mm wide band of tread lock to threads of bolts.11 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
13.7 ft. lbs.3.7 ft. lbs
27.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15 ft. lbs. Alternate tightening all fasteners evenly. Start at the center and work outwards. Apply a 5mm wide band of tread lock to threads of bolts.11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
At 45,000 miTransmission Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 75,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2019 GMC Truck Sierra 3500 HD top in one area — the unknown or other, 2 of 12 reports (17%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 7 recall campaigns target the unknown or other, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the unknown or other pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
656
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
12
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 12 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other2
Service Brakes2
Air Bags1
Equipment1
Electrical System,Service Brakes,Engine1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Exterior Lighting1
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V496000Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block HeaterReported 01/07/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater… Remedy: Dealers will replace engine block heaters and heater cords. Vehicles that have this feature disabled as a remedy to the safety condition will be contacted and offered replacement…

19V328000EngineReported 25/04/2019

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6… Remedy: GM will contact owners, dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Additionally, in Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles, dealers will install a new…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 656 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5544J2026-06-24Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates information on a hydraulic rush type noise from…
PIP61142026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis document restricts dealers from ordering an engine assembly. The technician must…
PIT5509M2026-05-14Unknown Or OtherThis PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sierra 3500 HD. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2019 Sierra 3500 HD take?

Diesel Engines of Gasoline Engines: 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2019 Sierra 3500 HD have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.