I’ve Had Back-to-Back Issues With My GMC Sierra EV, and With Advertised Features Not Even Included With My Truck, I Worked Out a Swap for a Sierra 2500 HD Duramax Instead

Some vehicle choices are made out of excitement and others are out of necessity. For Cory Samuell, the decision to leave behind his brand-new GMC Sierra EV Edition 1 wasn’t about resisting the future, but it was about facing the reality of early EV ownership. Ultimately, he did what worked best for him, as dealing with ongoing issues, frustrating service experiences, and missing features came along his EV journey, Cory ended up making a bold switch back to a diesel-powered 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax. He shared the full story in the “GMC Sierra EV Group” on Facebook, where he explained what pushed him to make the move:

“Well everyone, I'm back to burning dinosaurs. With the back to back issues with the edition 1, extremely poor service from the dealer, and not many options with other dealers unless I wanted to drive an hour each way, and with features not even being coded into the truck although being advertised, I worked out a key swap with a better dealer for the 6.6L Duramax. Bigger towing, more miles per stop, and a robust aftermarket made the decision pretty easy. I hope all y'all have a better experience than I did.”

His story touches on several key issues facing today’s transitioning truck market. Important questions of how well early EVs are holding up under real-world pressure, how service centers are managing expectations, and what happens when the promise of software-driven features don't match delivery are all relevant regarding the Sierra EV.

The Promise vs. the Product

Cory’s frustrations aren’t about EVs as a concept. They’re about execution. Back-to-back issues on a brand-new flagship model, combined with limited dealer support and promised features missing from the truck entirely, would test anyone’s patience. Especially when this truck was supposed to be the crown jewel of GMC’s electric future.

There are those who see great results though, especially among owners who’ve put the Sierra EV straight to work. This owner's experience of towing a Tesla Model Y with the Sierra EV was smooth, powerful, and proved just how capable the truck can be when things go right.

Service Center Struggles and Software Shortfalls

What pushed Cory over the edge wasn’t just the vehicle itself. His original dealer wasn’t able to resolve issues promptly, and alternatives were too far to be realistic. Add on top the fact that advertised features weren’t even enabled in the truck due, and the result was a deeply frustrating ownership experience.

This is becoming a theme even in GM’s gas and diesel lineup, where customers are beginning to voice concern about recalls, delays, and patch-style fixes. One related case involved a Chevy Silverado ZR2 owner who was unimpressed when GM’s solution to an engine recall was simply using thicker oil. The technology may be cutting-edge, but the support still feels stuck in the past from dealers and GM.

Back to Diesel: What the Duramax Offers Instead

By returning to a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax, Cory traded uncertain EV software for the proven muscle of a 6.6L diesel V8. The move gives him better towing confidence, longer range between stops, and the familiarity of a platform that’s been in production for decades.

For truck owners who depend on capability more than novelty, this could be a move toward reliability. Although in recent days, even that is becoming a very serious concern for GM. The robust aftermarket scene for the Duramax platform does mean that Cory has plenty of ways to tailor the truck to his needs though.

What Other Owners Are Saying

Cory’s post drew reactions from owners who could relate and those who had quite the opposite experience.

Nick Felix was one of the first to jump in, saying:

“My Edition 1 has been in the shop 4 times in the last 5 months. Hoping this is my next truck soon!”

Nick’s comment adds more weight to Cory’s story. While many early adopters are excited to pioneer this new segment, they’re finding out that consistent up time is still elusive.

But not everyone had a negative take. James Seeliger offered a refreshing counterpoint:

“Hope it works out better for you. In my case, my 2025 GMC Sierra EV has been great after 11,500 miles so far. No issues and it's nice to plug in every night and ready to go in the morning. Mileage is not an issue for me and I love that I haven't been to the dealer yet. No oil changes, and I see the benefit of low maintenance in the future.”

James represents what many EV buyers hope for: reliable operation, minimal maintenance, and the joy of never visiting a gas station. His experience shows that when everything goes right, the Sierra EV can absolutely deliver on its promise for drivers with predictable daily routines and home charging access. As noted in another story about switching from a 3500HD diesel to the Sierra EV Max Range and using solar to cut fuel bills by 90%, EV ownership can be a huge win under the right circumstances.

However, not all diesel owners are thrilled either. Andy Rooh brought in another layer of perspective:

“I just lemoned my 2500. Clunky steering, squeaky brakes, Def issues etc.”

Even the tried-and-true Duramax platform isn’t immune to defects. Andy’s experience shows the difference in the types of issues that can arise.

Destry Earling chimed in as well with a twist of irony:

“My GMC diesel was lemon'd and I got the Sierra EV.”

That contrast captures today’s shifting truck market perfectly. While one owner bails on electric in favor of diesel, another makes the exact opposite move. It’s a reminder that every truck buyer comes with a unique set of needs, expectations, and dealbreakers.

But that's also why stories of lifelong GM truck owners who walk away from the company are becoming increasingly moree important. With complaints of reliability in the overall GM lineup, many are choosing to walk away.

That's why I think Cory’s experience is a perfect case study in how expectations clash with rollout realities. We often talk about EVs as the inevitable future, but for many truck owners, that future still feels half complete. And when advertised features are missing or the dealer network isn’t ready to support the product fully, loyalty fades quickly.

That doesn’t mean the Sierra EV is a bad truck, it just means that there are still areas for improvement. Software promises are only as good as the people and systems behind them. And when it comes to heavy-duty needs like towing, uptime, and some reliability, diesel still offers peace of mind that EVs haven’t consistently proven yet.

Key Takeaways for Shoppers Navigating EV vs. Diesel

• Support matters as much as specs: An amazing EV on paper can disappoint if the dealer network or service readiness isn’t there.
• Feature gaps are dealbreakers: Trucks marketed with certain software-enabled features need to have those features functional at delivery.
• EVs shine in stable, local use: As seen in James’s case, home charging and routine use bring out the best in electric trucks.
• Diesel isn’t obsolete. It’s dependable: For those towing heavy or driving far from charging infrastructure, diesel still wins on logistics.
• No perfect solution. Only what works for you: Every owner’s use case is different, and we’re now seeing both wins and losses on both sides of the EV vs. diesel line.

Tell Us What You Think

Have you ever switched from an EV back to a gas or diesel truck? Or vice versa? What pushed you to make that change?

And regarding the broader question of GM's reliability, do you think they are headed in the right or wrong direction? 

We would love to hear from you in our comments section below.

Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.

Image Sources: The “GMC Sierra EV Group” public Facebook group and GMC’s gallery, respectively.