Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 33% | 9,000 miles |
| 2025 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2024 | 33 | 31% | 8,000 miles |
| 2023 | 6 | 18% | 177,000 miles |
| 2022 | 12 | 28% | 98,000 miles |
| 2021 | 6 | 12% | — |
| 2020 | 13 | 17% | 9,000 miles |
| 2019 | 9 | 28% | 87,000 miles |
| 2018 | 7 | 20% | 44,000 miles |
| 2017 | 6 | 16% | 30,000 miles |
| 2016 | 9 | 15% | 35,000 miles |
| 2015 | 11 | 12% | 115,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 13% | 23,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 7% | 80,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 13% | 67,000 miles |
| 2011 | 9 | 14% | 15,000 miles |
| 2009 | 7 | 23% | 65,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 5% | 208,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 6% | 56,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 6% | 83,000 miles |
| 2005 | 42 | 37% | 70,000 miles |
| 2004 | 48 | 34% | 56,000 miles |
| 2003 | 36 | 23% | 92,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% | 63,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% | 125,000 miles |
| 2000 | 3 | 6% | 75,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 6% | 100,000 miles |
| 1998 | 1 | 7% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact called on behalf of an insurer who owns a 2026 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that 15 minutes after the vehicle was parked and turned off, a neighbor informed the owner that the vehicle had caught on fire. The owner and the neighbor extinguished the fire using water hoses. The contact stated that the fire originated under the rear passenger's side seat and was caused by an overheating amplifier that had short-circuited. No warning light was illuminated. The Fire Department responded to the scene and filed a report. There was no Police report filed. There was no injury or property damage. The vehicle remained parked, and the owner intended to return the vehicle to the dealer. The owner was provided a loaner vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened, but no assistance was provided. …
During normal use, the factory wireless phone charging pad in the center console overheated, produced visible smoke inside the cabin, and melted the charging surface area. No liquids or foreign metal objects were present. The phone was placed normally on the charging pad. The incident created a burning smell and visible damage to the interior trim. The system did not shut down before damage occurred. This appears to be a potential electrical or thermal safety failure in the factory-installed wireless charging system.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. The 4WD system engaged unintendedly, and the park assist sensor was inoperable while an unknown message was displayed. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who replaced an unknown module and reset the computer, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer five times, but the failure recurred after several unknown repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had requested for a buyback from the dealer, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle drove by on the driver's side of the vehicle, and the blind spot alert light illuminated on the passenger's side of the vehicle, even though the vehicle was present on the driver's side. The contact also stated that the failure only occurred when the Adaptive Cruise Control was activated. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was able to duplicate the failure but was unable to provide a fix. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 3.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that on several occasions, after the vehicle had been parked for approximately two days, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was jump-started and taken to a dealer three times, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired three times, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 33,000.
The contact works for a company that owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced intermittent electrical failures. While driving, the vehicle stalled upon acceleration, followed by a total loss of electrical power. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The failure mileage was 177,000.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while her husband was driving approximately 75-80 MPH, and the contact was in the front passenger's side seat, the vehicle lost motive power, and the infotainment system and instrument panel turned off unexpectedly. The contact's husband pressed the PUSH to START button, and the vehicle was able to be restarted. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving 70-75 MPH on one occasion, the vehicle shut off unintendedly. The contact exited the highway and pulled into a gas station. The contact stated that upon pressing the PUSH to START button, the vehicle restarted as needed. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving on a third occasion; however, the vehicle was able to restart independently. …
I was driving my 2022 GMC 2500 HD (not towing, just normal drive) after an oil change <900 miles ago and new brakes/rotors 3 days prior <100 miles (total mileage 81,000, serviced exclusively at GMC dealership) when the loss of power alert flashed on the screen. I was 2 miles from my destination, going approx 55mph, so I kept driving to destination, when the vehicle stalled in driveway. As I was scrolling through menus to see the alert I looked up and smoke and flames were coming out of the engine. I attempted to extinguish with a fire extinguisher I had with me, but it was no use. The entire engine was engulfed, melting out, tires and windshield exploded from heat etc. Total loss. Vehicle was inspected by insurance co fire investigator, no origin confirmed due to extent of damage. …
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with an auxiliary battery.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse, and provide the owner with supplemental Owner Manual information, free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In response to an information request letter sent by the office of defects investigation(odi) during preliminary evaluation pe08-010, GM provided odi with 41 allegations of non-crash engine compartment fires including 16 allegations of fires originating with the ignition in the off position.one of the fires was determined to be caused by an arson event.odi has also received 5 reports, 4 of which are of duplicative…
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In a letter dated August 27, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 08v-441) to address a safety relateddefect that can result in engine compartment fire in approximately 850,000 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield washer fluid option.the subject vehicles of this investigation comprise over three-quarters of the recall population.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Sierra 2500 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (48), 2005 (42), 2003 (36), 2024 (33) and 2020 (13) model years. Electrical complaints make up 34% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra 2500 electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 14V-407 (electrical system, Jul 2, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Sierra 2500 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (50 mentions), followed by the wiring › interior/under dash (4).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.