Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 20% | — |
| 2025 | 3 | 18% | — |
| 2024 | 15 | 30% | 20,000 miles |
| 2023 | 4 | 14% | — |
| 2022 | 7 | 22% | 40,000 miles |
| 2021 | 4 | 20% | 26,000 miles |
| 2020 | 9 | 18% | — |
| 2019 | 3 | 23% | 53,000 miles |
| 2018 | 2 | 14% | 54,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 23% | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 11% | — |
| 2015 | 6 | 19% | 51,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2013 | 1 | 7% | 5,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 22% | 90,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 10% | 98,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 50% | — |
| 2009 | 1 | 20% | 74,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 4% | 38,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 13% | 13,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 13% | 62,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 21% | 73,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 14% | 50,000 miles |
| 2001 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2000 | 1 | 4% | 1,000 miles |
| 1999 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 1998 | 1 | 8% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Intermittent loss of trailer brake function. While traveling and towing a RV trailer with electric brakes, receive a dashboard alert that trailer brakes have been disconnected. This has occurred since vehicle was new. Trailer brake system has been inspected and trailer is not the issue. Took truck to GMC dealer. They are well aware of common issue with GMC owners. GMC issued a safety bulletin 6+ months ago to dealers to replace the integrated trailer brake controller (RPO code JL1). Per reports that has not solved the issue. My truck did not fall into that safety bulletin. Customer Satisfaction Program number N232414840 says, with the brake issues caused by a potential fault in which voltage feedback occurs. This is a DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE.
weekly you will start the truck and have no audio of any kind. No blinker noises no collision warning noises, no radio, no on star noise. No sound at all and sound will never come back on until you turn truck off and wait 20 mins. GMC says it's a known software issue, but this has been going on since I bought the truck brand new back is April of 2025. I live in a hands free while driving state when it's come to cell phone use and can't even take a call with no audio of any kind. I don't see how GMC can say this isn't a safety issue.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH and towing a Forest River Riverstone Legacy 5th Wheel trailer, the brake pedal was depressed to slow for oncoming stopped traffic; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed with the "Service Trailer Brake" warning light illuminated. The contact was able to stop however, the brake pedal had to be depressed to the floorboard to slow the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and was made aware of Customer Satisfaction Program: N232414840 - and replaced the Trailer Brake Power Module (TBPM). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact returned the vehicle to the same dealer and the Trailer Brake Power Module was replaced a second time. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. …
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and hauling a trailer, the message "Trailer Brake Disabled - Service Required" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was related to TSB Number: 23-NA-113; however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,390.
We've had issues with the electrical system/brake lights when we hook any trailer (horse/boat/utility) to the truck. One issue is that the system shows unconnected and the trailer lights blink or do not work. We've brought this in to the dealer 3 times and they have yet to resolve the issue. The other issue of melted plastic on our rear sliding mirror. It just appeared one day, possible after using the rear defog button. We took it to the dealer and they also do not know what is the issue. We found several other blogs where owners have had the same issue. This is a newer vehicle, and we live in Southern California where the temperature is mild. It just appeared one day. We are concerned This is a safety issue with the electrical system melting the plastic and possibly causing a fire. …
My truck has the shift to park issue and won't allow me to shut the vehicle ignition off and I cannot shut the vehicle ignition off and it is unsafe and keeps me trapped in my vehicle. I have noticed that it is a common issue and recall on many gmc trucks and I took it to the dealership and they are not wanting to cover it with my two warranties I have on the truck and my vehicle is unsafe. I cannot park the vehicle and shut it off. When I go to put the truck in park on shift column lever, it says shift to park on dash and I turn it on and move shifter to drive and neutral and the vehicle still won't allow me to shut it off and it shows the same issue.. the issue just began out of no where.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the trailer plug was connected, and electrical fuses popped. The contact stated that all the fuses were blown. In addition, the contact stated while driving the vehicle, the trailer brakes failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the trailer brakes went off and on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with trailer brake control module failure. The contact was informed that the trailer brake control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had previously occurred, and an unknown part was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 3500 equipped with a 2024 Gatormade 35+5 Trailer. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions, the "Check Trailer Wiring" message was displayed. Additionally, when the brake pedal was depressed however, the trailer did not slow as intended; however, the rear brake lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
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 3500 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2024 (15), 2020 (9), 2022 (7), 2015 (6) and 2004 (5) model years. Electrical complaints make up 30% of all complaints for the 2024.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra 3500 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 3500 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles; 48% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the integrated trailer brake control (7 mentions), followed by the instrument cluster/panel (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.