Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2019 | 5 | 19% | 6,000 miles |
| 2017 | 7 | 9% | 24,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 11% | 55,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 5% | 48,000 miles |
| 2014 | 9 | 8% | 12,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 11% | 5,000 miles |
| 2012 | 7 | 18% | 25,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 4% | 25,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 9% | 50,000 miles |
| 2009 | 9 | 20% | 42,000 miles |
| 2008 | 17 | 20% | 79,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 12% | 82,000 miles |
| 2006 | 7 | 12% | 62,000 miles |
| 2005 | 24 | 20% | 60,000 miles |
| 2004 | 41 | 21% | 60,000 miles |
| 2003 | 31 | 15% | 65,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 3% | 64,000 miles |
| 2001 | 13 | 5% | 70,000 miles |
| 2000 | 12 | 3% | 162,000 miles |
| 1999 | 12 | 2% | 68,000 miles |
| 1998 | 9 | 5% | — |
| 1997 | 12 | 5% | 145,000 miles |
| 1996 | 5 | 2% | 160,000 miles |
| 1995 | 4 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra denali. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the tulley BMW of nashua dealer [phone], located at 147 daniel webster hwy, nashua, nh 03060) for an oil change, and it was mentioned that there was a recall. The technician performed a software update and repaired the seat belt under NHTSA campaign number: 19V814000 (seat belt). The contact stated that following the repairs, later that same day, the contact attempted to use the phone and the dashboard illuminated with all kinds of warnings, included, brake failure, no ABS brake. No power steering. Etc. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated that the phone app should not be used with the software update. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number: [redacted], telling the contact to expect a call back. The contact was not called back. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra denali. The contact stated that the reverse camera and the forward camera failed, the reverse and forward cameras flashed, the screen became blue in color, and the instrument panel also turned blue. The vehicle was taken to autonation GMC and Buick (330 north gibson road, henderson, nevada 89014, [phone]), four times for the failure. The dealer tested the electrical system and reprogrammed the software error. The dealer stated that the rearview camera and video processing control module video software were replaced; however, the repair did not correct the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: [redacted]. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 8,075. ('parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. …
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra Denali 2500. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH downhill, the message "Reduced Engine Power" was displayed. While the message was displayed, the trailer brakes and exhaust brake became inoperable, and the braking distance increased. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.
When I'm driving at a slow speed turning the truck looses all power and the steering wheel jerks out of my hand, stabilitrak is on the display and it says roll down driver window and roll back up! It also looses all power just driving down the road no matter the speed! I have also been stopped at a stoplight and it lost all power wouldn't come back on so I had to get out pop the hood and bang I. The battery box and cables and it started again! Very scary going 75 MPH and it shuts off leaving you no steering no brakes no lights no nothing! Sometimes it says power steering failure sometimes and sometimes it says stabilitrack problem at something about towing! The brakes were also affected no brakes
The contact owned a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would lose automotive power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the negative battery was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at approximately 45 MPH, a deer ran into the middle of the roadway and impacted the front grill and bumper. The Service Air Bag warning light was illuminated. After the impact, the contact noticed smoke was leaking into the interior of the vehicle from the front driver-side and passenger-side air bags. The contact stated that the vehicle would not move forward or reverse after the impact. The contact stated that the front driver-side and passenger-side seat belts failed to retract or extend. The contact and her husband were able to unbuckle the seat belts and safely exit the vehicle in time. …
While driving my truck, it has had 3 alerts on dash for "service stabilitrak, power steering use caution and trailer brake." vehicle gauges all drop to zero while operating vehicle and go on and off. The vehicle when this occurs also disengages from gear, vehicle is an automatic. Then engine revs up when it slips out of gear and generally goes back in gear as gauges come back on. The power steering seems to also lose some power. When this occurs, if you depress the gas pedal, you do not get any more power. This is technically the 6th occurrence. It has been back to dealer (griffin GMC of monroe, nc) and computer codes were cleared and nothing reported ie...technically found that would cause this issue per the dealership as unable to re-produce the cause. …
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that when doing the initial start, the rear of the vehicle began smoking and caught on fire. The contact turned off the vehicle and the fire settled however shortly after the rear window fractured. There were no injuries and no medical attention needed. There was no fire report. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the window needed to be replaced and there was a Canadian recall (Manufacturer Number N192220470 ) for the rear windows defrost failing. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra denali. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited numerous electrical failures. The failure caused the steering wheel to lock, the brake system not to engage, and the instrument panel and all other electrical systems in the vehicle not to operate normally. The vehicle was taken to marty's Buick GMC (5 collection way, kingston ma, 02364, [phone]) several times for the failure. The contact stated that the dealer replaced wires, but the failure was not corrected. The contact did not know the name of the wires that were replaced. The contact also stated that the electrical failure also caused a crash on the road median because the steering wheel locked. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for further inspection. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. …
Related recalls (7)
Electrical system › Software
Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at…
Electrical system › Ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks manufactured January 24, 2014, to February 26, 2014, 2015 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles manufactured February 12, 2014 and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles manufactured February 6, 2014, to February 13, 2014.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2015.
Electrical system › Ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015.
Electrical system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014.
Electrical system › Software
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, and 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban vehicles equipped with a base radio and an internal amplifier.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 2, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM's customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Show 2 more recalls
Electrical system
GM is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 Buick enclave; Cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; Saturn outlook; and model year 2009…
Remedy: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently…
Electrical system
GM is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 Buick lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; my 2007-2008 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl, Saturn outlook; and my 2008 Buick enclave vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system.
Remedy: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2008. Owners May contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or http://www.Cadillac.com;…
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 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (41), 2003 (31), 2005 (24), 2008 (17) and 2001 (13) model years. Electrical complaints make up 21% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra electrical problems?
Yes — 7 recalls, including 16V-084 (software, Feb 11, 2016); 15V-640 (ignition, Oct 9, 2015); 14V-827 (ignition, Dec 30, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Sierra electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (47 mentions), followed by the 12v/24v/48v battery (15).
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.