2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Electrical System Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 15, 2026 · 81 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, 17% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 5,100 miles.

At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?

Based on 27 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles17 · 63%
10k–25k miles2 · 7%
25k–50k miles2 · 7%
50k–75k miles2 · 7%
75k–100k miles1 · 4%
100k–150k miles2 · 7%
150k+ miles1 · 4%

How serious are the reports?

Of 81 complaints, 2 a fire, 1 an injury.

GMC Sierra 1500 electrical system complaints by model year

Peak: 2014, with 129 complaints
1996: 119961997: 21998: 31999: 819992000: 52001: 72002: 320022003: 432004: 812005: 6720052006: 202007: 222008: 3120082009: 202010: 102011: 1720112012: 82013: 62014: 12920141292015: 962016: 542017: 5420172018: 432019: 952020: 8120202021: 752022: 832023: 6420232024: 422025: 252026: 172026

n = 1,212 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearElectrical System complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 Sierra 15001712%4,300
2025 Sierra 15002521%25,319
2024 Sierra 15004211%19,170
2023 Sierra 15006413%23,250
2022 Sierra 15008314%51,000
2021 Sierra 15007513%31,150
2020 Sierra 15008117%5,100
2019 Sierra 15009515%7,997
2018 Sierra 15004314%36,000
2017 Sierra 15005415%53,000
2016 Sierra 15005416%66,000
2015 Sierra 15009613%46,000
2014 Sierra 150012917%63,200
2013 Sierra 150065%55,500
2012 Sierra 150087%141,000
2011 Sierra 1500176%124,000
2010 Sierra 1500106%100,993
2009 Sierra 1500209%65,000
2008 Sierra 1500318%57,880
2007 Sierra 1500228%43,000
2006 Sierra 15002014%86,000
2005 Sierra 15006738%70,000
2004 Sierra 15008138%51,804
2003 Sierra 15004324%72,151
2002 Sierra 150032%252,000
2001 Sierra 150075%62,000
2000 Sierra 150053%143,500
1999 Sierra 150085%90,000
1998 Sierra 150035%57,000
1997 Sierra 150022%191,065
1996 Sierra 1500120%140,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2025, with 27 complaints
2020: 152020152021: 112021112022: 2202222023: 5202352024: 8202482025: 272025272026: 13202613

n = 81 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cablesDec 12, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V888000 · 350,371 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The battery positive (B+) cable rings may have been manufactured with excessive glue, potentially causing an intermittent electrical connection between the B+ cable and alternator.

Risk: An intermittent electrical connection between the B+ battery cable and the alternator could cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. The intermittent connection could also lead to electrical arcing, which could generate sufficient heat to damage surrounding material, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect for the presence of glue or other contamination at the B+ cable attachment to the alternator and clean the connection and reattach the B+ cable connection, as necessary. If arcing has damaged the cable, nut, or alternator, the dealer will replace the damaged components. All services will be performed free of charge. GM issued owners an interim notification on February 4, 2020. GM issued second notice and the recall began March 9, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192273510.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently and needed to be jumpstarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that there was corrosion on the ground wire which caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired…

Received Oct 7, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769576

6 months after owning it the lifters went bad got them Fixed then they immediately went bad again also bent rods then a day after getting that fixed again the oil pump went bad it was issue after issue

Received Sep 28, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767573

5/5/25 woke up back seat entire truck flooring soaking wet back glass cracked. 4/8/25 transmission went out 117,000 miles 7/3/25 exhaust leak and placed nox 1. 7/8/25 127551 mileage exhaust leak replace gaskets, belt , tensioner, and pulley, 6/8/2025 3 knock sensors replaced and replaced intake…

Received Sep 15, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11764362

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2020 GMC Sierra 1500s have electrical system problems?

No. NHTSA has 81 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 (17% of the 479 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 electrical system?

Yes: 1 safety recall list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do electrical system problems start?

The median reported mileage is 5,100 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

Other 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

See all 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 problems or electrical system problems across all Sierra 1500 years.