GMC Sierra 1500 Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 1,212 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the GMC Sierra 1500 across 31 model years. The 2014 model year has the most (129).
- 1,212electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 13mention a crash
- 10mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $920typical repair cost reported by owners
- 43%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the GMC Sierra 1500 at $920, and half of them between $710 and $1,100.
Based on 26 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2006–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 570 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,212 complaints, 13 mention a crash, 49 a fire, 10 an injury.
GMC Sierra 1500 electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sierra 1500 | 17 | 12% | 4,300 |
| 2025 Sierra 1500 | 25 | 21% | 25,319 |
| 2024 Sierra 1500 | 42 | 11% | 19,170 |
| 2023 Sierra 1500 | 64 | 13% | 23,250 |
| 2022 Sierra 1500 | 83 | 14% | 51,000 |
| 2021 Sierra 1500 | 75 | 13% | 31,150 |
| 2020 Sierra 1500 | 81 | 17% | 5,100 |
| 2019 Sierra 1500 | 95 | 15% | 7,997 |
| 2018 Sierra 1500 | 43 | 14% | 36,000 |
| 2017 Sierra 1500 | 54 | 15% | 53,000 |
| 2016 Sierra 1500 | 54 | 16% | 66,000 |
| 2015 Sierra 1500 | 96 | 13% | 46,000 |
| 2014 Sierra 1500 | 129 | 17% | 63,200 |
| 2013 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 5% | 55,500 |
| 2012 Sierra 1500 | 8 | 7% | 141,000 |
| 2011 Sierra 1500 | 17 | 6% | 124,000 |
| 2010 Sierra 1500 | 10 | 6% | 100,993 |
| 2009 Sierra 1500 | 20 | 9% | 65,000 |
| 2008 Sierra 1500 | 31 | 8% | 57,880 |
| 2007 Sierra 1500 | 22 | 8% | 43,000 |
| 2006 Sierra 1500 | 20 | 14% | 86,000 |
| 2005 Sierra 1500 | 67 | 38% | 70,000 |
| 2004 Sierra 1500 | 81 | 38% | 51,804 |
| 2003 Sierra 1500 | 43 | 24% | 72,151 |
| 2002 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 2% | 252,000 |
| 2001 Sierra 1500 | 7 | 5% | 62,000 |
| 2000 Sierra 1500 | 5 | 3% | 143,500 |
| 1999 Sierra 1500 | 8 | 5% | 90,000 |
| 1998 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 5% | 57,000 |
| 1997 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 2% | 191,065 |
| 1996 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 20% | 140,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
Model years: 2019, 2020
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.
Since I purchase this truck I've been having no audio twice a week. Dealer has no fix GMC knows they have issues and still they are selling this vehicles. Took a trip to [XXX] a storm was moving in and we had no audio to alert us I also believe with no audio we have no blinkers we almost cause an…
While stopped at at a light it turned green and I hit the gas and wouldn't move until I turned it off then back on again..
The Fuel pump modular system failed leaving me unable to start the vehicle and left me stranded in the [XXX] heat for hours. The vehicle only has 57k miles. There was a recall for this specific issue for many GM vehicles but not mine. There was no warning! It has been towed to Sheehan Buick in…
5/08/2026: I stopped outside my garage. I then placed the truck in park and exited the vehicle while running. I went inside my garage and several minutes later, heard a crash. The truck had driven forward while unattended, and crashed into the corner of my garage, causing damage to both the…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Sierra 1500s have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,212 owner complaints about electrical system for the GMC Sierra 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 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.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the GMC Sierra 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $920 (half paid between $710 and $1,100), from 26 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other GMC Sierra 1500 problems
- Engine problems (2,083)
- Power Train problems (1,343)
- Service Brakes problems (1,225)
- Air Bags problems (951)
- Steering problems (614)
- Structure problems (591)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (475)
- Exterior Lighting problems (339)
See all GMC Sierra 1500 problems.