GMC Sierra 1500 Electronic Stability Control (esc) Problems
Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about electronic stability control (esc) problems on the GMC Sierra 1500 across 18 model years. The 2014 model year has the most (56). The words owners use most often: “traction control” (9% of reports).
- 124electronic stability control (esc) complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Traction control: mentioned in 11 of 124 complaints (9%)
- Service ESC: mentioned in 10 of 124 complaints (8%)
- Trailer brake: mentioned in 10 of 124 complaints (8%)
- Steering assist reduced: mentioned in 7 of 124 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do electronic stability control (esc) problems happen?
Based on 111 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 124 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 3 an injury.
GMC Sierra 1500 electronic stability control (esc) complaints by model year
| Model year | Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 0% | 86,636 |
| 2020 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 1% | 7,000 |
| 2019 Sierra 1500 | 16 | 2% | 8,050 |
| 2018 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 0% | 150 |
| 2017 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 0% | 67,171 |
| 2016 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 2% | 50,900 |
| 2015 Sierra 1500 | 13 | 2% | 60,000 |
| 2014 Sierra 1500 | 56 | 8% | 70,000 |
| 2013 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 1% | 100,000 |
| 2012 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 3% | 80,000 |
| 2011 Sierra 1500 | 7 | 2% | 75,150 |
| 2010 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 1% | 118,000 |
| 2009 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 1% | 51,000 |
| 2008 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2007 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 1% | 180,000 |
| 2006 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 1% | 138,000 |
| 2005 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 1% | 222,500 |
| 2004 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 1% | 44,250 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes; electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:abs warning light
Model years: 2019
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Cadillac CT6, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. Due to an Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) software error, the vehicle's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Antilock Brake System (ABS) may become disabled. Furthermore, if this specific error occurs, the vehicle's diagnostics will not illuminate the instrument cluster ESC and ABS malfunction warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: If the driver operates the vehicle unaware that ESC and ABS are not functioning, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192268090.
Service brakes; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ring; electronic stability control (esc)
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
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 while driving at approximately 35-40 MPH and hauling a trailer in stop-and-go traffic, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, and the vehicle started losing power. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the…
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly respond. There were no warning lights illuminated; however, the message ESC was displayed. The contact stated that the brakes, steering, and a message to check the trailer brakes was…
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the transmission would downshift, and the vehicle was aggressively shaking while idling and while depressing the brake pedal. While driving approximately 35 - 40 MPH, the Electronic Stability Control…
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle came to a screeching stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electronic brake control module had…
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, with the stabili-trak warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had since lost steering functionality. The vehicle was…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Sierra 1500s have electronic stability control (esc) problems?
No. NHTSA has 124 owner complaints about electronic stability control (esc) 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 electronic stability control (esc)?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list electronic stability control (esc). Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about electronic stability control (esc) problems on the GMC Sierra 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “traction control”, in 11 of 124 complaints, followed by “service esc” (10).
Other GMC Sierra 1500 problems
- Engine problems (2,083)
- Power Train problems (1,343)
- Service Brakes problems (1,225)
- Electrical System problems (1,212)
- Air Bags problems (951)
- Steering problems (614)
- Structure problems (591)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (475)
See all GMC Sierra 1500 problems.