GMC Sierra Electrical System Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Apr 30, 2025 · 241 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 241 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the GMC Sierra across 23 model years. The 2004 model year has the most (39).

At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?

Based on 156 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles14 · 9%
10k–25k miles18 · 12%
25k–50k miles33 · 21%
50k–75k miles37 · 24%
75k–100k miles30 · 19%
100k–150k miles14 · 9%
150k+ miles10 · 6%

How serious are the reports?

Of 241 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 26 a fire, 6 an injury.

GMC Sierra electrical system complaints by model year

Peak: 2004, with 39 complaints
1995: 419951996: 51997: 1219971998: 91999: 1219992000: 122001: 1320012002: 62003: 3120032004: 39392005: 2320052006: 72007: 720072008: 152009: 920092010: 42011: 320112012: 72013: 520132014: 92015: 120152016: 22017: 62017

n = 241 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearElectrical System complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2017 Sierra610%3,200
2016 Sierra233%38,500
2015 Sierra12%152,000
2014 Sierra99%7,600
2013 Sierra513%5,000
2012 Sierra724%25,072
2011 Sierra37%25,000
2010 Sierra412%50,000
2009 Sierra924%40,000
2008 Sierra1522%67,435
2007 Sierra712%82,451
2006 Sierra713%61,500
2005 Sierra2320%60,000
2004 Sierra3921%62,000
2003 Sierra3115%62,250
2002 Sierra62%64,000
2001 Sierra135%70,000
2000 Sierra123%162,000
1999 Sierra122%58,850
1998 Sierra95%—
1997 Sierra125%145,000
1996 Sierra52%160,000
1995 Sierra42%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2014, with 40 complaints
1996: 119961997: 31998: 119981999: 22000: 1120002001: 172002: 1020022003: 72004: 520042005: 122006: 1220062007: 302008: 720082009: 82010: 920102011: 92012: 920122013: 152014: 402014402015: 182016: 720162018: 22019: 320192020: 12023: 120232024: 1

n = 241 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (7)

Electrical system:softwareFeb 11, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V084000 · 139 vehicles

Model years: 2016

Problem: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: 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 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15808.

Electrical system:ignitionOct 9, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V640000 · 3,073 vehicles

Model years: 2014, 2015

Problem: 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. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Risk: If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15573.

Electrical system:ignitionDec 30, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V827000 · 84,192 vehicles

Model years: 2011, 2012

Problem: 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. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Risk: If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

Electrical systemOct 1, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V614000 · 106,307 vehicles

Model years: 2014

Problem: 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. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.

Risk: If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM’s number for this recall is 14515.

Electrical system:software; seat belts:front:warning light/devicesJun 6, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V301000 · 57,512 vehicles

Model years: 2014

Problem: 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. The radios in the affected vehicles may become inoperative, and as a result, there would be no audible chime to notify the driver if the door is opened with the key in the ignition or no audible seat belt warning indicating the seat belts were not buckled. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention," and 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: Without an audible indicator, the driver may not be aware that the driver's door is open while the key is in the ignition, increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway. Additionally, there would be no reminder that the driver's or front seat passenger's seat belt is not buckled, which could increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: 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. GMC owners may contact GM's customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14315.

Electrical systemJun 4, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V240000 · 1,365,070 vehicles

Model years: 2007, 2008, 2009

Problem: 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 chevrolet traverse vehicles equipped with a heated washer fluid system (hwfs). A recall was implemented in 2008 to add a fuse to the control circuit harness to address the potential consequences of a printed circuit board (pcb) electrical short. However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on hwfs modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device's thermal protection feature. The significance varies from minor distortion to considerable melting of the plastic around the hwfs fluid chamber.

Risk: It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.

Fix: 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 disabled and removed from the vehicle. The safety recall began on june 11, 2010. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, saturn at 1-800-972-8876, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 and hummer at 1-800-732-5493 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Electrical systemAug 28, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V441000 · 857,735 vehicles

Model years: 2007, 2008

Problem: 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. A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire.

Risk: This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or http://www.saturn.com, gmc at 1-866-996-9436; or hummer at 1-800-732-5493; or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .

What owners report

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

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…

Received Oct 25, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11621956

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…

Received Mar 8, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11510803

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…

Received Mar 7, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11316706

After using the remote starter while vehicle was parked in my driveway, i started to drive my grandson to school. A short distance from home smoke and sparks started to emit from the rear seat next to the sliding window and electric rear window defroster. As i pulled over the rear window panel on…

Received Nov 13, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11279784

Gmc has refused to find a fix for the heater cord defect which is one of the main reason why i purchased the vehicle. I live in idaho. Gmc should compensate owners until fixed.

Received Oct 1, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11265310
GMC Sierra
A 2023 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD Ultimate in Titanium Rush Metallic. Grey import model from the United States.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all GMC Sierras have electrical system problems?

No. NHTSA has 241 owner complaints about electrical system for the GMC Sierra. 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 electrical system?

Yes: 7 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

Other GMC Sierra problems

See all GMC Sierra problems.