FaultScore

GMC Sierra electrical problems

262 of the 4,896 complaints filed about the GMC Sierra are about the electrical system — 5% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.

262

Complaints

5%

Share of all complaints

6

Crashes

27

Fires

Electrical System complaints by model year

1983 Sierra 1 0.4%
1989 Sierra 2 0.8%
1990 Sierra 1 0.4%

Median failure at 55,000 miles

1992 Sierra 1 0.4%

Median failure at 178,000 miles

1993 Sierra 5 1.9%

Median failure at 87,510 miles

1994 Sierra 6 2.3%
1995 Sierra 4 1.5%
1996 Sierra 5 1.9%

Median failure at 160,000 miles

1997 Sierra 14 5.3%

Median failure at 145,000 miles

1998 Sierra 9 3.4%
1999 Sierra 13 5.0%

Median failure at 58,850 miles

2000 Sierra 12 4.6%

Median failure at 162,000 miles

2001 Sierra 14 5.3%

Median failure at 59,637 miles

2002 Sierra 6 2.3%

Median failure at 64,000 miles

2003 Sierra 31 11.8%

Median failure at 62,250 miles

2004 Sierra 40 15.3%

Median failure at 61,000 miles

2005 Sierra 23 8.8%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2006 Sierra 7 2.7%

Median failure at 61,500 miles

2007 Sierra 7 2.7%

Median failure at 82,451 miles

2008 Sierra 15 5.7%

Median failure at 67,435 miles

2009 Sierra 9 3.4%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

2010 Sierra 4 1.5%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

2011 Sierra 3 1.1%

Median failure at 25,000 miles

2012 Sierra 7 2.7%

Median failure at 25,072 miles

2013 Sierra 5 1.9%

Median failure at 5,000 miles

2014 Sierra 9 3.4%

Median failure at 7,600 miles

2015 Sierra 1 0.4%

Median failure at 152,000 miles

2016 Sierra 2 0.8%

Median failure at 38,500 miles

2017 Sierra 6 2.3%

Median failure at 3,200 miles

What owners said

2016 GMC Sierra at 75,000 miles Huntingtown, MD Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. No injuries were sustained. No police reports or fire reports were filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and was towed to the contact's home where it remained for further investigation. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #11621956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 GMC Sierra at 152,000 miles Canal Fulton, OH Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11510803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 GMC Sierra at 70,000 miles Campbell, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #11316706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 GMC Sierra at 23,500 miles North Babylon, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 THE PASSENGER SIDE BURST. I ASSUME FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT GENERATED BY THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER.

NHTSA complaint #11279784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 GMC Sierra Caldwell, ID

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11265310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 GMC Sierra at 415 miles Thousand Oaks, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC SIERRA. WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND SURGED FORWARD. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SILVER STAR BUICK GMC (3601 AUTO MALL DR, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91362, (805) 222-4789) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER ,THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 415.

NHTSA complaint #11219070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 GMC Sierra at 200 miles Kennett Square, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN REVERSE IS ACTIVATED AT NIGHT, THE BACKUP CAMERA COMES ON AT FULL BRIGHTNESS AND IS NOT DIMMABLE. THE BRIGHT SCREEN PREVENTS VIEW OF THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES VISIBILITY IN THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WHILE REVERSING. THE SCREEN CANNOT BE DEACTIVATED AND BLINDS THE DRIVER. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11154567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 GMC Sierra at 3,200 miles Durango, CO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN REVERSE IS ACTIVATED AT NIGHT, THE BACKUP CAMERA COMES ON AT FULL BRIGHTNESS AND IS NOT DIMMABLE. THE BRIGHT SCREEN PREVENTS VIEW OF THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES VISIBILITY IN THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WHILE REVERSING. THE SCREEN CANNOT BE DEACTIVATED AND BLINDS THE DRIVER. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11140197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 GMC Sierra at 99,550 miles North Tonawanda, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PURCHASED MY 2008 GMC SIERRA TRUCK IN NOVEMBER 2015 AFTER HAVING FOR ONLY 5 MONTHS DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL ONLY LOCK OR UNLOCK SOMETIME, MAKING IT UNSAFE IF YOU NEEDED TO EXIT QUICKLY DUE TO ACCIDENT OR FIRE. SEEN MANY OTHER POST ABOUT SAME PROBLEM. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10854215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 GMC Sierra Andalusia, AL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DOOR LOCKS DON'T WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10851972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 GMC Sierra at 51,000 miles Mason, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THERE IS A EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ELECTRICS ISSUE WITH MY 2014 GMC SIERRA 1500 ALL TERRAIN. IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS MY TRUCK HAS LOCKED THE STEERING AT LOW SPEED WHILE TURNING 8 TIMES. (I COULD HAVE EASILY BROKEN A FINGER A LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK) .ON 5 OF THE TIMES I HAD STEERING ISSUE THE TRUCK HAD NO POWER TO ANYTHING INCLUDING KEY FOBS FOR A PERIOD OF 10 TO 15 MINUTES. THEN THE TRUCK WILL POWER UP AGAIN. FORTUNATELY THESE ISSUES HAVE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED. THIS HAS HAPPEN 8 TIMES IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS . IT HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE REGARDING THIS ISSUE THEY CHANGED THE BATTERY AFTER ONLY 18 MONTHS (10/2015) THE ISSUE OCCUR AGAIN 2 DAYS AGO WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH MY TRUCK SHUT DOWN NO POWER THEN IN LESS THAN A SECOND IT POWERED UP AGAIN ALL THE SETTING ON MY RADIO, CLIMATE CONTROL CHANGED.THAT DAY I STOPPED TO GET GAS GOT BACK IN MY TRUCK PULLED AWAY FROM THE PUMP THE STEERING LOCKED TRUCK SHUT DOWN AGAIN FOR 20 MINUTES. THIS TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT A DEALERSHIP THEY STILL CAN NOT DIAGNOS THE ISSUE. I'M EXTREMLY CONCERN THAT SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED IF THIS WAS TO HAPPEN WHILE OPERATING THIS TRUCK. I DID SEE THAT MAY OTHER OWNER OF GMC SIERRA HAVE EXPRESSED SIMILAR CONCERNS. THE ISSUES NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. AS FOR MYSELF I PLAN TO THIS TRUCK AFTER THE DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTS ANOTHER REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10851504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 GMC Sierra at 2,000 miles Charlotte, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. I RETURNED THE TRUCK TODAY AFTER THIS 6TH OCCURRENCE DUE TO MY FEAR OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH MY CHILDREN AND GETTING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS LAST OCCURRENCE OF DASHBOARD GAUGES AND SHARED THEM WITH THE DEALERSHIP. FIRST OCCURRENCE PICTURES ARE FEB 29, 2016 AND SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES ON ODOMETER. ENTIRE TIME, VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING ON LOCAL ROAD, EITHER AT STOP OR DRIVING BELOW 45MPH MOVING STRAIGHT AHEAD. I COULD NOT REPLICATE OR CAUSE THE ISSUE TO HAPPEN AGAIN ON PURPOSE, VERY RANDOM.

NHTSA complaint #10850797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 GMC Sierra at 82,451 miles Fenton, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AS TRUCK WAS STARTED AFTER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND BEING PULL OUT OF GARAGE ON11/10/15 THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE FRONT OF TRUCK. WHEN THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, THE MECHANIC SAW THAT THE WIRING WAS EXPOSED DUE TO CONTINUOUS SCRAPING AGAINST TRUCK FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #10850520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 GMC Sierra at 22,000 miles Bartow, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA complaint #10850234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 GMC Sierra at 120,000 miles Valencia, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

RUSTED OUT/ CORRODED BRAKE LINES BURST WHILE STOPPING FOR A DEER RUNNING OUT ON THE ROAD. WAS WARNED OF THIS PROBLEM UPON PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN 2010 AND PERSONALLY COATED ALL BRAKE LINES B4 WINTER EVERY YEAR...NEVER SAW WORSE LINES! I OWN CLASSIC CARS THAT ARE TWICE AS OLD WITH SHINEY ORIGINAL BRAKE LINES. THE FUEL LINES ALSO ROTTED OUT SPILLING FUEL OVER THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AND ON THE GROUND WHILE FILLING UP. ALL FUEL LINES AND FUEL PUMP CONNECTIONS WERE SEVERELY ROTTED. WORST I HAVE SEEN. DASH CONSISTENTLY CHANGES LANGUAGES RENDERING ODOMETER NON FUNCTIONAL. SPEEDOMETER IS INACCURATE SOME TIMES NOT EVEN WORKING ESPECIALLY ON COLD DAYS. HMMMM ROTTED BRAKES+NO SPEEDOMETER+LEAKY FUEL LINES=CRASH,BANG BOOM!..AND I HAVE A CAR SEAT IN MY VEHICLE! LUCKLY I PERFORM PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AND DRIVE SAFELY. STILL WONDER HOW THESE ISSUES GOT SWEPT UNDER THE RUG.

NHTSA complaint #10818811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 GMC Sierra at 75,000 miles Atlanta, GA Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WHICH RESULTED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A GUARDRAIL. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED AFTER THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #10810661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 GMC Sierra at 47,000 miles Bryan, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED AS DESIGNED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ACTUATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 1/21/16 *SS

NHTSA complaint #10790762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 GMC Sierra at 11,900 miles Manchester, NH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VEHICLES HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUSLY INEFFECTIVE. THEY RARELY ILLUMINATE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN 2 TELEPHONE POLES. THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS IS AMPLIFIED ON HILLS OR ON ANY TURN. THE DURING THE TRANSITION FROM DECLINE TO INCLINE, YOU SOMETIMES HAVE BARELY A TRUCKS LENGTH OF ILLUMINATION. ANY CORNER ON A DARK ROAD REQUIRES A SEVERE DECREASE IN TRAVEL SPEED TO AVOID OVER DRIVING THE LIGHTS. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN A VEHICLE THAT MADE ME FEEL MORE APPREHENSIVE TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL AFTER DARK. I VISITED THE DEALER WHO EXECUTED A TSB THAT INCREASED HEADLIGHT VOLTAGE AND REPLACED THE BULBS. IT MADE A NEGLIGIBLE IMPROVEMENT AND LEFT THE VEHICLE STILL UNSAFE AT NIGHT. I FREQUENTLY TRAVEL ON RURAL ROADS WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. I HAVE ALMOST HIT WILDLIFE TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT DUE TO THE POOR VISIBILITY CAUSED BY THESE DANGEROUS HEADLIGHTS. TRAVEL OVER 30 MPH ON DARK COUNTRY ROADS WITH A LEGAL SPEED LIMIT OF 50 IS ILL ADVISED DUE TO THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS.

NHTSA complaint #10790500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 GMC Sierra Killeen, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS TRUCK PROVIDE INADEQUATE LIGHTING, INCLUDING BOTH LOW BEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS. ANY NIGHT DRIVING IS DIFFICULT DUE TO LIMITED VISIBILITY, THERE SIMPLY IS NOT ENOUGH ILLUMINATION TO SEE. CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS - ESPECIALLY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 35 MPH OR DURING PRECIPITATION. THE HEADLIGHT HAS A SEVERE DESIGN FLAW WITH GMS SAYS IS A SHUTTER SYSTEM. THIS TYPE OF DESIGN DOES NOT LEAVE ANY OPTIONS FOR SIMPLY CHANGING THE TYPE OF BULB - THE DESIGN IS ACTUALLY AT FAULT FOR THE POOR VISIBILITY. THE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS SIMPLY CANNOT BE FIXED WITH A DIFFERENT BULB TYPE DUE TO THE SHUTTER DESIGN TYPE. THE NEED FROM A NEW HEADLIGHT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MANY COMPLAINTS ARE BEING REGISTERED ONLINE RELATED TO THE VISIBILITY PROBLEM. THESE TRUCKS ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. IF THERE IS A STANDARD FOR MINIMUM HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING, THIS MODEL HEADLIGHT NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED IF IT IS MEETING THE MINIMUM STANDARD. NOT SAFE, A DEFINITE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS ATTENTION.

NHTSA complaint #10781573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 GMC Sierra at 29,994 miles Wichita Falls, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE MOVING WITH TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN BE SWITCHED OFF. BY DOING SO, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAIL TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK, NOT ALLOWING TO STEER. THERE HAVE BEEN A SAFETY CONCERNS WITH OTHER GM PRODUCTS, WHY NOT THIS MODEL? THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA complaint #10750195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other GMC Sierra problems