2016 GMC Sierra electrical problems
58 of the 377 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Sierra name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). Filed under the same heading: 555 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 58 reports a crash · 9 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2020: 11 · 2021: 7 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 8
Half of the 25 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 28,000 and 80,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
377 complaints in all about the 2016 GMC Sierra, 8 filed in 2025. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Electrical System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: GMC Sierra electrical problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I have diesel 3500 1fuel tank the fuel gauge doesn't always come on and if does it may take several miles before it begins to work. Or sometimes it may just quit. Then other time it may work just fine. There seems to be a problem. The problem did not start till I turned about 40,000 I have about 42,000 now.
I remote started my vehicle, drove to town, smelt something burning. Rear window shattered driver side
The contact owns a 2016 Gmc Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed several gauges became inoperable. The driver information system illuminated a code and the power steering ceased. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to young buick Gmc dealer.
Started truck with rear defrost on, loud gun-like sound and smoke came from left, rear window and left window shattered while stationary
Rear window glass on driver side of sliding rear window exploded after using defrost in cold weather while driving on the interstate
What is on file about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 16V084000 ModerateFeb 11, 2016 · 139 vehicles
- 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."
555 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0300 P2635 B3055 B3060 B3935 C1114 U0126 U0415
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 GMC Sierra names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 GMC Sierra
Source: the same files- brake problems 114 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 92 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre electrical problems common on the 2016 GMC Sierra?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 58 owner complaints naming the electrical system on this model year (15% of everything owners filed about it), and 555 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the 2016 GMC Sierra?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 16V084000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the 2016 GMC Sierra?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 59,900 miles; half of them between 28,000 and 80,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.