GMC Sierra electrical problems, 2016–2026
649 of the 4,555 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the GMC Sierra 2016–2026 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2019 (100), 2022 (82), 2020 (81). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
GMC Sierra electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 11% | — | 11 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2025 | 26 | 21% | — | 121 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 44 | 12% | — | 302 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2023 in depth | 64 | 13% | — | 304 TSBs | the record → |
| 2022 in depth | 82 | 14% | — | 423 TSBs | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 76 | 13% | 23k | 326 TSBs | the record → |
| 2020 in depth | 81 | 17% | 6k | 452 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 100 | 15% | 8k | 553 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2018 | 43 | 13% | — | 365 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 60 | 14% | 48k | 538 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 58 | 15% | 60k | 555 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 23 · 2020: 55 · 2021: 37 · 2022: 67 · 2023: 56 · 2024: 91 · 2025: 178 · 2026: 133
Across the model years, half of the 160 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 4,000 and 63,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2019 Gmc Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the electrical system in the vehicle was defective which caused delays with several driver functions. He stated that the vehicle would restart while in operation after coming to a complete stop.
After shutting vehicle off, there's loud noises coming from behind the steering wheel that sounds like relays
While driving the vehicle, the radio will suddenly and instantly jump to full volume frightening the driver and passengers and making it hard to focus on the road and control the vehicle. The dealership and GM will not fix the issue as it happens intermittently
Unwanted Radio Volume Ramp Up to Max: The radio volume turned up to the maximum while driving and could not be turned down with user controls including those both on the steering wheel and the volume knob on the dash. The situation lasted about 60 seconds before it began responding again.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH at night, the vehicle stalled and the “Shift to Neutral and Restart Vehicle” message was displayed. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and was unable to visibly see the roadway. The contact was able to park on the side of the road.
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V494000 CriticalJul 30, 2026 · 11 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, GMC Sierra EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup vehicles. The high voltage battery may have an improperly secured internal module component.
- 24V320000 HighMay 9, 2024 · 10 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer EV SUV, and GMC Sierra EV vehicles. The electric motors in the rear drive units may have insufficiently insulated wires that can contact each other, resulting in a loss of drive power.
- 19V888000 CriticalDec 12, 2019 · 350,371 vehicles
- 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.
- 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."
Other systems with a record on the GMC Sierra
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: GMC Sierra problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich GMC Sierra years have the most electrical complaints?
2019, 100; 2022, 82; 2020, 81. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2025 (21%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the GMC Sierra?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V494000 (2026), 24V320000 (2024), 19V888000 (2020), 16V084000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the GMC Sierra?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 17,300 miles across the model years; half of them between 4,000 and 63,000. 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.