Which GMC Sierra 1500 years have the most electrical complaints?

Model year 2019 leads, with 2022, 2021, and 2020 next. Complaints build up over time, so 2025 and 2026 look better mainly because they are newer. Fire reports show up in each year from 2018 through 2023, so no older year is clear of them.

Is it safe to drive a Sierra 1500 with an electrical problem?

It depends on the symptom. Dead audio is mostly an annoyance, though it also silences safety chimes. Stalling, lost power steering, burning smells, or smoke are serious. Owners reported fires after such signs, so stop driving and have the truck inspected.

Is there a recall for Sierra 1500 electrical problems?

Federal records list one electrical recall, 19V888000, for 2019 and 2020 trucks. It covers B+ cable rings with excess glue that may cause an intermittent connection at the alternator. It does not cover the infotainment, tailgate, or other faults. Check the VIN for open recalls.

Why does my Sierra 1500 tailgate open by itself?

Owners of 2021 through 2023 trucks report the power tailgate opening on its own, sometimes while driving and often after car washes. One 2021 report blames moisture in its electronics. One owner had the rear control replaced, and the fault came back months later.

What does it cost to fix Sierra 1500 electrical faults?

Costs vary by fault. The only figure in owner reports is a 2021 owner quoted over $1,300 for a radio module after an over-the-air update, out of warranty. Many owners describe several dealer visits, so budget for diagnosis time as well as parts.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

GMC Sierra 1500 Electrical Problems

Electrical faults on the GMC Sierra 1500 range from dead infotainment and false warnings to sudden stalls, and some owners report fires.

Owner complaints: 310
Share of all complaints: 12%
Crash / fire / injury reports: 2 / 10 / 3
Related recalls: 1

Sierra 1500 electrical complaints by model year

The 2019 model year has the most electrical complaints, followed by 2022, 2021, and 2020. The 2018 year has fewer, and its sales-adjusted rate is also low. Per 10,000 sold, 2019 is highest, and 2023 and 2024 drop off. That drop is partly timing, since newer trucks have had less time on the road to collect complaints. The 2025 year has few reports so far, and 2026 has none yet. Neither should be read as proof of a better truck.

2018
30 · 1.7/10k sold
2019
63 · 3.4/10k sold
2020
44 · 2.2/10k sold
2021
45 · 2.3/10k sold
2022
55 · 2.8/10k sold
2023
34 · 1.4/10k sold
2024
28 · 1.2/10k sold
2025
11 · 0.4/10k sold

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under electrical system. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.

What goes wrong

The electrical complaints on this truck are a wide spread. Infotainment screens freeze or go blue, audio cuts out, and the safety chimes and turn-signal sounds go silent with it. Cameras and driver-assist systems shut off. False warnings are common, including trailer brake, StabiliTrak, ABS, and parking brake alerts. The power tailgate and running boards sometimes move on their own. Some trucks lose power while driving, and reports trace this to chafed wiring, a failed fuel pump control module, or the battery. A few trucks had a battery drained to zero.

Some of this is more than a nuisance. Federal records for this area include fire reports in every model year from 2018 through 2023. Several trucks burned while parked and shut off, and one driver described smoke from the vents and sparks from the radio console. Other trucks stall at highway speed, and power steering or brakes can drop out. Two 2025 crash reports involve a truck shifting out of Park on its own. Repeat dealer visits often fail to cure the audio and warning problems.

Symptoms owners report

Infotainment and audio dropouts

Screens go blue, black, or freeze. All speaker audio cuts out, and the safety chimes and turn-signal sounds go with it. Owners of 2023 and 2025 trucks say it returns after repeat dealer repairs. Some tie it to an over-the-air update.

Stalling from wiring or battery faults

Trucks shut off while driving. Reports point to a chafed harness, a harness cut by an ECM bracket, a failed fuel pump control module, or the battery. Power steering assist and brakes may drop out, and every warning light can come on.

Fires in parked or running trucks

Fire reports cover 2018 through 2023. Several trucks burned minutes after being parked. One investigation pointed to the rear of the engine bay near the battery. Another owner blamed the trailer brake controller. One cabin fire began with smoke from the vents.

False warnings and brake alerts

Owners report constant Service Trailer Brake System, StabiliTrak, ABS, and parking brake warnings. One parking brake alert limited speed to 20 mph. Others describe false collision alerts that trigger automatic braking, and one such event injured a passenger.

Power tailgate and running boards act alone

The power tailgate opens by itself, sometimes while driving or after a car wash, and has hit garage doors and cars. Power running boards extend or retract on their own. One owner was injured in a fall.

Water reaching electrical parts

Leaks through the rear sliding window or roof seam soak the cab and can reach the fuse box and wiring. Moisture in the tailgate electronics is blamed for it opening on its own.

When the problems start

Trouble can start very early. A 2023 truck lost all battery charge at 3,800 miles, and another 2023 truck lost audio at 800 miles. A 2019 truck began showing blue screens and disabled safety systems at about 28,000 miles. A 2021 truck needed a radio module repair at 52,000 miles, out of warranty. A 2019 Denali owner reported escalating electrical failures around 110,000 miles.

Repairs and recalls

Owners describe long, repeated dealer visits. Fixes mentioned include battery and starter swaps, a replaced fuse block, a replaced rear tailgate control, reprogrammed computers, and a replaced radio. One 2023 truck sat in the shop over 30 days after three reprograms. One 2021 owner was quoted over $1,300 for a radio module out of warranty. Some owners say dealers refused to inspect after warranty ended. Federal recall 19V888000 covers 2019 and 2020 trucks. The B+ cable rings may have excess glue, causing an intermittent connection to the alternator. Dealers inspect, clean, and reattach the connection.

Model years	Campaign	Problem
2019, 2020	19V888000	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…

Checking a used Sierra 1500 for electrical problems

Enter the VIN in the federal recall lookup and confirm recall 19V888000 was completed on any 2019 or 2020 truck.
Run the radio, screen, cameras, and chimes for a full drive. Listen for audio dropouts and watch for blue or frozen screens.
Look under the truck and at the engine bay wiring for chafed, chewed, or separated harness sections.
Check the rear sliding window, roof seams, and cab floor for water stains, damp carpet, or mold smell.
Cycle the power tailgate and running boards from every button. Ask whether the tailgate has ever opened by itself.
Test the battery and check for a parasitic drain. Ask the seller about repeated battery replacements or stalling.

1 electrical recall cover the GMC Sierra 1500. A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.

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