2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 54about this part
- Share
- 16%of 343 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 16% of the 343 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,000 miles. 9 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Remote start on the vehicle does not work sometimes , dic says open and close driver door and the engine light comes on and remain on .I took this vehicle to a technician for diagnostics and computer stated rough idling problem technician clear the engine code.this has continue too happen. Vehicle is always stationary when this happens, I've check around and this is a constant problem for Gmc and chevrolet owners .please look into this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #11269757, filed 2019-10, 59,900 miles“On 02/12/2020, I was turning turning to park in a parking spot at work when the radio and other electrical components shut down, and the steering wheel jerked in the opposite direction. I temporarily loss control of my own steering wheel. This occurred 3 times while trying to park. In addition, a message about stabilitrack appeared. It is well known that GM has recalled over 1,700,000 vehicles with this same power steering issue stating that owners will lose control of the steering wheel, increasing the risk of a crash. See NHTSA campaign number: 18v586. …”
NHTSA complaint #11308796, filed 2020-02, 42,800 miles“5 minutes after starting my truck, I was driving on a side road, to work, with the rear window defrost on, when I heard a hissing sound then started to smell something burning, from behind me. I look in my rearview mirror and saw smoke coming from above/behind the passenger seat. I quickly pulled over, jumped out and as I was looking for the source of the smoke, I saw sparks jump from the rear window defrost then bang like a gun firing: the rear driver's side passenger window shattered. The air temp was 3f. I immediately drove to a chevy/Gmc dealership 4 miles away. …”
NHTSA complaint #11309350, filed 2020-02, 55,000 miles“My truck was parked at a business. I started the truck after being inside for about 10 minutes and started to smell an electrical burn/shortening. I turned the truck off, told my wife to get out and I popped the hood. By the time she walked to the back and me to the front, the rear window behind the driver shattered, sending glass inside and outside the vehicle. After opening the doors for a few minutes, the smell was gone, since I work with electronics for work, is normal for the smell. I think it was defroster and/or the sliding rear window wiring. This happened on 12/03/2019. …”
NHTSA complaint #11311254, filed 2020-02, 28,000 miles“Started truck. No radio, backup camera, nothing on screen. Also no blinker sound. All came back on after disconnecting and reconnecting negative battery cable. Before this happened, the radio had reset itself 4 other times and I had to reset clock and radio stations. Gmc has had this problem with other vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #11341493, filed 2020-07, 71,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11024324Sep 4, 2025This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
- 11023365May 14, 2025This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017207Mar 21, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013239Jan 14, 2025This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11012929Jan 7, 2025This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 | 14% |
| 2025 | 26 | 21% |
| 2024 | 43 | 11% |
| 2023 | 64 | 13% |
| 2022 | 83 | 14% |
| 2021 | 76 | 13% |
| 2020 | 81 | 17% |
| 2019 | 95 | 14% |
| 2018 | 43 | 14% |
| 2017 | 54 | 15% |
| 2016 | 54 | 16% |
| 2015 | 96 | 13% |
| 2014 | 129 | 17% |
| 2013 | 6 | 5% |
| 2012 | 8 | 7% |
| 2011 | 17 | 6% |
| 2010 | 10 | 6% |
| 2009 | 20 | 9% |
| 2008 | 31 | 8% |
| 2007 | 22 | 8% |
| 2006 | 20 | 14% |
| 2005 | 67 | 38% |
| 2004 | 81 | 38% |
| 2003 | 43 | 24% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 7 | 5% |
| 2000 | 5 | 3% |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% |
| 1998 | 3 | 5% |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% |
| 1996 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
106 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
84 complaintsEngine
39 complaintsSteering
38 complaintsOther or unknown
35 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology