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Electrical systemPart report

2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
54about this part
Share
15%of 355 total for the year
Median mileage
53,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500, 15% of the 355 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving 50mph and was behind a semi as I started to pass him I noticed an oncoming car and decided there wasnt enough time to pass so I started to push the brake pedal to slow down and get back behind the semi and the brakes locked up which produced an uncontrollable spin in which I did a 180 degree spin and ended up going into the ditch backwards and tipped over on my side no airbags deployed either.”

NHTSA complaint #11389915, filed 2021-01, 72,000 miles

“On screen display for backup camera. When putting the vehicle in reverse, the on screen display is so bright that you can't see out the windows, the rearview mirrors or the surrounding area. This display does not dim with the rest of the lights. This causes a severe safety hazard when trying to backup the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11268283, filed 2019-10, 13,000 miles

“The vehicle was in motion on a city street, when the vehicle completely powered off. The steering wheel locked. This occurred on 11/22/2020 and 11/23/2020. The following message is on my dashboard 'steering assist is reduced drive with care.'”

NHTSA complaint #11375999, filed 2020-11, 64,000 miles

“Started truck for 10-15 minutes with front and rear defrost on to remove ice from glass. Upon entering the truck, there was a smell of wiring/plastic burning. Smoke was coming from the bottom corner of the rear sliding window. I immediately shut off rear defrost and then shut my truck off. Then the driver side rear glass panel popped and shattered completely.”

NHTSA complaint #11572868, filed 2024-02

“Driving down the road. Thankfully it was late at night and the roads were empty. But the truck shut down and brakes locked up and steering wheel locked. Once I was at a full stop. I turned the truck off and back on and was able to drive home. But I called Gmc regarding this issue and brought they couldn’t find anything wrong”

NHTSA complaint #11500553, filed 2023-01

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20262014%
20252621%
20244311%
20236413%
20228314%
20217613%
20208117%
20199514%
20184314%
20175415%
20165416%
20159613%
201412917%
201365%
201287%
2011176%
2010106%
2009209%
2008318%
2007228%
20062014%
20056738%
20048138%
20034324%
200232%
200175%
200053%
199985%
199835%
199722%
1996120%

Other parts of the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500

Transmission and drivetrain
118 complaints
Brakes
108 complaints
Engine
58 complaints
Other or unknown
35 complaints
Steering
25 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaints
Vehicle speed control
11 complaints
Exterior lighting
9 complaints
Body and structure
8 complaints
Suspension
8 complaints
Fuel system
7 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 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