2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 81about this part
- Share
- 17%of 484 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,100miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 81 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, 17% of the 484 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,100 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There is no way to permanently disable the auto start stop on the vehicle. Several others have complained about this, no response from GM. There needs to be a firmware upgrade to the ECM to allow the owner make the decision on if that is enabled or disabled. On mine, I have to push a button each time I start the engine to disable that. Some GM vehicles don't have that option.”
NHTSA complaint #11377941, filed 2020-12, 2 miles“After having all sorts of warnings over time like service ESC, service parking brake, and more, I now see brake system failure: 62 MPH top speed flash across my dash. I am reading and hearing that this is a very dangerous problem. New truck. Brand new. Had it less than a year. Brake message always on start up.”
NHTSA complaint #11382957, filed 2020-12, 6,400 miles“On december 14, 2020 my sierra with 2339 miles displayed, at startup, the power steering was out, to drive with care. Also displayed service ESC and traction control failures. I drove with much difficulty, without power steering, ten miles to the nearest Gmc dealership, lafontaine in highland, mi. I picked up the vehicle on december 29, 2020 with an additional 60 miles. The service personnel said they were unable to duplicate the problem, therefore no repairs were made. …”
NHTSA complaint #11387889, filed 2021-01, 2,339 miles“Everything was fine for about 6 months after having purchased vehicle as new. Then I got warning lights asking me to both service the parking break and service ESC with a warning that driving would be compromised just over 60mph. I notified dealer who says they fixed the glitch but it happened again. The last time, most recently, I tried to start the truck the next day and all the warning lights came on. This was followed by a complete shut down. No engine, no lights - not even lock/unlock with key fob. It had to be towed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11360829, filed 2020-09, 5,000 miles“Odometer Fraud. The contact attempted to purchase a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 75,000. At the time of registration, the Carfax Report indicated that the mileage was 175,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11724546, filed 2026-03, 175,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V888000Dec 12, 2019General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The battery positive (B+) cable rings may have…Covers: GMC Sierra 1500 2019–2020, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2019–2020
Related service bulletins
- 11027795Jan 27, 2026Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition in which the body-to-chassis ground strap may be corroded. Dealers will replace the ground strap.
- 11024378Sep 6, 2025This service bulletin advises the technician of a possible loose ground that may be causing customer concerns of Loss of Steering Assist and/or Loss of Brake Assist and…
- 11023368May 17, 2025This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on power folding mirrors do not fold at the same speed.
- 11024486May 16, 2025This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main cause of an engine failure.
- 11019017Apr 10, 2025This bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for a battery drain utilizing the Picoscope and how to measure the load on the system that may be causing a drain.
- 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.
- 11017443Apr 2, 2025This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P3055 Set.
- 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…
- 11017255Mar 25, 2025This service bulletin helps diagnose/reduce possible CCND issues on Transfer Cases - Service 4WD on DIC, Intermittent Failures, Noise Concerns, Driveline/Steering…
- 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…
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 2020 GMC Sierra 1500
245 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
99 complaintsBrakes
55 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsSteering
38 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsForward collision avoidance
14 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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