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Electrical systemPart report

2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
16%of 37 total for the year
Median mileage
30,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500, 16% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“I remote started the vehicle to allow it to warm up. The rear window defroster automatically turned on. After a few minutes, I got into the vehicle and noticed a burning smell as well as smoke coming out of the square control unit on the rear sliding window. Quickly, I shut off the vehicle in case there would be a fire. After doing some research, I noticed that there have been several similar complaints. Other people have reported that they noticed rear defroster wires glowing and melting trim while other have reported smoke and subsequent shattering of the rear window. …”

NHTSA complaint #11176504, filed 2019-02, 12,000 miles

“Gm issues a safety recall on engine block heaters for 6.6l durmax engines stating using the equipment may cause a fire. Two years, the equipment has not been replaced and dealerships pass blame to GM”

NHTSA complaint #11339894, filed 2020-07, 30,000 miles

“We were at a restaurant with friends we got back into the vehicle. I started up the vehicle and several electrical things happened. The service trailer brakes message came up, then the service power steering message came on. The engine was running but the tachometer didn’t work, or the oil pressure gauge. A couple other warning lights on the dash were on and stayed on. When I put it in reverse it wouldn’t move. When I put it in drive it would move forward. So we were stuck in our parking spot. …”

NHTSA complaint #11466124, filed 2022-05

“The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist, and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road. When the contact arrived on the scene, he noticed that the generator pulley had detached. The contact then purchased a new generator, which he replaced himself. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,756.”

NHTSA complaint #11553927, filed 2023-11, 55,756 miles

“Break lights activate by them selves. Can be driving, parked, vehicle off. Parked and locked. The break lights activate randomly. Most recently car was parked in drivevway over the coarse of 2 days. Break lights came on and off until batteries were dead. When parked I Can hear clicking noise coming from under the hood periodically, not sure if related or not. Also noticed cruise control will shut its self off some times.”

NHTSA complaint #11436860, filed 2021-10

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026538%
202514%
20243331%
2023618%
20221227%
2021612%
20201316%
2019928%
2018720%
2017616%
2016915%
20151112%
2014413%
201337%
2012413%
2011914%
2009723%
200835%
200756%
200646%
20054237%
20044834%
20033623%
200211%
200143%
200036%
199926%
199817%

Other parts of the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500

Brakes
8 complaints
Engine
6 complaints
Other or unknown
6 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Equipment
4 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Air bags
2 complaints
Seat belts
2 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 GMC Sierra 2500

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