Owners report widespread electrical failures across multiple systems. Warning lights—check engine, ABS, traction control, StabiliTrak, airbag—come on and stay on or cycle randomly without dealer mechanics finding the cause. Multiple owners describe a no-start condition after the truck sits for hours or overnight, even with relatively new batteries; dealers replace batteries, starters, relays, and fuel tank switches without resolving it. Some trucks shut down while driving at low speeds and enter reduced-power mode, limiting speed to 35–45 mph.
A critical safety issue: at least four owners report their vehicles catching fire while parked and unoccupied. One fire occurred immediately upon unlocking the doors; another started in the engine compartment after parking. One complaint documents burning wires inside the dashboard near the radio despite replacing the radio four times. Owners also report burning odors from ignition switches and door control panels, and dry-rotted wire insulation under the hood.
Dashboard cracks are common, appearing without impact and raising airbag deployment concerns. Some owners describe rodent damage to soy-based wiring insulation, leading to repeated false warning lights and breakdowns. Specialized electrical issues include inaudible seat-belt alarm sounds coming only from one speaker, speedometer malfunction showing incorrect speeds, and Body Control Module failure causing loss of communication. One recall (10V240000) involved disabling the heated washer fluid system; owners report windshield washer failure after that repair.
Failure modes owners describe
Multiple warning light illumination and cycling
Check engine, ABS, traction control, StabiliTrak, and airbag warning lights come on and remain lit, or cycle on and off randomly. Dealers cannot find stored diagnostic codes or identify the root cause.
When: Various mileages from 15,000 to 280,000 miles; incidents ongoing after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; ABS light on; Traction control light on; StabiliTrak light on; Airbag warning light on; Lights cycle on and off randomly; No stored diagnostic codes found
Codes mentioned: P0573
Repairs/costs cited: Sensors and relays replaced; repeated visits to dealers and independent mechanics yield no lasting resolution
No-start and dead battery
Vehicle fails to start after sitting for short periods (hours to overnight), even with new or recently charged batteries. Starts immediately after jump-starting. Occurs repeatedly over months or years. Dealers find no electrical codes and cannot identify the problem.
When: From 6,475 miles at initial complaint to 100,000+ miles; recurs 6–7+ times over vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start after sitting less than 24 hours; Dead battery after short parked intervals; Starts immediately after jump-start; Computer/modules drawing power when vehicle is off; No stored fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced multiple times; alternator replaced; starter relay replaced; dealers state no problem found
Engine shutdown and reduced power limp mode
Vehicle shuts down unexpectedly while driving at low speeds or during normal operation, forcing owner to pull over. Engine restarts but enters reduced-power mode, restricting speed to 35–45 mph. Related to warning light failures and electrical system malfunction.
When: 15,000 to 28,000 miles reported; incidents in December 2011 and June 2012
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down without warning while driving; Reduced power mode engaged; Vehicle limited to 35–45 mph; Multiple warning lights illuminate prior to shutdown; Oil pressure light comes on
Repairs/costs cited: Sensors and relays replaced; non-dealer mechanic found burned/eaten wiring insulation
Wiring damage and burning
Wires under the hood and inside the dashboard become damaged, burned, or eaten through. Owners report soy-based insulation material attracting rodents. Burned wires near radio area persist even after radio replacement four times.
When: Multiple incidents reported; one at 15,000–28,000 miles; another noted at 280,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Burned wires near radio; Dry-rotted rubber padding on wires under hood; Rodent damage to wire insulation; Burning odor from dashboard and ignition area; Wires completely eaten through
Repairs/costs cited: Radio replaced 4 separate times; wiring insulation damaged by rodents due to soy-based material; full wire replacement needed
Engine compartment and ignition system fire
Vehicle catches fire in engine compartment while parked and unoccupied. One fire ignited upon unlocking doors (ignition sparked twice). Another started after 15 minutes of parking. One occurred while driver was at work. All result in total vehicle loss.
When: Vehicles parked unattended, sitting 15 minutes to 1+ hour; one upon unlocking
Symptoms owners cite: Flames emerging from engine compartment; Ignition sparked when key inserted and doors unlocked; Fire engulfed entire vehicle; No warning prior to fire
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles totaled; fires extinguished with fire extinguishers and fire department response
Burning odor from electrical components
Burning electrical smell emanates from dashboard, radio area, door control panels, or ignition switch. Indicates overheating wires or component failure. Persists despite component replacement.
When: Reported at 25,000 miles and 112,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Burning odor from dashboard near radio; Burning smell from ignition switch area; Burning smell from driver's side door control panel; No smoke visible in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Radio replaced 4 times without resolving odor; door panel not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer referenced recall 08V44100 (electrical system) in one case
Dashboard cracks
Dashboard develops large cracks, particularly in the area above or around the driver and passenger airbags. Cracks appear without impact and raise safety concerns regarding airbag deployment.
When: Varies; one within a month of purchase; affects vehicles across model year
Symptoms owners cite: Large visible crack in dashboard; Crack above driver airbag; Crack above passenger airbag; Hazard if airbag deploys (plastic fragments)
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired by owners; issue documented in GM lawsuit
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Issue previously brought to GM attention in lawsuit
Driver Information Center and cluster display malfunction
Instrument cluster panel blanks out or stops displaying information. Driver cannot see trip meter, mileage, tire pressure, or speedometer. Speedometer shows erratic readings (30 mph when stopped, 70 mph at 40 mph actual speed). Clock loses and cannot maintain correct time.
When: Reported at 54,000 miles and 112,000 miles; speedometer issues reported recurrently
Symptoms owners cite: Cluster panel goes blank; Trip meter not visible; Mileage not displayed; Tire pressure information unavailable; Speedometer displays incorrect speed; Digital clock loses time; Gauge needles move erratically
Repairs/costs cited: Cluster replaced in one case; recurrent issue in many vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 08V44100 referenced for one DIC failure
Intermittent electrical connections and loose terminals
Specific electrical connections become extremely hot and intermittent, requiring wiggling or repositioning to restore function. Connection issues cause random light cycling and system failures.
When: Reported during vehicle operation
Symptoms owners cite: Electrical connections extremely hot; Connection must be moved or wiggled to restore power; Intermittent loss of power to components; Multiple warning lights cycle when connection is moved
Repairs/costs cited: Connection identified but repair method not documented
Seat belt warning alarm inaudible
Audible alarm for seat belt, door open, keys in ignition, and other safety warnings is inaudible or only functional intermittently. When working, sound comes only from left speaker despite speaker replacement.
When: Recurring issue; dealer visit in 2010 at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt warning alarm inaudible; Door-open alarm inaudible; Keys-in-ignition alarm inaudible; Sound only from left speaker when functional; Left-side audio dies when alarms are dead
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attributed to radio issue; speakers swapped with no resolution; warranty expired so owner did not repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall noted for this issue in later model years but not applied to 2007
Body Control Module (BCM) failure
Body Control Module loses communication, indicated by fault code U0140. Results in loss of power to multiple vehicle systems including windows and locks, inability to start, and gauge malfunction.
When: Reported after extended camping trip; exact mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: No power to windows; No power to locks; RPM and MPH gauges moving erratically; Clicking sounds from front seat armrests; Will not start; Loss of communication with BCM
Codes mentioned: U0140
Repairs/costs cited: Body Control Module replaced; vehicle also towed
Cruise control malfunction
Cruise control becomes inoperable or disengages without warning while in use. Fault code P0573 (cruise control brake switch circuit) indicates underlying electrical issue. Safety concern when vehicle unexpectedly accelerates.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control not functional; Cruise control disengages without warrant; Vehicle accelerates quickly without input; Safety concern during operation
Codes mentioned: P0573
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired per complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner believes issue similar to 2004–2012 Malibu recall
Accelerator pedal sensor failure and limp mode
Repeated throttle position sensor (TPS) and accelerator pedal position sensor failures trigger check engine light, decreased engine power, and StabiliTrak disabled warnings. Multiple replacement attempts and even direct wiring bypass do not resolve recurrent fault codes P2128 and P2122.
When: Ongoing at time of complaint; codes recur frequently
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on; Decreased engine power mode; StabiliTrak disabled; Check StabiliTrak light; Recurring fault codes despite repairs
Codes mentioned: P2128, P2122
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle position sensor replaced; throttle body replaced; accelerator pedal replaced 3 times; connectors bypassed with direct wiring; codes clear temporarily but return
Power window and lock failure
Loss of electrical power to window and door lock systems. Related to broader electrical system failures including BCM malfunction.
When: Reported during BCM failure incident; exact mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: No power to windows; No power to door locks; Loss of window operation; Loss of lock operation
Repairs/costs cited: Resolved with BCM replacement
Door control panel and side mirror failures
Driver's side door control panel stops working and exhibits burning odor. Side mirror (driver's side) fails to fold in as designed. Electrical access code required for repair, limiting independent mechanic capability.
When: Reported around 25,000 miles and later at 112,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Driver's side door control panel non-functional; Driver's side mirror will not fold; Burning odor from door panel; No independent repair option without manufacturer code
Repairs/costs cited: Requires dealer service due to proprietary electrical codes; repair costs high; not completed per complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM restricts electrical system code access to authorized dealers only
Heated washer fluid system failure and recall-related windshield washer malfunction
Heated washer fluid system subject to recall 10V240000 (electrical system). Recall remedy involves disabling and removing system. After recall repair, windshield washer fluid fails to spray properly, leaving no functional washer system.
When: Around 73,000 miles; recall timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Heated washer fluid system electrical fault; After recall repair, washer fluid does not spray; Windshield cleaning inoperable
Repairs/costs cited: Recall 10V240000 repair disabled heated washer system; washer function lost
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 10V240000 (electrical system) issued for heated washer fluid; owner objected to remedy; repair performed by another owner left washer non-functional
Interior door handle degradation
Interior door handles peel and become sharp, causing cuts or paper-cut-like wounds to hands during normal door opening.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Door handles peel and deteriorate; Sharp edges on handles; Cuts or paper-cut wounds to hands
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired per complaint
Ignition switch grinding noise
Grinding noise occurs when key is inserted into ignition switch and persists even after hand is removed from key. Noise resolves after vehicle is turned off and restarted, but recurs on subsequent uses.
When: Reported at 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise when key inserted; Noise continues without hand on key; Recurs on restart after resolving; Returns on repeated ignition use
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnostic testing completed; no repair performed
Rear speaker malfunction
Driver's side rear speaker fails to function. Related to broader audio and electrical system issues.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Driver's side rear speaker non-functional; No audio output from rear speaker
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired per complaint
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.