14648A - Customer Satisfaction. Certain vehicles have a performance issue with their OnStar modules that could impact the vehicle?s battery life. If the vehicle?s OnStar module contains this condition, the OnStar green telltale light will be illuminated even when the vehicle is off. This condition can drain the vehicle?s battery if the vehicle is not started for approximately four days. The condition may also render the OnStar system inoperative, which would disable all OnStar services, including automatic crash response and emergency roadside services. This condition can occur even if the vehicle is not actively subscribed to OnStar. Dealers are to remove the fuse for the OnStar module to r
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 GMC Sierra electrical problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 11 electrical complaints filed for the 2010 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with the additional steps that are needed to help perform a successful brake bleed on the 2-Mode Hybrid with Regular Production Option Code HP2. With a battery maintainer installed on the vehicle use brake pressure bleeder that maintains 30 psi for the entire bleed procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CADILLAC/CHEVROLET/GMC: ON SOME VEHICLES AND/OR TRUCKS, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, INDICATING LOW OIL PRESSURE AND/OR SES LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE. MODEL 2007-13 CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON, CTS-V, ESCALADE, AVALANCHE, CAMARO SS, COLORADO, CORVETTE, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that may have an OnStar system that has progression tones when pressing the blue or red button. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center with the scan tool data from the OnStar system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report dangerous electrical failures across multiple systems. The transmission control module (TCM) is the most severe: it fails without warning, forcing vehicles into limp mode and cutting power—sometimes while merging on freeways or stopped in intersections with families aboard. GM issued service bulletins in 2013, but no recall has followed despite Facebook groups with over 1,000 members experiencing identical failures and a class action lawsuit in motion. Replacement TCMs sit on back order for months, leaving trucks stranded.
Two separate fire incidents are documented: one destroyed the vehicle, two other trucks, a boat, and the owner's garage 30 minutes after parking; a second caught fire shortly after parking and was destroyed. Both fires occurred with no warning after the vehicles were shut down.
Other electrical hazards include defrost blower failures that leave the passenger window fogged over with zero visibility, rear camera systems that cut out or blur intermittently, and rapid headlight bulb burnout despite repeated wiring and housing replacement. One owner's right rear speaker required four replacements for internal shorts. Instrument panels flicker and go dark at highway speeds. A crimp in the air bag wiring harness has caused shorts. Trailer light fuses melt. A VIN-specific recall for this trailer issue and another for a passenger-window control button do not cover many vehicles reported.
Same GMC Sierra electrical reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission Control Module (TCM) Failure / Limp Mode
TCM fails or forces vehicle into limp mode without warning, cutting power and preventing acceleration even at highway speeds. Owners report episodes of 3+ years' duration. GM issued service bulletins starting in 2013 addressing this issue. Failure rates documented in dedicated Facebook groups with 1,000+ members. Vehicles can become stranded in traffic or intersections.
When: Intermittent over 3+ years; reported while towing and merging onto freeway
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of acceleration ability; Vehicle enters limp mode without warning; Loss of power while driving at highway speeds; Unable to maintain speed to merge safely
Codes mentioned: TCM fault
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement TCM on back order, wait times up to 1 year reported; thousands of modules on back order; owners report spending thousands at dealerships and mechanics troubleshooting
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued service bulletins starting in 2013; no safety recall issued despite widespread complaints; class action lawsuit in progress
Defrost System / Climate Control Electronic Failure
Defrost blower system fails to clear condensation from passenger-side window, leaving driver with zero visibility to the right side of vehicle. GM issued service bulletin documenting reprogram solution for the blower system.
When: Humidity/condensation conditions; intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger-side window fails to defrost while driver-side clears; Loss of visibility through passenger window; Condensation haze remains on passenger window after defrost activation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer reprogrammed system per GM service bulletin to correct issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM service bulletin issued showing reprogramming procedure; no proactive recall campaign initiated despite safety hazard and known issue
Rear Camera System Intermittent Failure
Backup camera operates intermittently, producing blurred images or blank screen. Dealer suspected contaminated, oxidized, or loose connections and attempted reconnection remedy.
When: Intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Blank camera display; Blurred or distorted images; Intermittent operation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer disconnected and reconnected camera system connectors; root cause not confirmed
Right Rear Speaker Recurring Shorts / Electrical Shorts
Right rear speaker replaced multiple times (3-4 times) for internal shorts and higher power faults. Possible indication of broader electrical system vulnerability.
When: Multiple occurrences over vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Speaker electrical shorts; Higher power or internal shorting in speaker
Repairs/costs cited: Right rear speaker replaced 3-4 times; dealer attributed to internal shorts and higher power conditions
Instrument Panel / Electrical System Power Loss
While driving at highway speed, instrument panel indicators flickered on and off; tachometer and gauges became inoperable; vehicle lost power and would not respond to accelerator input. Check engine and air bag warning lights illuminated upon restart attempt. Condition was intermittent.
When: At approximately 110,000 miles; while driving 55-60 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel indicators flickering on and off; Tachometer and gauges inoperable; Complete loss of vehicle power; No engine response to accelerator pedal depression; Check engine warning light illuminated; Air bag warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Check engine code, Air bag warning code
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; issue resolved temporarily by disconnecting and reconnecting positive battery terminal
Air Bag System Electrical / Wiring Fault
Air bag warning indicator illuminated after starting vehicle. Dealer diagnosed crimped wire leading to air bag that caused a short circuit. Wire replacement recommended; dealer stated air bag module may also require replacement if indicator illuminates after repair.
When: At approximately 58,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Air bag warning indicator illuminated; Crimped wire causing short to air bag system
Codes mentioned: Air bag warning code
Repairs/costs cited: Crimped wire replacement recommended; air bag replacement may be needed if warning persists
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated they would replace air bag at reduced cost; vehicle was not repaired
Vehicle Fire / Electrical Fire Hazard
Two separate fires reported. First incident: vehicle caught fire in detached garage approximately 30 minutes after owner's wife parked it; fire spread to adjacent vehicles (Suburban, Pontiac boat, Chevy pickup) and garage structure, destroying all. Second incident: vehicle caught fire shortly after parking; fire report filed.
When: After parking; first incident at 50,000 miles; second incident timing not specified but vehicle destroyed
Symptoms owners cite: Fire in vehicle cab and hood; Uncontrolled combustion after vehicle parked
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles destroyed; first incident spread fire to neighboring property and structures
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of both failures; no preventive recalls or technical service bulletins referenced
Trailer Light Circuit / Electrical Fuse Failure
Trailer lights non-functional when first towing. Owner found melted fuse in trailer circuit. Recall exists for this specific issue but is VIN-specific and does not cover this vehicle's VIN.
When: First time towing
Symptoms owners cite: Trailer lights non-functional; Fuse melted in trailer light circuit
Repairs/costs cited: Melted fuse found; owner reported to dealership and GMC; recall available but VIN not covered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists for trailer light fuse issue but is VIN-specific and does not apply to this vehicle
Headlight Bulb / Electrical Overload Failure
Persistent rapid burnout of headlight bulbs despite multiple replacements of bulbs, wiring, and housing assemblies. Owner reports numerous owners of same year and model experiencing identical recurring failures. Has resulted in police citations for inoperative headlights.
When: Recurring throughout ownership; multiple repair cycles
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid headlight bulb burnout; Bulbs burn out repeatedly after replacement; Failure continues after wiring and housing replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Headlight bulbs replaced numerous times; wiring replaced; housing replaced; problem persists
Seat Belt / Door Lock Electrical Components
Driver's seat belt and passenger door lock require warranty repair. Owner unable to use other GM dealerships due to being placed on company-wide blacklist following identity theft incident at original dealer.
When: Warranty period
Symptoms owners cite: Driver's seat belt malfunction; Passenger door lock malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Components require warranty repair; owner unable to access service due to blacklist status
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM customer service unable to authorize repairs at alternate dealership; original dealership denies permission
Dashboard / Air Bag Cover Structural Defect
Instrument panel/dashboard contains four visible cracks. Plastic air bag cover area noted as structurally unsafe.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Four cracks visible in dashboard; Air bag cover area compromised and unsafe
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
My dash had 4 cracks in it. The part covering the passenger air bag is very in safe
Hooked up a trailer (first time ever), discovered that the trailer lights were not working, checked fuses, found a melted fuse. Found a recall for same problem, however it is VIN specific and VIN is not covered. Took to dealership, and reported problem to GMC, was told to report it here. Also found a VIN specific recall for the driver control button for the passenger window (sometimes works,…
Had electrical trouble with your 2010 GMC Sierra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2010 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 87,741 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/GMC/Sierra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.