This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with the correct way to remove the front shock electrical connector terminals. Technician will need to slightly bend the end of the J-38125-12A release tool. There is a purple Terminal Position Assurance that will align itself in the release position when the release tool is inserted into the release hole. There is a metal locking tab on the terminal that will need to be pushed in before the terminal will pull out of the connector.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 GMC Sierra electrical problems
severe 61 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
61
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
7fires
When does it fail?
Of the 61 electrical complaints filed for the 2015 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Owners have filed 61 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 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 information to the technician about vehicles that have a reduced or loss of power steering assist, steering wheel jerks or kicks back when turning, Service Stabilitrak message with warning chime, engine stall, Instrument Panel Cluster going blank or inoperative, radio/Integrated Center Stack going blank, Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning going blank, hood ajar message and/or dome lamps flash when shifting into reverse, alarm sounds when locking doors or door locks cycling, and or wipers continue to run for a short time after turning off and then stop/park in the incorrect location. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes U0073, U0078, U0029
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicle that may have a "Check Trailer Wiring" or "Service Trailer Brake System" message on the Driver Information Center when a trailer is connected to the vehicle. Diagnostic Trouble Code C1114 set in the Chassis Control Module. Chassis Control Module has to determine the type of trailer brake system that is being used. The Chassis Control Module can be sensitive to a variety of trailer wiring issues. The technician will need to make a trailer tester using Electric Trailer Brake Magnets and 7-way trailer connector to determine if it is a vehicle or trailer issue. If the concern i
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have hard or unable to rotate ignition key concern. When the concern is present the steering wheel will need to be rotated in either direction to alleviate the pressure between the steering column lock pin and lock plate. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a low voltage reading on the volt gauge during the first several minutes after a cold start. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 GMC Sierra suffers from pervasive electrical failures that create serious safety hazards. Most common is sudden, complete power loss while driving—the engine quits without warning, power steering dies, brakes go soft, and the truck feels like it dropped into neutral. This has happened on highways at 70 mph and during normal city driving, leaving owners stranded and terrified. Dealers have traced many instances to corroded ground connections at the front passenger wheel well, where salt and grime corrode the exposed screw connection. Temporary fixes involve cleaning the corrosion, but the problem recurs.
Rear window defroster defects are widespread and dangerous. When the defroster is activated, the rear sliding window overheats, smokes, and often explodes with enough force to send glass into the passenger compartment. Owners report seeing flames and hearing crackling and sizzling seconds before the window shatters. This has happened at parked vehicles and while driving. GM issued a recall in Canada but excluded most U.S. vehicles; owners report dealers refuse warranty coverage after a prior recall "fix" was applied.
Several trucks have caught fire—some in the dashboard or fuse box, others in the engine bay—with flames spreading rapidly. At least one owner lost the truck, a camper, and personal items while towing. Multiple owners also report total loss of electrical functions including power steering lockup, all audio systems (radio, door chimes, seatbelt warnings), and infotainment screen failures that distract drivers at night. Ground connection corrosion remains the common thread linking many failures.
Same GMC Sierra electrical reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Complete power loss while driving
Vehicle loses all electrical power and engine output without warning during normal driving, including braking and steering. Owners report the truck feels like it's suddenly in neutral even though the engine is still running. Power returns after the vehicle is restarted or cycled through the gear shifter.
When: Intermittent; reported from 10,881 miles to 91,000 miles; some owners report sporadic incidents over 6+ months
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power; Loss of power steering; Loss of braking; Feels like transmission went into neutral; Service Stabilitrak warning illuminates; Vehicle will not restart on first attempt; Happens without warning during acceleration, turning, braking, or lane changes
Codes mentioned: G218 ground connection low voltage to body control module
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced negative battery cables and inspected/cleaned ground connections. Some owners report temporary fixes by removing corroded buildup at ground connection near front passenger wheel well. Transmission transmission was disassembled to remove broken metal parts in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM recall #14192, NHTSA Campaign ID #14V374000 checked in one case but owner's VIN not included. GM notified in multiple cases but provided no assistance or recalls. Some owners cite unresolved service case numbers.
Rear window defroster thermal runaway and window shattering
Rear sliding window defroster circuits overheat, causing smoking, burning smells, electrical arcing, and spontaneous window shattering. The shattering occurs while the defroster is in use or immediately after being turned off. Owners report seeing flames, sizzling sounds, and crackling before the rear window explodes outward, sending glass into the passenger compartment.
When: Can occur at any mileage, some reported as early as 30,000 miles, others at 45,000, 152,000 miles; often during cold weather when defroster is activated or during auto-start with remote start
Symptoms owners cite: Smoking from rear window area; Burning plastic smell; Sizzling or crackling sounds; Visible flames or flame flickers near rear window; Hissing noise; Rear window spontaneously shatters or explodes; Glass fragments in passenger compartment; Burning smell continues after window shatters
Repairs/costs cited: Glass replacement required; some owners cite cost of $1,000-$1,500 for rear sliding window replacement. One owner removed fuse #10 from engine block to prevent auto-start from engaging rear defroster.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Recall N192220470 exists for Canadian vehicles (159,000 units) but is not applied in the U.S.; many U.S. owners' VINs are excluded from the recall. GM Recall/Service Document N192265660 exists for a similar issue but is limited geographically. Dealers have informed owners repair is not covered under warranty. GM customer care has refused assistance despite evidence of a known defect and service advisory.
Vehicle fire in electrical system or engine bay
Fire originates in the electrical system, dashboard area, fuse box, or engine bay without owner awareness until smoke or flames are visible. Fires spread rapidly and can engulf the entire vehicle. Some fires occur during startup or while driving, others when parked with engine idling.
When: Reported at various mileages including 45,000 miles and mid-journey while towing; one fire started while idling in parking lot; another during highway driving at 70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke visible from engine bay, dashboard, or electrical areas; Flames visible in vehicle interior or behind seats; Strong burning smell; Erratic gauges before fire; Check Engine light illuminates before fire; Rapid fire spread within vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed or heavily damaged; one owner reported fire department response; another lost vehicle, camper, and personal items in fire while towing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM did not provide assistance in cases reported. Owners filed complaints with GMC; one owner noted online reports indicate GMC does not provide assistance for fire damage.
Intermittent audio system failure and electrical chiming failures
Audio systems including radio, door chimes, seat belt warning chimes, turn signal audible alerts, and OnStar all fail intermittently or completely. Vehicle produces no audible alerts when doors are open, seatbelts are unfastened, or turn signals are in use. Issue is persistent and recurs despite dealer visits.
When: Reported from early ownership (some at 2-3 months after delivery) through high mileage; intermittent and ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: No radio sound output; No door chime when doors open; No seatbelt warning chime; No turn signal audible alert; No OnStar audio; All interior audio alerts fail
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers were unable to replicate or resolve failures. Owners report permanent loss of these functions.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Recall #14315 addressed this exact issue in 2014 but excluded many 2015 models; owners report GM states their VIN is not included despite having identical symptoms. GM refused to cover diagnostic and repair, treating it as customer responsibility.
Ground connection corrosion and low voltage
Battery ground connection corrodes at the exposed ground point located near the front passenger wheel well, under the vehicle. Corrosion and grime buildup on the screw connection reduces conductivity, causing intermittent low voltage to body control module and all dependent electrical systems.
When: Can occur at any mileage due to exposure to road salt, sand, and moisture; reported from 29,000 miles onward; worse in winter months
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent loss of power; Service Stabilitrak warning; Park Assist errors; Airbag warning light; Weak door buzzers; Interior lights staying on or not turning on; Intermittent remote start issues; Low voltage to body control module
Codes mentioned: G218 ground connection fault
Repairs/costs cited: Cleaning the ground connection screw and wires at the exposed location near front passenger wheel well resolves the issue temporarily. Owners have reported that removing corrosion allows power to be restored.
Rear window defroster electrical arcing and sizzling (pre-shattering)
Rear defroster electrical contacts arc and sizzle, producing audible crackling and hissing sounds with visible thermal events, before the window shatters. This is a precursor to the thermal runaway failure that causes window breakage.
When: Occurs when defroster is activated, often in cold weather or during remote auto-start
Symptoms owners cite: Sizzling sound from rear window; Crackling electrical noise; Hissing noise; Visible arcing or flame flickers; Burning plastic smell; Smoke from rear window area
Repairs/costs cited: Owners have disabled the defroster by removing fuse #10 to prevent the issue from occurring. Once thermal events begin, window shattering typically follows within seconds to minutes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has released service documents (N192265660) for a similar issue but limited to certain states. Dealers refuse warranty coverage citing prior recall remediation.
Steering wheel lockup during electrical failure
Steering wheel suddenly locks while the vehicle loses electrical power, leaving the driver unable to steer. Has caused at least one crash into the median.
When: Occurs during electrical system failures; reported at 15,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete steering wheel lock; Loss of electrical power simultaneously; Vehicle becomes uncontrollable; Brake system does not engage
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced wires but failure was not corrected; repeated visits did not resolve the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified but no recall or assistance provided.
Infotainment touchscreen brightness and responsiveness issues
Intellilink infotainment screen is either dangerously bright at night with no independent brightness control, or becomes unresponsive and freezes with error messages that cannot be cleared. Screen brightness cannot be adjusted independently from dashboard dimmer control. At night, the screen is so bright it destroys driver night vision; dimming it enough to be safe makes dashboard instruments too dim to read.
When: Present from early ownership (some reported at 2 months after delivery) through vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Screen dangerously bright at night; No independent brightness control for screen; Screen reactivates with subsystem adjustment despite being set to off; Screen becomes unresponsive and freezes; Black screen error message displayed; Error message cannot be cleared via OK button; Outside temperature display disappears; Operator distracted trying to clear error while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quoted $1,045 for screen repair/replacement. GM customer care refused to provide assistance or acknowledge the defect despite service advisory and screen redesign existing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM customer care refused assistance and acknowledged this is a known inherent vehicle defect with existing service advisory and redesigned screen. Dealer unable to correct per manufacturer design.
Headlight failure and poor illumination
Headlight bulbs burn out prematurely and frequently. Projector headlights on SLT trim provide extremely poor illumination in both low and high beams, with poor side lighting and dim projection ahead. Cannot see animals or objects until too late.
When: Bulb failures reported multiple times in 2 years (5 blown bulbs in one truck); poor illumination from initial ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Headlight bulbs burn out 5+ times in 2 years; Both high beam and low beam fail simultaneously in some cases; Extremely dim low and high beam output; Poor side-of-road visibility; Poor forward projection; Cannot see deer or obstacles until too late; Instrument panel shows lights are still on even when they are out
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement bulbs cost approximately $115 per service visit for diagnostic alone. Multiple replacement attempts made but underlying electrical issue not resolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM engineering document #4093100 (PIT5374, dated 2/27/2015) and followup #4109395 (PIT5374A, dated 3/9/2015) address this issue but no recall or service bulletin was issued to owners.
Spurious Trailer Brake System and Lane Departure warnings
Vehicle displays 'Service Trailer Brake System' warnings and activates lane departure alerts when no trailer is connected. Warnings include audible chimes that are distracting to the driver. Warnings appear intermittently and recur despite dealer visits.
When: Intermittent; reported at 90,000 miles and ongoing; happens randomly, not just when towing
Symptoms owners cite: 'Service Trailer Brake System' message displayed on dash; Audible warning chime repeating; Lane departure system warning; 'Service Lane Departure System' message; 'Service Park Assist' message; Driver distraction from alerts
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate failures and no repairs performed. In one case, broken wiring for haptic motor in driver seat was found to cause these alerts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls available per dealers. Manufacturer not notified in some cases.
Roof antenna XM radio water leak into cabin
Roof-mounted XM radio antenna has a design flaw that allows water to leak into the cabin through the headliner. Leak travels down the driver-side pillar and into the dashboard, creating risk of electrical shorting and component failure throughout the vehicle. Owner reports thousands of online complaints about this issue.
When: Reported after 2.5 years of ownership; leak travels progressively
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaks from antenna into headliner; XM radio intermittent signal reception; Water travels down driver side pillar; Water enters dashboard; Risk of electrical shorting in dashboard components
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer refused to replace at their expense; GM also refused.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Both dealer and GM refused to replace the antenna or cover the repair despite the design defect.
Tail light bulb corrosion and premature failure
Tail light bulbs corrode in their sockets due to excess road grime (salt and sand splash). Bulbs become impossible to remove due to corrosion bonding them to the socket, requiring replacement of the entire wiring harness.
When: Reported as common problem affecting multiple owners
Symptoms owners cite: Tail light bulbs corrode in socket; Bulbs burn out prematurely; Corroded bulbs cannot be removed
Repairs/costs cited: Entire wiring harness must be replaced; owner paid out of pocket as GM does not cover this as a warranty issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM does not cover this as a warranty issue; dealer confirmed it is a common problem they do not cover.
Driver Alert seat vibration motor failure
Vibration motors in the driver seat that provide haptic feedback for the lane departure warning system break repeatedly due to pinched wires from poor GM design. When motors fail, a 'Service Driver Alert System' error is displayed.
When: Reported to fail three times; failures occur both when parked and while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration motor in seat breaks; Pinched wire detected; 'Service Driver Alert System' error message displayed; Loss of haptic feedback warnings
Repairs/costs cited: Motors replaced multiple times due to repeated failures from same root cause (pinched wire design flaw).
Power steering intermittent failure
Power steering loses assist intermittently, especially during low-speed maneuvers like backing into garage. Steering becomes very difficult to control manually.
When: Intermittent; reported at low speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist loses function; Steering becomes very difficult to turn manually; Occurs during backing maneuvers at low speed
ABS brake system false activation at low speed
ABS activates when not needed during low-speed parking lot driving, preventing the vehicle from coming to a stop when brakes are applied. Owner reports almost hitting multiple vehicles.
When: Reported after brake recall service
Symptoms owners cite: ABS kicks in at low speeds in parking lot; Vehicle does not come to a stop when needed; Multiple near-misses with other vehicles
Repairs/costs cited: Brake recall service was performed but did not resolve the issue; remains unsolved for years.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated brakes were fixed under recall but the ABS false-activation issue persists.
Radio and power mirror electrical function loss
Radio volume control becomes permanently inoperable; power mirrors stop functioning. Both remain permanently non-functional regardless of parking or driving state.
When: Permanent loss of function
Symptoms owners cite: Radio volume control does not work; Power mirror controls inoperable; Both issues permanent
Rear sliding window spontaneous shattering (non-defroster related)
Rear sliding window shatters spontaneously while vehicle is parked with engine running and defrosters on high setting. No external impact detected; window appears to fail from internal thermal or pressure stress.
When: Reported while parked with engine idling and defrosters on high
Symptoms owners cite: Rear window spontaneously shatters while parked; No external impact or damage visible before failure; Occurs with defrosters on high setting; Loud noise from shattering
Repairs/costs cited: Glass company performed repair; dealer unable to repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no recall exists for this failure.
Transmitted error messages and button/control accessibility
Instrument panel displays incorrect messages (e.g., 'Lower Driver Window') unrelated to actual failures. Park assistance button becomes completely disabled.
When: Reported at 53,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Incorrect error messages displayed; 'Lower Driver Window' message appearing; Park Assist button completely disabled
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate failures; vehicle not repaired.
Fuse box fire during startup failure
Fuse box catches on fire when vehicle fails to start. Fire occurs when no occupants are in the vehicle but represents serious fire hazard.
When: Reported at approximately 60,218 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start; Fuse box catches on fire; Fire department potentially called
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired after fire incident.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware of failure.
Transmission missing/slipping during acceleration after turn
During combined turning and acceleration maneuvers, transmission appears to miss or slip, causing loss of power and sluggish acceleration. Issue is sporadic and has occurred since new vehicle.
When: Sporadic occurrences since new ownership; reported in last 6 months but ongoing issue
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission feels like it's missing; Loss of engine power during turn and acceleration; Sluggish acceleration after completing turn
Repairs/costs cited: Computer diagnostic showed no issues (except in one case).
Synthesized from 61 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Rear sliding glass window defogger contacts are smoking and making sizzling noise. Fire hazard. Had to remove fuse number 10 from engine block to prevent auto start from engaging rear defogger in cold weather, or to prevent defogger switch from being engaged by family member. 46k miles 2015 GMC sierra
Rear defroster (with sliding rear window) thermal events with arcing and hissing, smoke smell present. Matches the same description as provided in document N192265660. GM will not cover my vehicle because it was not delivered to a dealer in any of the states listed in the document. There is evidence in the vehicle of thermal events, however GM wants me to pay $1000-$1500 for a new rear sliding…
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 GMC sierra 1500. The contact went to autostart the vehicle and noticed that the rear window was smoking and emitting a burning odor. The contact turned off the auto rear defroster and the rear window shattered. There were no injuries. The contact took the vehicle to west herr Chevrolet of hamburg (located at 5025 southwestern blvd, hamburg, ny 14075, 877-308-1785), but…
Headlight on the 2015 GMC sierra 1500 slt are terrible. They are the worst of any vehicle I've driven. The problem stems from the poorly designed reflector for the halogen bulb.
Supposedly the brakes have been fixed for the recall, however, if I am driving as low speeds like in a parking lot, the ABS will kick in causing me to not come to a stop when needed. I have almost hit several vehicles due to this issue. I have issues with the radio working, specifically being able to adjust the sound level. I have issues with the mirrors being able to move like they should.…
Had electrical trouble with your 2015 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 2015 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 61 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 37 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 34,000 and 68,000 miles, with the median around 53,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,000; a quarter make it past 68,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/2015/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.