The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle would not not immediately start and had also experienced electrical malfunctions which caused multiple unknown warning lights to display and flash including the seat restraint warning and the ABS and Air Bag warnings. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the two batteries located under the hood…
2024 GMC Sierra HD electrical problems
severe 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 29 electrical complaints filed for the 2024 GMC Sierra HD, 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
Electrical accounts for 30% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 7 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 29 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 describe widespread electrical failures that create serious safety hazards. The most consistent complaint involves the integrated trailer brake controller failing when towing trailers equipped with solar panels or high-capacity battery chargers—the solar system's voltage back-feeds into the truck's 7-pin connector and disables the brakes entirely or causes them to disconnect and reconnect repeatedly, sometimes up to four times per minute. GM has issued technical service bulletins (TSB #23-NA-149, Document ID #23-NA-113) acknowledging this known defect, but dealers will not perform warranty repairs unless they personally experience the failure—a policy that requires technicians to tow trailers until brakes fail, creating additional danger.
Dual batteries installed under the hood swell, smoke, and fail prematurely starting at 18 months and 50,000 miles. Owners report paying $300–$500 for replacements, with dealers initially denying warranty coverage, and replacement batteries failing again within weeks. Tailgates spontaneously unlatch while vehicles are in motion or parked, draining batteries through continuous open signals. One owner received recall repair 24V894000 but the tailgate failed again post-repair. Water intrusion into the tailgate latch assembly appears to be the root cause, yet some owner VINs were excluded from the recall entirely.
Additional failures reported include engine power loss at highway speeds (one owner documented proof that GM installed the wrong computer module), rear-view cameras going blank, blind spot monitors flashing false alerts, instrument cluster screens going completely dark, and the IOK radio module failing repeatedly despite multiple software updates. Owners report being taken to dealers five to seven times without resolution, with some manufacturers refusing buyback assistance despite these safety-critical failures.
Failure modes owners describe
Trailer brake controller malfunction with solar-equipped trailers
Integrated trailer brake control module disengages, disconnects, or fails entirely when towing trailers equipped with solar panels or high-output battery chargers. The solar system's back-feed voltage into the trailer's 7-pin connector overloads the truck's brake circuit, causing intermittent or complete loss of trailer braking. Dealers often cannot replicate the issue without the specific trailer present, and GM refuses warranty repairs until the failure occurs in their presence.
When: Occurs at all mileages from 800 miles onward; consistent across multiple owner reports during towing operations
Symptoms owners cite: Trailer brakes disconnect and reconnect repeatedly (up to 4 times per minute); Integrated trailer braking system error message displayed; Complete loss of trailer brakes while towing; Trailer lights intermittently disable; Dashboard alerts for brake disconnection
Codes mentioned: Integrated trailer braking system error
Repairs/costs cited: Trailer brake control module replacement attempted multiple times with failure recurrence. No permanent fix identified; some owners report disabling solar panels on trailer as workaround.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB #23-NA-149 and Document ID #23-NA-113 issued but no factory solution provided. GM dealerships require technician to experience failure personally before authorizing replacement of known defective module.
Battery failures and electrical drain
Dual batteries installed under the hood fail prematurely, swell, smoke, and drain. Water intrusion, possibly related to tailgate design, causes battery voltage depletion. Replacement batteries fail shortly after installation. Dealers deny warranty coverage, requiring owners to pay for replacements at 18 months and 50,000 miles, well before typical battery life expectancy. Multiple battery replacements required on same vehicle.
When: 18 months to 41,000 miles; some failures intermittent over weeks
Symptoms owners cite: Battery swelling and smoking; Burning smell from battery compartment and wiring; Vehicle fails to start; Low voltage electrical failures; Lights flashing erratically (headlights, interior lights); Wiring smoking
Codes mentioned: Low voltage warning
Repairs/costs cited: Owners paid $300–$500 per battery replacement; dealers initially denied warranty coverage. Some owners report replacement batteries fail again within weeks. Work orders show extended delays (2+ weeks) with incomplete repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer warranty coverage denied under bumper-to-bumper and extended warranty for first failure, later covered for subsequent failures. No root cause investigation or TSB issued.
Tailgate spontaneous unlatching and loss of feedback
Tailgate unlatches while vehicle is in park or in motion without owner action. Water intrusion into exterior tailgate release switch and harness causes unwanted open signals and battery drain. Owner received notification of recall 24V894000 but failure recurred post-repair. No dashboard indication when tailgate is open. Tailgate button on console easily pressed accidentally with no confirmation feedback.
When: Occurs from early ownership (3,000+ miles) through post-recall repairs; failures while driving, parked, or being washed
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate opens while vehicle is in motion; Tailgate opens while parked, often overnight; No warning light or dashboard indication of open tailgate; Repeated opening when tailgate button on console is easily pressed accidentally; Battery drain from continuous open signal voltage; Tailgate collision with trailer tongue (owner report)
Repairs/costs cited: Recall 24V894000 performed but failures persist post-repair. Dealers identified pinched tailgate speaker harness as cause. Owner notes drain holes on tailgate allow water intrusion directly above latch and harness area.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 24V894000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) issued but not all VINs included. Recall repair does not resolve issue for all owners.
Engine power loss and computer module installation error
Vehicle experiences five catastrophic engine failures at highway speeds (70 mph), dropping power suddenly to 5–10 mph. Owner has documented proof from GM service records and recorded statements from GM head technician confirming GM installed wrong computer module (1500 series instead of required 2500 series). GM dealerships misdiagnosed issue four times, returning vehicle unsafe. After owner refused to waive legal rights, GM allegedly instructed technicians to disassemble and reassemble engine without repairing defect.
When: Failures began at 3,000 miles; repeated over months before correct diagnosis
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power while driving at highway speed; Rapid deceleration from 70 mph to 5–10 mph; Check engine warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Issue confirmed as wrong computer module installation. Owner reports GM's own service records document the defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Alleged retaliatory conduct by GM after owner refused to waive legal rights; technicians instructed to disassemble/reassemble engine without repair.
Brake control system loss of power and shutdown
Integrated brake control systems enter low-power mode or shut down entirely while driving at highway speeds without advance warning. Vehicle displays 'low power mode' message followed immediately by 'shift to neutral and pull over' warning, then shuts off. No power steering available during shutdown. Vehicle will not restart and requires towing. Dealer attributes failure to fuel control module with recall supply issues, but vehicle not covered under the cited recall.
When: Occurs while driving at 75+ mph without warning; mileage context unclear from report
Symptoms owners cite: Low power mode warning message; Immediate shutdown warning (shift to neutral and pull over); Vehicle shuts off before driver can safely pull over; Complete loss of power and power steering; Vehicle will not restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer cited fuel control module as cause, referenced a recall, but vehicle not included in that recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer assistance provided; vehicle falls outside cited recall.
Blind spot monitor malfunction with false alerts
Blind spot alert light illuminates on incorrect side of vehicle (passenger side when vehicle is on driver's side) or flashes repeatedly with no vehicles nearby, especially at night and when towing trailer. Alert occurs only when Adaptive Cruise Control is activated. Dealer can duplicate failure but cannot fix.
When: Failures from 3 miles onward; persistent and recurring
Symptoms owners cite: Blind spot alert illuminates on wrong side of vehicle; Blind spot lights flash repeatedly without vehicles nearby; Worse at night and when pulling trailer; Significant distraction to driver
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to provide fix despite duplicating failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but did not assist.
Rear-view camera failure and multiple module failures
Rear-view camera display goes blank while reversing. Vehicle experiences cascading electrical failures including unintended 4WD engagement, inoperable park assist sensor, and loss of motive power. Check engine light illuminates. Dealer replaced unknown module and reset computer; failure persisted. Vehicle serviced five times with multiple unknown repairs but never resolved.
When: Approximately 8,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Blank rear-view camera screen; Unintended 4WD system engagement; Inoperable park assist sensor; Unknown dashboard message displayed; Loss of motive power while driving; Check engine warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Check engine
Repairs/costs cited: Unknown module replaced; computer reset performed; failure recurred after repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no assistance provided. Buyback assistance requested by owner but denied.
IOK Radio Module failure
IOK Radio Module fails causing loss of all audio functions including hands-free calling, safety chimes, and emergency call capability. Failure occurs frequently (up to 10 times in less than 5 miles) and persists despite multiple software updates and diagnostic visits.
When: Recurrent failures; vehicle still under warranty
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of all audio output; Hands-free calling inhibited; Safety chimes non-functional; Emergency call capability dropped; Module failure occurs 10+ times in short distance
Codes mentioned: IOK Radio Module failure
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple software updates attempted without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle under warranty; no repair completed per owner reports.
Side mirror electrical failure and thermal damage
Side mirrors crack (spider cracking pattern) from electrical issue, becoming unusable. Both mirrors burn simultaneously, indicating shared electrical fault. Failure recurs on second mirror pair after warranty replacement, requiring out-of-pocket repair on second occurrence.
When: Two separate incidents during vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Spider cracking pattern on mirror glass; Both mirrors burn at same time; Mirrors become unusable
Repairs/costs cited: First replacement covered under warranty; second replacement required owner payment.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty coverage provided for first failure only.
Instrument cluster display failure
LED instrument cluster goes completely blank, eliminating all gauges and critical driving information including speedometer, fuel gauge, and oil pressure gauge.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: LED instrument cluster blank; Speedometer non-functional; Fuel gauge non-functional; Oil pressure gauge non-functional
Onboard control module failure and battery drain
Onboard control module fails and drains batteries, causing vehicle power loss and preventing start.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Battery drain; Vehicle power failure; Inability to start
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while towing a trailer and driving down a hill at approximately 40 MPH, the integrated trailer braking system error message was displayed, and the trailer braking system failed to activate. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who was unable to replicate the failure and failure was found. The dealer later informed the contact…
This vehicle exhibits the same failure described in NHTSA Recall N232426400 — spontaneous unlatching after rain due to water intrusion into the exterior tailgate release switch. I’m requesting a goodwill replacement under GM bulletin # N232426400 as the failure mechanism and part are identical. It has caused brake failure and nearly killed me because of battery drain while driving. All American…
When I connect my 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD to my camping trailer that has a solar panel and solar charge controller, it causes the factory-installed brake controller inside the truck to malfunction. The trailer brakes connect and disconnect 4 times a minute sending alerts to my dashboard. This is dangerous. My trailer weighs up to 14,000 pounds and would have to rely solely on the truck brakes…
LED instrument cluster goes blank. No speedometer, no fuel gauge, oil gauge, nothing.
Had electrical trouble with your 2024 GMC Sierra HD?
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 2024 GMC Sierra HD?
It's a meaningful issue. 29 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 29 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 20,000 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/2024/GMC/Sierra HD.
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.