I purchased my 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 on July 4, 2024. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle began experiencing recurring electrical and electronic malfunctions affecting multiple safety and driver-assistance systems. These issues include power mirrors not consistently folding when the vehicle is locked, the digital speed (MPH) intermittently not displaying on the dashboard, driver seat memory not…
2024 GMC Sierra electrical problems
moderate 32 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 32 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
The 2024 GMC Sierra is showing a pattern of serious electrical and powertrain defects that start showing up at very low mileage. Loss of engine power at highway speeds is the most critical complaint—owners describe complete shutdown with no warning, loss of steering assist and braking assist, and inability to restart. Several of these incidents occurred even after owners brought trucks in for an existing GM recall (NHTSA 25V-274) addressing engine loss of propulsion on 6.2L engines.
Beyond the engine shutdowns, owners report pervasive infotainment and sensor failures: backup cameras that stay black or cut out intermittently, rear parking sensors that don't alert before collisions, audio systems that lose all sound until the vehicle is power-cycled, and radio controls that lock up. One owner had a backup camera replaced as part of a full infotainment system swap and still experienced the same failure. Instrument clusters are going blank, leaving drivers unable to see speed or fuel level.
Parasitic battery drain, unintended window actuation, tailgates opening on their own, and automatic emergency braking engaging without obstacles are also reported. On the transmission side, owners describe rough banging shifts, vehicles stuck in first gear, and at least one case of transmission failure requiring replacement with parts on indefinite back-order. Dealer service timelines are alarming—some vehicles sit for weeks to months waiting for parts that don't arrive or for diagnoses that never materialize.
Same GMC Sierra electrical reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2025
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of propulsion / engine shutdown while driving
Vehicle loses all power, engine shuts down, or shifts unexpectedly into Neutral without warning while operating at highway speeds or during normal driving. Multiple complaints describe complete electrical failure, loss of steering assist, loss of braking assist, and inability to restart. One complaint (#1) occurred pre- and post-recall; another (#12) involved shift to Neutral followed by locked engine and multi-month service delay. Complaint #9 references diagnostic code P0016 (cam/crank timing) and a recent recall.
When: Occurring at low mileage (3,000 km, 12,887 miles, 13,000 miles, 20,000 km, 40,000 miles); some events happen within weeks of purchase or post-recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown while driving; Unexplained shift to Neutral or inability to shift; Loss of electrical power; Loss of power steering; Loss of braking assist; Engine will not restart; Ignition lights remain on after shutdown
Codes mentioned: P0016
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #1: Engine replacement ordered, on back-order with no ETA; dealership understaffed. Complaint #12: Service initially blamed fuse block, then starter; later found internal engine failure with several-month repair timeline. Complaint #16: BCM replaced four times, battery replaced five times, cause not determined. Complaint #8: Dealer requested transmission cap and later offered new transmission, both unavailable; customer making payments on non-operational vehicle since May.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #1: GM issued recall notice NHTSA 25V-274 / GM N252494000/001/002 for potential loss of propulsion on 6.2L L87 engine vehicles. Recall service performed July 23–28, 2025, but loss of propulsion recurred. Complaint #9: Owner learned code P0016 matches a recent GMC recall issued days before incident.
Audio system failure (infotainment speakers)
Disconnect between infotainment system and speakers occurs without warning. All vehicle audible warnings (turn signals, hazard lights, collision warnings, parking warnings) and audio system audio cease, while display screens continue to function. Issue persists indefinitely until vehicle is fully powered down and restarted.
When: Occurring on brand-new vehicles within weeks of purchase (October 2024); reported as recurring issue across multiple model years on forums
Symptoms owners cite: All speaker audio ceases (vehicle warnings and audio system); Infotainment display screen continues to function; Instrument cluster continues to display normally; Loss of audible turn signal, hazard light, and parking/collision warnings
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #6: Complete shutdown and restart required to restore audio. Complaint #20: Dealer confirms known issue with 2024 & 2025 GM infotainment centers; leaving vehicle off for period of time or power cycling may restore function.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #20: Dealer acknowledges this is a known issue affecting 2024 & 2025 GM informational centers.
Starter malfunction / grinding noise on ignition
Starter produces loud whining or grinding metal-on-metal noise when ignition button is pressed, even though engine does not turn over. Noise is alarming and audible from inside a store. Issue may resolve after multiple attempts or waiting 15–20 minutes.
When: Occurring on vehicles less than 1 year old; complaint #7 noted issue after parking, when attempting to restart
Symptoms owners cite: Loud whining or grinding metal-on-metal starter noise; Engine does not turn over or start; Ignition lights remain illuminated while engine is off; Issue resolves spontaneously or after extended waiting period
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #7: Issue added to service appointment but not addressed by dealer.
Unintended acceleration
Vehicle accelerates without driver input or cruise control engaged. Vehicle maintains speed without foot on gas pedal, or accelerates on its own when driver taps pedal. One complaint (#5) describes truck accelerating to 28 mph before brakes were applied; aftermath included high idle, complete electrical failure, and dead battery.
When: Occurring at low mileage (4,000 miles on new truck)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle maintains speed without throttle input; Vehicle accelerates without driver input; High idle after incident; Complete electrical failure (all ignition lighting remains on, engine will not restart); Dead battery following incident
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #5: Vehicle towed to Rainbow Buick GMC in Covington, Louisiana; dealer unable to diagnose after 10 days; battery was dead.
Parasitic battery drain
Opening the vehicle door triggers immediate parasitic drain on battery, causing complete electrical power loss. Battery drains even when vehicle is stationary. Multiple battery replacements and BCM replacements have not resolved the issue.
When: Occurring on vehicle with 48,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Parasitic battery drain triggered by opening door; Total loss of electrical power; Vehicle stalls and loses all electrical power while stationary or while driving; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #16: Battery replaced five times; Body Control Module (BCM) replaced four times; failure persisted; root cause not determined; vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified; no response documented.
Windshield and door window malfunction
Windshield washer fluid activates without driver input, and all four windows lower or raise without driver input in response to road bumps. Windows become stuck and inoperable until vehicle is powered down and restarted, after which three of four typically function with the fourth requiring further cycling.
When: Occurring on vehicles during normal driving; complaint #14 notes issue happening twice on same drive
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield washer fluid sprays unintendedly; All four windows lower without button input, triggered by road bump; Windows will not respond to close commands; Temporary fix requires vehicle shutdown and restart; Intermittent window functionality after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #17: Loosened electrical wire repaired by dealer; complaint #14 has not yet been brought to service.
Tailgate opens without input
Tailgate opens on its own without driver input or warning. First incident resulted in tailgate resting against garage door with scratching damage. Second incident involved tailgate opening while vehicle was in garage, partially protruding outside.
When: Occurring on vehicles after normal operation; timing intervals between incidents are days or weeks
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate opens without user input; No warning message or indicator; Tailgate remains open unless manually closed; Risk of cargo loss if hauling items
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #15: Not yet brought to service center.
Backup camera and parking assist sensor failure
Backup camera displays black screen, cuts out intermittently, or fails to display image. Rear parking assist sensors fail to function consistently and do not alert before contact with objects. Owner has backed into objects multiple times before sensors activated or without any warning. Issue persists despite multiple dealer visits and extended service time.
When: Occurring on vehicle purchased July 4, 2024; issues present since shortly after purchase; still unresolved as of December 2025 after multiple visits
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera displays black screen; Backup camera cuts out intermittently; Rear parking assist sensors fail to alert; Multiple collisions with objects during reversing due to sensor failure; Backup camera fails to display image
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #4: Vehicle brought to dealership January 13, 2025 (issues unresolved), September 1, 2025 (invisible trailer feature inoperable), September 11, 2025 (kept until December 2, 2025—approximately one month). Entire infotainment system replaced, but issues persist. Scheduled to return January 2026. Complaint #19: Entire infotainment system replaced after six service visits but backup camera still fails intermittently. Complaint #27: Camera images distorted with mixed colors, clarity inadequate.
Instrument cluster and digital display malfunction
Instrument cluster goes blank, becomes inoperable, or loses specific functions. Speedometer display disappears or becomes unavailable. Heads-up display does not retain settings. Dashboard icons illuminate when engine is off. Digital cluster intermittently shuts off.
When: Occurring on brand-new and low-mileage vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument cluster completely blank; Speedometer not displayed; No access to fuel gauge or speed information; Dashboard icons illuminated while engine is off; Heads-up display loses settings; Digital cluster shuts off and on intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #26: Gauge cluster quit working with no speedometer or fuel information available. Complaint #30: Instrument cluster shorted out and was blank with no gauge functionality.
Radio and infotainment system failures
Radio cuts in and out, screen goes black or fuzzy, all radio controls become unresponsive. Stereo volume unexpectedly maxes out without user input, then mutes itself. Audio levels decrease and increase randomly without user adjustment. Radio may reset and require vehicle restart to regain function. Radio stays on after truck is shut off.
When: Occurring on brand-new vehicles within days to weeks of purchase; complaint #24 describes issue on truck purchased one week prior
Symptoms owners cite: Radio cuts out; Screen goes black or displays fuzzy image; All radio control functions become inoperative; Stereo volume suddenly maximizes without input; Stereo mutes without user command; Audio levels fluctuate randomly without adjustment; Radio remains on after vehicle shutdown; Loss of audio from infotainment system
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #24: Issue resolved only after vehicle restart; controls remained non-functional until restart. Complaint #25: No repair noted. Complaint #28: No repair noted.
Headlight and interior lighting failure
Headlights and interior lighting, including dashboard, fail to activate after remote start or with ignition on. Vehicle is completely dark. Issue also coincides with transmission not shifting from Drive.
When: Occurring on brand-new vehicle with less than 100 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights will not activate; Interior lighting fails; Dashboard lighting fails; Vehicle is completely dark; Transmission will not shift from Drive; No warning messages in DIC
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #21: Remedy was complete vehicle restart.
DEF sensor and heater freeze-up / limp mode
During winter months when temperatures drop to single digits, DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) sensors freeze, causing major malfunction. Heater also shorts out. Vehicle enters limp mode and becomes stranded. Issue has recurred for two consecutive winters on same vehicle.
When: Recurring seasonal issue during single-digit winter temperatures; complaint #22 describes second occurrence in 2025
Symptoms owners cite: DEF sensors freeze; Heater shorts out; Vehicle enters limp mode; Speed limited to 55 mph with limited remaining range (34 miles in complaint #22); Vehicle becomes stranded
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #22: No repair noted; vehicle has 34 miles remaining before speed limiter engages.
Automatic emergency braking malfunction
Vehicle's automatic emergency braking system activates unintendedly and slams on brakes when no collision hazard is present. Activation is sudden and forceful, causing injury to passengers. Collision warning system may also activate without vehicles or objects present.
When: Occurring on brand-new vehicle with 900 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic emergency braking engages without collision threat; Sudden, forceful brake engagement; Blind spot warning indicators activate without vehicles or objects present; Passenger injury from sudden braking
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #23: Vehicle also has check engine light and transmission warning at 900 miles.
Transmission shift and transmission warning issues
Transmission shifts roughly or bangs during gear changes. Transmission warning light illuminates. Vehicle stuck in first gear and unable to manually shift. Transmission failure after stalling events requiring replacement, with parts unavailable.
When: Occurring at very low mileage (900 miles, shortly after purchase); complaint #8 describes stalling and transmission issues escalating to failure requiring replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts roughly or bangs; Vehicle stuck in first gear; Unable to manually shift; Transmission warning light illuminates; Transmission internal failure after stalling
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #8: Dealer requested transmission cap and later offered new transmission; both unavailable. Customer making payments on disabled vehicle since May. Complaint #23: Transmission bangs and shifts horribly; check engine and transmission warnings at 900 miles.
Trailer brake control and towing electrical issues
Trailer brake control system displays false diagnostic messages ('check trailer wiring' followed by 'brakes connected' repeatedly). When messages occur, trailer brakes quit working even though all lights function. Turning off one of four electric brake magnets silences the error message and allows three brakes to function. Technical bulletin exists but does not cover all affected models.
When: Occurring during towing trips; complaint #11 describes issue beginning on second towing trip
Symptoms owners cite: DIC displays 'check trailer wiring' message repeatedly; DIC displays 'brakes connected' message repeatedly; Trailer brakes fail while all trailer lights continue working; Error messages loop indefinitely
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #11: Owner replaced trailer 7-pin plug and cleaned connections without resolution. Disconnecting one of four electric brake magnets silences message and allows three brakes to function. Dealer has not yet inspected. Owner suspects controller or software issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical bulletin exists for some GMC truck models but affected model not listed.
Seat memory and climate control malfunction
Driver seat memory does not always set upon vehicle entry. Power mirrors do not consistently fold when vehicle is locked. Air conditioning system gets stuck on 'hot' setting and delivers warm air (92 degrees) when set to low/fresh air mode.
When: Occurring on vehicle purchased July 4, 2024; issues present since shortly after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Seat memory fails to activate on entry; Power mirrors do not fold when locked; A/C unit stuck on 'hot' mode; Warm air delivery despite low temperature setting
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #4: Not resolved after multiple dealership visits.
Engine rough idle and hunting for stable speed
Engine exhibits slow, rough idle and continuously hunts for stable speed. Issue is non-intermittent and persistent. At times engine nearly stalls. Vehicle equipped with 6.2L engine.
When: Occurring on vehicle purchased October 2024; issue ongoing since mid-October 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Slow, rough idle; Engine hunting for stable speed continuously; Nearly stalling at idle; Non-intermittent problem
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #10: Vehicle was under recall and control modules were reflashed before purchase (as new vehicle). Dealer reflashed again but problem persists. Dealer cannot duplicate issue despite 2 weeks in shop.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle had control modules reflashed due to recall before purchase; reflash repeated by dealer without resolution.
Backup light brightness insufficient
Backup lights are very dark, making it difficult to see while reversing at night. Lights are unsafe and completely inadequate in rainy conditions.
When: Occurring on vehicle during normal use
Symptoms owners cite: Backup lights very dim; Unable to see while reversing at night; No visibility in rainy conditions; Safety hazard while reversing
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #29: No repair noted.
Synthesized from 32 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
On 2 occasions now my tailgate has opened on its own. The first incident happened sometime after I got home from work for the night, when I went to leave in the AM my tailgate was resting on the garage door and had been scratched. The second time it happened I didn’t notice it while driving but when I went to close the garage door I looked back and saw the gate was open and partially sticking out…
Truck thinks I’m about to run into something and slams on its brakes. Last time it sent my sister to the hospital to get 6 staples in her head. Digital cluster goes on and off as well as the infotainment center. Transmission bangs and shifts horribly. 900 miles on the truck with a check engine light and transmission warning.
Every winter when the temps dip into single digits something on the truck freezes and causes a major malfunction. This winter (2025) is the second time I’ve had a problem with the truck freezing up and leaving me in “limp mode”. Last year the same thing happened. The def sensors freeze up and the heater shorts out leaving me stranded in my $70,000 truck. I now have 34miles remaining until my…
Had electrical trouble with your 2024 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 2024 GMC Sierra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 32 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 32 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 25,500 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.
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.