2016 GMC Sierra 1500 electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Dec 1, 2025139,250 miOHElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while idling in the drive-through at a pharmacy, the contact noticed smoke coming from the rear window, and the rear window shattered. The contact stated that the defroster was activated at the time of the failure. There was no injury sustained. The contact deactivated the defroster and drove to the residence, where the contact disconnected the defroster fuse. The contact related the failure to Customer…

   NHTSA complaint #11702181 · source
2. Filed Nov 24, 202589,000 miINFireElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that her husband remote started the vehicle. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the defrosters automatically activated. The vehicle warmed up for approximately 2 to 3 minutes. The contact stated that while leaving the driveway, her husband stopped the vehicle to assist with moving a lawn mower. Upon returning to the vehicle and looking through the glass her husband observed that there was smoke…

   NHTSA complaint #11701194 · source
3. Filed Jul 30, 2025ILElectrical SystemSteering

   Loose steering and sometimes steering wheel wants to return to center When this happens I loose all electrical - dash goes blank engine dies etc. the hot battery cable is very hot to the touch. I disconnected the ground cable and wait a few minutes and power returns This is going to cause a wreck if it is not corrected Local dealer says could be bad battery I had already changed it there is a place to say when this occurred it has happened several times over the last year…

   NHTSA complaint #11677146 · source
4. Filed Jun 16, 2025ILAirbagsElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   My rear driver side door electric harness failed only two years after owning vehicle. This disables everything, including the side airbag putting passengers at risk. Most recently (2024), my radio harness failed causing ALL functions regarding infotainment system to be obsolete. Multiple electric issues and no recalls to be seen.

   NHTSA complaint #11667176 · source
5. Filed May 6, 2025MOElectrical SystemSteering

   While attempting to park my 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 at less than 5 mph, the steering wheel suddenly jerked on its own, the StabiliTrak warning light turned on, the dashboard flickered, and the entire electrical system briefly shut off. The anti-theft light also came on during this incident. After restarting the vehicle, it temporarily returned to normal, but this kind of malfunction is extremely dangerous — especially if it were to happen while driving. It’s very upsetting that…

   NHTSA complaint #11659400 · source
6. Filed May 6, 2025MOElectrical SystemSteering

   While attempting to park my 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 at less than 5 mph, the steering wheel suddenly jerked on its own, the StabiliTrak warning light turned on, the dashboard flickered, and the entire electrical system briefly shut off. The anti-theft light also came on during this incident. After restarting the vehicle, it temporarily returned to normal, but this kind of malfunction is extremely dangerous — especially if it were to happen while driving. It’s very upsetting that…

   NHTSA complaint #11659399 · source
7. Filed Jan 17, 2025ILElectrical System

   Rear Window wire exploded on [XXX] at about [XXX] I heard a loud pop coming from Walmart and got 3 doors from my home, haven’t drove it since it was 7 degrees that night but when I took it in to get a hand car wash today January 17, 2025 I shop immediately told me my rear window was broken but since don’t leave my home often it didn’t make sense. The young man said it could’ve been from defrosting the window when it was cold and causing it to explode and there might be a…

   NHTSA complaint #11636619 · source
8. Filed Jan 17, 2025ILElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   January 17, 2025 On [XXX] at approximately [XXX} I was returning from Walmart. 3 doors from my home I heard and felt a loud pop thinking maybe it could be a hose or something because it was extremely cold 7 degrees but everything seemed fine. Today I decided to have my vehicle washed and waxed since it’s 40 degrees but on my way to the shop it sounded like a window or door was open. When I got there the young man immediately said that my rear window was broken I said it…

   NHTSA complaint #11636604 · source
9. Filed Nov 17, 2024FLBody & StructureElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   Paint bubbling on roof. When turning on key, the radio makes a loud buzzing sound. On 11/16/2024, when leaving a traffic light, the truck began surging and shuddering. Tachometer was revving up and down like the transmission was slipping with loss of power while trying to take off and accelerate. While attempting to return home, loud booming noise was coming in from under floorboard. I was unsure if I would make it home before the transmission totally failed. People were…

   NHTSA complaint #11625737 · source
10. Filed Oct 31, 2024KSElectrical SystemSteering

    While driving and making a turn at slower speeds, such as parking lots or intersections, the entire dash cluster including the radio screen will go black. The steering will completely lock up and jerk back to the opposite direction. At the same time the Park assist, stability control keeps flashing on and off. Sometimes the truck will shut off and then tell you to roll down the driver window and roll it back up. It is random and you never know when it is going to do it. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11622902 · source
11. Filed Oct 17, 2024WAElectrical System

    The 2016 GMC have an open recall for the Transmission Temp Sensor. It is throwing the code P0711 and P0700. For some unknown reason, my VIN is not qualifying for the recall.

    NHTSA complaint #11620432 · source
12. Filed Aug 15, 2024WAElectrical SystemEngineSteering

    I have a 2016 GMC 1500 Sierra Denali and experiencing a very scary problem that has suddenly developed with this vehicle. As I am parking or in a slow turn, the vehicle completely looses all power [engine, electronics, brakes, etc..] and the steering wheel jerks out of my hands and then a second or 2 later it comes back on and then repeated 2 more times as I was attempting to park. I had this happen while turning into a parking spot at the store. Then the next day it did it…

    NHTSA complaint #11608843 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology