2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jan 22, 2026 · Visibility · 45,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the defroster activated, there was smoke coming from the rear window, followed by a loud noise. The contact stated that upon turning around, the contact noticed that the driver's side rear window had shattered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Filed Feb 21, 2025 · Visibility · 104,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was smoke coming from the rear middle cabin sliding window. After stopping to inspect the failure, the contact witnessed an amber burning in the middle rear sliding window rail. The contact used water to extinguish the burning amber and moments later the rear driver's side cabin window suddenly exploded. During the failure, there were no flames. The contact stated that no injury was reported. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who referred the contact to an Auto Glass repair shop and the window was replaced. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

Filed Mar 16, 2024 · MI

There was an electrical burning smell in the cabin of the truck and then the radio stopped working. I called the dealership who confirmed that they had issues with previous models and newer models as well but said my 2017 silverado lt was not included in the fix. I took it in and asked them to see if there were any error codes and I was told no error codes everything was clear. There were no warnings no lights nothing just the burning smell. I spoke with another gentleman who has a 2018 silverado lt and said his radio goes on and off and the screen is unresponsive. Yes the vehicle is available upon inspection. My truck could have possibly caught fire due to this especially with the electrical burning smell. This all happened while the truck was off in my driveway

Filed Feb 27, 2024 · Brakes · 130,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, her husband swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle and simultaneously depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact's husband pulled to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact husband noticed that there was smoke coming from the front driver's side brakes and the brake calipers and the front driver's side tire was significantly hot. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving, and the vehicle responded as needed when the brake pedal was depressed down to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the brakes and the brake calipers were replaced; however, the failure recurred within a week. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where the brake pads, the rotors, and the brake calipers were replaced. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which the contact related to the failure. The local dealer was contacted but informed the contact that they could not perform the recall repair because an independent mechanic had previously serviced the vehicle. The contact contacted Joe Bullard Chevrolet (2900 Government Blvd, Mobile, AL 36606) and Terry Thompson Chevrolet, INC. (1402 US-98 E, Daphne, AL 36526), who informed the contact that they could not assist because the first dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Dec 19, 2023 · Electrical, Visibility · OH

Before leaving the house, it sounded like a static noise was coming from the speakers. I turned the radio off and the noise was still there. I get out of the truck to check the back seat area (where the noise was coming from). I put my ear near the window and it almost sounded like a can of something was being sprayed. It was weird, because nothing was in the back of the cab. Anyway, I thought "that's weird" and drove off, not giving it much thought. As I was walking to the truck at Sam's Club, I hit the automatic start. While loading the groceries in the truck, the noise now sounded like a sizzling, snapping sound. Then, I noticed few snowflakes landing near the back window were causing that sound. Again, I thought "that is so weird"!! I put the cart back, got in the truck and started it. At that point, it smelled like something was burning. I jumped out and opened the back door to get a closer look. While trying to figure out what was going on, smoke started coming up from both sides of the back windshield. I ran to the front to take the keys out of the ignition and then the window exploded!! I was so scared to start the truck again, wondering what else was about to happen. Thankfully, I was able to get it home with no other issues. It's now at the dealership getting looked at. They mentioned no recalls, but a quick google search shows that this is clearly an issue!! In 2019, Canada actually recalled over 159,000 vehicles over the high potential of catching on fire!!! After learning this, I'm so happy it didn't actually catch on fire!!

Filed Dec 2, 2023 · Electrical · WA

Rear window defrost almost caught fire about 10 min into drive smoke emitted from near rear window and got worse and worse until I found the cause and shut off the rear defrost. Smokey electrical smell filled the interior.

Filed Apr 28, 2023 · Body · CT

while driving my son saw smoke coming from the rear window defogger, I pulled over and saw melted pieces of plastic, I contacted my dealer when I saw a recall online, my dealer said even though your vehicle is the same year and model and the exact same condition occurred, your vehicle is not listed under the recall. I don't understand why this vehicle is not under the recall when the exact condition occurred. GM was unable to assist with and complete the repair under the recall

Filed Mar 27, 2023 · Electrical · OH

Rear defrost/sliding window began to smoke. Eventually, rear window exploded and shattered with a very loud noise. The noise was so loud it had my ears ringing and unfortunately happened also while I was driving down the road which cased me to swerve abruptly. Fortunately, I was able to steady myself and pull of the road. Prior to the explosion, there was smoke coming from the window that was continuing to intensify in my rear view window as I was driving. I pulled over into a cemetary quickly and noticed the rear defrost button was lit. I quickly depressed it to kill the electrical current to see if it would stop the smoking from the window. It did then disapate. I took off driving again presuming I stopped the issue. Within seconds the right side glass panel in the rear window exploded. The vehicle or component has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center yet. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance reps., as of yet but it will be shortly.

Filed Dec 11, 2022 · Electrical · NY · fire

Rear sliding widow automatic defroster caught fire filled truck with smoke causing driver to make emergency stoppage and open windows to clear deadly smoke condition to breathe when glass shatteted and created loud noise and danger of shattered glass to rear passengers. Recall in Canada for same exact dangerous rear window defect.

Filed Nov 21, 2022 · Visibility · LA

After starting my truck, my kids and i entered a few minutes later, we smelled a faint burning smell but seemed to have faded. driving 50yards away from my home, my rear window (glass on side of sliding window) randomly made the spider web/Crack effect all over the glass and had started crumbling off.

Filed Mar 6, 2022 · Electrical · CT · fire

I went outside and started my truck as I normally do. After a few seconds of the rear defroster being on I heard a sizzling noise behind me. I turned around and could see white smoke coming out and filling the truck w smoke. I quickly turned the rear defroster off and then the truck. The whole component has melted for the rear deforster and rear power window. The truck has less that 60,000 mi. After a quick Google search I learned this is apparently a known issue. This is an absolute safety hazard and needs to be addressed immediately. I shouldn't have to pay for a repair on the electrical wiring or faulty parts that were installed by the manufacturer.

Filed Dec 9, 2021 · Electrical · OH · fire

Was driving for 25 minutes in the truck. Temperature outside was around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I did not know the rear defroster was on. My son who was in the back seat smelled smoke and said that the truck was on fire. I pulled to the side of the road and looked in the back and could see the rear defroster on drivers side was glowing and emitting smoke. I looked at rear defrost light and it was on. I turned the rear defroster off to prevent any more current from going through the wire. Once we were sure there was no more smoke or fire we got back in the vehicle. About 300 seconds later the window shattered. If my son was not in the back seat and smelled smoke the back seat could have caught on fire. I called the dealer and they stated no recalls for my vehicle. There is an article from Canada describing what happened to my truck. https://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/07/gm-truck-recall-2014-2019-silverado-sierra-trucks-over-fire-risk/ No warning at all. The rear defroster just started smoldering and smoking. I do have a rear sliding window so only the left glass pane was impacted.