2015 GMC Sierra 1500: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 17, 2026 · Engine · 124,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph, he observed a popping noise beneath him. The contact stopped the vehicle and observed smoke emanating from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle went into limp mode, lost power, and when the brake was depressed, the vehicle did not slow the vehicle down as intended. The contact stated that as he pulled into a parking lot to inspect the vehicle, he observed flames emanating from the hood. The contact stated that he pressed the hood latch, which did not open the hood, and he then exited the vehicle and observed the hood engulfed in flames. The contact mentioned that a store employee brought a fire extinguisher out and attempted to extinguish the flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire fully. There was no police report, but the police did come out to assist. The contact sustained a right-hand injury, but medical attention was not needed. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.

Filed Apr 29, 2025 · Engine · 122,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power and then stalled. The contact stated that there was a black cloud of smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the rod bearings had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

Filed Nov 18, 2024 · Electrical · FL

I was driving my truck with my family in the car. I turned on the rear window defrost and a few minutes later the rear window blew out and made a loud bang noise. Also a burning smell took over the rear of vehicle. I did some research on line and saw this has happened to several owners of this model year pick up. It’s 100% a safety hazard. Not sure what to do since I don’t see a recall for this common problem. Thank you.

Filed Apr 8, 2024 · Electrical · 60,218 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the fuse box had caught on fire during the failure. There were no occupants inside the vehicle at the time of the failure. No injuries were sustained. There was no Police or Fire report filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,218.

Filed Aug 1, 2022 · Engine · MA

The issues started when I began to notice that I was not having a constant flow of heat coming out of the vents inside of the vehicle. I brought the vehicle over to a local service center and the mechanic there discovered that my antifreeze reservoir was completely empty, but I did not have a leak. After filling the truck back up with coolant, a few days later, while driving, suddenly the truck began to run rough as if the vehicle went into "limp mode". I noticed that the check engine light was flashing and the traction control light was on. At stops, the truck would rough idle, shake, and there was a large amount of smoke coming from the tailpipe. I was able to get the truck back to the same service center that ran some diagnostic tests. He told me that there is a fault in the number 7 cylinder which has no compression in it. I had the truck towed to a local GMC dealership who confirmed that there was no compression in the number 7 cylinder and said that there was a lifter issue in the engine requiring an expensive fix. GMC had the truck from the Friday after Thanksgiving (the Year 2021) to January 4, 2022, to make the repairs. Repairs were delayed due to the dealership not being able to get the necessary parts in a timely manner.

Filed Jan 18, 2022 · Electrical, Visibility · MI

On 9/22/2020 a recall service was performed on my defroster/ power sliding rear window under N192265660. On 1/13/2022 I was driving down the road with the rear defroster on, a smell of burning plastic and a low hissing noise. I was in the process of pulling over to inspect this and the back window of my pickup burst, sending me swerving onto the side of the road. I booked an appointment with the dealer, they are telling me they cannot replace this since the recall was already serviced. Obviously the fix GM is putting into our vehicles is as dangerous as the original design. This needs to be remedied and GM needs to be held accountable, bursting rear windows can cause terrible accidents, luckily I am safe.

Filed May 16, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · PA · fire

I was towing a camper down Rt 422 in Butler, PA in my GMC truck when it suddenly caught fire. My wife was following me and alerted me to pull over as quickly as possible. I had no brakes and the gear shifter went straight up without shifting. The doors would also not open while the truck was filling with smoke. I got out using the manual unlock knob and am lucky to be alive. We had about one minute to try to extinguish the flames before it fully engulfed both my truck and camper. I filed a complaint with GMC. By what I am reading online there are many instances of fires and GMC does not seem to provide assistance. This is very unnerving and scary to say the least. I am sad and angry for this situation. This happened through no fault of my own and I lost absolutely everything. I was in the middle of moving to start a new job and lost many work items in my truck as well. I had to delay my start date for work. Now I am responsible for deductables, insurance increases and other items not covered by my insurance. Now I have to buy a new vehicle and camper but what will GMC do to help me? Probably nothing.

Filed Jan 19, 2020 · Electrical · 86,000 miles · KS · fire

While parked and idling in a parking lot with passengers in vehicle, there was a sizzling sound followed by a flame flicker observed directly behind the driver's side, rear passenger seat at the bottom of the rear, driver's side glass panel. Shortly thereafter, the rear, driver's side glass panel shattered. My vehicle has rear sliding glass and only the driver's side panel shattered. Smoke and burning smell was noticeable. After online research, I discovered the gm recall #n192220470 related to 159,000 canadian vehicles. My situation matched the description of this recall exactly, but according to gm, my VIN# is not included in the recall. My vehicle is currently at my local chevy/gmc dealer for diagnosis and repair, but they don't seem to have much concern about the safety failure and told me the repair is not covered by warranty. To me, this is a serious design flaw and poses a potentially dangerous safety issue.

Filed Dec 4, 2019 · Body, Electrical · 58,427 miles · CO · fire

Remotely started the vehicle this morning and came out to find it smoke filled and the rear defrost on driver's side window was on fire and smoking. It filled car with smoke and shattered the window.

Filed Jan 26, 2019 · Visibility · 68,900 miles · IL

Remote started car. Upon entering and turning ignition on a strong electrical burning smell was noticed. White smoke was seen emitting from base of driver side rear window behind my childs car seat. Moments later a loud bang was heard and window shattered. Vehicle was stationary at the time and running for less than 5 minutes.

Filed Sep 27, 2018 · 51,000 miles · OK · fire

This post is about making the public aware of a potential problem. Although the manufacturer did not step up and do the right thing, I'm concerned others may have dealt with this problem or it may happen in the future. On august 29, 2018, my truck was parked on my driveway by 4pm after running errands for a couple of hours. At 6pm my husband went out to get something out of it and saw it had caught on fire. Nothing was left plugged in and there was nothing flammable in the truck. The fire dept was called and upon inspection stated the fire had started in the center console and spread to the front passenger seat. The cause of the fire look to be wiring that overheated inside the console where the wiring connected to 2 USB ports. Gm inspected the damage and found there was not a manufacturer defect and the cause of the fire was from an external source. Ironically, their 3rd party "expert" fire investigator was not aware there was a wiring harness located behind the USB ports and had to be shown their location. My insurance company is now investigating the incident. I'm asking them to look into the 12v power outlet possibly overheating as I know of someone who had theirs overheat in their 2018 chevy silverado. The day after the fire I sent photos to them and they could not believe the damage. When I told them the outcome of gm's investigation they were dumbfounded. I'm fortunate no one was hurt, but am afraid this may happen to someone else. I made a 40k + investment with gm and literally "was burned". I want other to be aware of the potential fire danger. I did expect gm to step up and take care of their loyal customer (I've bought 8 gm vehicles), but it appears the almighty dollar won out. Thankfully, in my case, no one was hurt.

Filed Mar 20, 2018 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · NJ · fire

Vehicle had a fire starting in the dashboard area behind instrument cluster I think. It took less than 15 minutes from the smell of and issue to flames visible. I noticed the gauges becoming erratic than the check engine light came on with what felt like the 4 wheel drive kicking in and out followed by the motor running poorly. I pulled over, turned the vehicle off as the smoke started. Than dialed 911.. Trooper was there in 6 minutes with fire department shortly after. I was on a highway traveling about 70 MPH. There were quite a few potholes as this was winter time. Lights were on, cruise was on, heated seats and steering wheel were on, radio was on, phone and laptop were charging ( laptop utilizing 110 outlet in truck).