2016 GMC Sierra 1500 electrical problems

Filed Dec 1, 2025 · Electrical, Visibility · 139,250 miles · OH

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 Satisfaction Program Number: N192265660 (Rear Window Defroster Thermal Events). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,250.

Filed Nov 24, 2025 · Electrical, Visibility · 89,000 miles · IN · fire

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 coming from the rear glass. The contact stated that her husband unlocked the rear doors and released the folding rear seat and saw that the defroster unit was on fire and smoking. The contact stated that her husband turned the vehicle off and the flames were self-extinguished; however, approximately 45-seconds later the driver’s side rear panel window shattered. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program Number: N192265660 - Rear Window Defroster Thermal Events (Electrical System, Visibility). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · IL

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 the last 2 times were within a week

Filed Jun 16, 2025 · Airbags, Electrical · IL

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.

Filed May 6, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · MO

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 GM has not included the 2016 model year in the recall for this exact issue, even though many owners are clearly experiencing the same symptoms as the 2014 and 2015 trucks that were recalled. This needs to be addressed for safety and fairness.

Filed May 6, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · MO

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 GM has not included the 2016 model year in the recall for this exact issue, even though many owners are clearly experiencing the same symptoms as the 2014 and 2015 trucks that were recalled. This needs to be addressed for safety and fairness.

Filed Jan 17, 2025 · Electrical · IL

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 recall and their is N192265660. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 17, 2025 · Electrical · IL

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 couldn’t be because I really leave my home but I looked closer and it was shattered, he said he had heard of that when it’s cold and using your defroster heating up the wire causes it to explode is probably what happened and there may be a recall on it and there is N192265660. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 17, 2024 · Body, Electrical · FL

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 passing around me because I was unable to acceleration fast enough because of the shuddering and loss of power. No previous signs of any powertrain issues or failures before. It happened for the 1st time today, and my truck is no longer safe to drive. GM has known about this transmission issue for years on several different models and has failed to broadly rectify the mechanical problem on all affected vehicles. Instead, GM has allowed the vehicle owners to continue to drive a vehicle with a known problem while it waited for a failure. This put me and my family at risk because I am driving around in a vehicle with a known transmission problem not knowing when it would fail or where I could be located when it failed. GM needs to pay for all repairs on all vehicles with this transmission failure because GM has known about this problem for years before someone gets hurt or killed. GM knew about the shuddering problem from the beginning, and they fixed the problem by tuning the transmission which then caused the total transmission failures over time which vehicles owners are not dealing with. Metal shavings are being located in the pan when inspected. GM should be held responsible for the cost of these transmission repairs. I would have never purchased the GMC Sierra 1500 if I have known GM was installing defective transmissions in new vehicles. That is shady, reckless, and unsafe. GM, pay to fix these problems.

Filed Oct 31, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · KS

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 only fix I have found is to stop in the middle of the road and restart the truck. You can not drive off the road to do this because you cannot control the steering. I almost drove into oncoming traffic when it did this during a turn at an intersection. I have taken it to the dealership and they say then cannot duplicate it therefore don't know what the fix is. I have read multiple complaints on this on line. I have video but it is too big to send in this email.