Digital Dash cluster lost all communication and only has backlight, no speed, fuel gauges, anything what so ever. Can become extremely dangerous if driving down the road without the knowing of speed and other levels such as oil pressure and fuel.
GMC Sierra 1500 fuel gauge problems
57 of the 9,082 owner complaints about the GMC Sierra 1500 describe wrong fuel gauge reading, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 57
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical repair cost reported
- $800
- typical mileage
- 75,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel pump 4Knocking 3Won't shift 2Jerking 2Harsh shifting 2Check engine light 2ABS 2Won't start 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the fuel level indicator on the instrument panel became inoperable and provided incorrect information. The contact stated that due to the inaccurate fuel level, the vehicle almost went into LIMP Mode with the message “Refuel - EMPTY Now” displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the DEF tank had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer that parts to repair the vehicle were on backorder. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,895.
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, diesel fuel started leaking onto the garage floor. The contact recently purchased the vehicle, inspected the source of the leak, and discovered that the fuel lines were completely rusted. Additionally, the contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the fuel level lowered to half a tank the following day, creating a hazard. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but had not yet been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.
While driving on streets and freeways the truck will shift hard and then loss of acceleration and into limp mode. Lights all on dash go crazy like brakes, 4WD, fuel gauge and check engine light. It has done it 8 times now and has been in the shop 5 times with same issue. Major safety issue while driving 70 mile hour then governs it at 55-62 mile per hour.
Subject: Urgent Safety Concern – Widespread Failure and Nationwide Backorder of OnStar Module (GM Part No. 86803964) I am writing to formally raise a serious concern regarding a widespread and well-documented failure of the OnStar module (GM Part No. 86803964) in 2023 GMC Sierra vehicles and potentially other GM models. I own a 2023 GMC Sierra equipped with this module, which has failed, rendering my vehicle’s entire instrument cluster completely inoperative. All screens, including the digital gauges and essential driver information displays, are blacked out, leaving the vehicle in an unsafe and non-drivable condition. After contacting numerous GM dealerships across the country, I have discovered that this part is on national backorder, with over 4,000 units reportedly pending. I have also learned that the part number has been superseded multiple times, suggesting an ongoing and unresolved issue. To make matters worse, Specmo is reported to be the sole refurbisher and distributor of replacement modules, further limiting availability and delaying resolution. This issue directly affects vehicle operability and driver safety. The inability to access critical information such as speed, fuel level, warning indicators, and system diagnostics significantly increases the risk of accidents and vehicle malfunctions. Given the scale of this issue and its impact on public safety, I urge General Motors, relevant regulatory bodies, and consumer safety agencies to investigate this matter thoroughly. A recall, expedited solution, or broader communication to affected customers appears necessary at this stage.
My dashboard instrument cluster has been going in and out since iv owned the vehicle in February of 2022 and iv replaced fuses did the reset test and everything on it and nothing I can’t see my speed rpm’s gas gauge nothing all the lights are on but nothing else moves or comes on I can’t even tell the speed I’m going or if I even have enough gas in the truck to even make it to a store I have add electrical problems since day one with the truck and replaced so many fuses for everything and nothing work’s really even my alarm system don’t work
My anti lock keep kicking in, the panhead by gas tank is completely shot and there is a box by the gas tank for emissions and not able to get 1 and the frame in the front is shot also along with the body that's completely shot and the gas gauge keeps telling empty 1 time and then it goes to full to empty even after I fill it up...
Fuel gauge reads empty all the time. Was working, after sitting for 2 weeks, it didn't.
The ABS and break system warning light has been coming on and staying on. I lost my breaks leaving a parking spot at my local walmart as I was pulling out of a parking spot! We then made appointment for the break system to be checked/repaired. The ABS control system light went off for awhile but then comes back on even after the repair of said repair to break lines. My truck also has no fuel gauge that does not work. With these issues on my vehicle makes it very scary to drive and makes driving limited. I am not able to drive my truck long distances due to concerns of safety and possibly of ABS warning light, break issues, and fuel gauge! I was driving my truck to pick one of my daughters up from school to lose power while pushing on gas then some jerking and a foul smell of rubber burning coming from the front right tire area. I then had someone look at the truck and was told that what ever it was happening that everything looked okay and it was possible just a break sticking. It has happened 3 different times. My truck still has approximately 98,000 or so miles on it. This truck also has bad corrosion on bottom baseboards of the truck. I saw below that I am asked for specific date of issues. I can not provide specific dates since there has been so many things wrong which has happened at different times.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra 1500. While operating the vehicle, the engine suddenly stalled. It was discovered that the vehicle was out of fuel; however, the fuel gauge indicated that the tank was half full at the time of the incident. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (garcia buick gmc, 2721 cerrillos rd, santa fe, nm 87507) were both notified, but no assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
- Risk
- Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.
Recall number 19V837000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: crew cab pickup trucks. The front, inner corner of the fuel tank can contact the body sill either intermittently or constantly. This movement can cause a discernible noise and, over time, can wear a hole in or crack the fuel tank at point of contact.
- Risk
- This condition can result in fuel leakage and a distinct fuel odor if the tank were filled above the level of the hole or crack. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the fuel tank for wear and, either install a spacer between the fuel tank and the front crossmember, or if necessary, replace the fuel tank.
Recall number 98V187000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Sierra 1500 fuel gauge
Which GMC Sierra 1500 years have wrong fuel gauge reading problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (14 complaints), 2000 (11 complaints) and 2004 (7 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix wrong fuel gauge reading on the GMC Sierra 1500?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $800 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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