GMC Sierra 2500 overheating problems

Filed Jul 24, 2026 · Electrical · 9,000 miles · TX · fire

The contact called on behalf of an insurer who owns a 2026 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that 15 minutes after the vehicle was parked and turned off, a neighbor informed the owner that the vehicle had caught on fire. The owner and the neighbor extinguished the fire using water hoses. The contact stated that the fire originated under the rear passenger’s side seat and was caused by an overheating amplifier that had short-circuited. No warning light was illuminated. The Fire Department responded to the scene and filed a report. There was no Police report filed. There was no injury or property damage. The vehicle remained parked, and the owner intended to return the vehicle to the dealer. The owner was provided a loaner vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

Filed May 8, 2026 · Electrical · WV

During normal use, the factory wireless phone charging pad in the center console overheated, produced visible smoke inside the cabin, and melted the charging surface area. No liquids or foreign metal objects were present. The phone was placed normally on the charging pad. The incident created a burning smell and visible damage to the interior trim. The system did not shut down before damage occurred. This appears to be a potential electrical or thermal safety failure in the factory-installed wireless charging system.

Filed Mar 15, 2026 · Engine · GA

Oil cooler blew and mixed oil in coolant reservoir. Possibly causes overheating and engine seizure. This has been confirmed with a certified GM service center. The service center inspected fixed it then within 5 miles had to be returned to the dealer because it happened again.

Filed Nov 24, 2025 · Body, Electrical · GA · fire

The rear defroster massively overheated. It started heavily smoking and eventually exploded the rear windows. Only warning sign was the smoke which we noticed quickly because the windows were up. Had the windows been down we might not have noticed before a fire started. I'm taking it to a dealership now. This module also triggers on from a remote start. Extremely dangerous!!!

Filed Jun 13, 2025 · Electrical · GA · 1 injury

The manufacturer placed two 12v batteries to start the truck with one being located on the passenger side just in front of the cowl of the cab. The factory OEM batteries are known to overheat when charging which is exactly what mine did and as the battery boils over with sulfuric acid, the acid is vaporized and ingested into the cabin. It’s a diesel so it’s common for me to take my dog in the rear crew cab with me and leave the engine running so the cabin will stay cool in the summer while I work my contractor job. When I let the engine idle with windows up and AC on the overcharged battery introduced the vaporized sulfuric acid into the cabin and rendered the interior deadly toxic. Luckily I was only gone from the truck for about 10 minutes but in this amount of time the acid was very bad and caused burns in my dogs throat and mine while driving home. I can only imagine if this scenario were to take place with kids left in the truck for many reasons to stay cool but could easily turn into a deadly situation. PLEASE look into this before someone or some poor animal is fatally injured or killed.

Filed May 23, 2025 · Transmission · OK

Transmission fluid overheating, which is a known issue in other GM models with 6.6L diesel with 12 speed allison transmission. Confirmed by warning message received on dashboard and transmission fluid temperature gauge. This occurred within 3 weeks of purchase. Dealer confirmed “Valve” needs to be replaced. Part is on back order with no arrival eta. Service advisor indicates the truck is not safe to drive and remains in the service department.

Filed Feb 26, 2025 · TX

The AC/Heat blower (fan) stopped working. The vehicle was new purchased new May 2023. August 2024 the blower motor stopped working. Took the vehicle to Jerry's GMC Weatherford, TX (where it was purchased) and they check the blower motor and replaced it. No charge for the service. Reason given for blower motor problem was, "motor shorted out, burnt the wiring and the connector". Now, February, 2025, the blower motor stopped working once again. Took it back to Jerry's GMC, Weatherfore, TX. The blower motor had shorted out once again, burnt the wires and connector. Reason given for the reaccurring problem, " the blower motors they are getting have a bearing problem, causing the motor to go to ground, overheat the wiring and burns the connector". They replaced the blower motor once again and no charge. The reason for this notice is, With these motors shorting out because of internal problems, the wiring melting and connector melting, there is the possibility of a fire hazard. We feel that there needs to an investigation into this problem before something happens. Thanks

Filed Oct 15, 2024 · Transmission · 18,334 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the warning message "transmission overheated" had suddenly displayed and an audible alarm activated. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission valve body assembly needed to be replaced. The transmission valve body assembly was replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,334.

Filed May 30, 2023 · Engine · IN

Low coolant warning light came on. I was towing a travel trailer on a very busy roadway with no place to pull off while pulling a trailer. I had to pull over to the shoulder to check the coolant level and make sure I didn’t cause major damage to my engine by letting it overheat. While waiting to let the engine cool down, I researched and found that this is a very common issue with L5P Duramax Engines in GM trucks and it is specifically related to a faulty coolant level sensor. As it turns out, my coolant level was fine and there was no issue. The danger posed by me pulling over and waiting for well over an hour on the side of the busy backroad with my son in the truck was not a necessary one. It appears that this is a well known issue that is not being addressed by GM.

Filed Sep 24, 2020 · Brakes · 500 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2020 gmc sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving and towing a trailer, she discovered that the brakes were overheating. There was a strong burning hot odor coming from the brakes. The contact pulled over and discovered all four brake rotors were extremely hot. The contact drove and dropped off the trailer. The contact drove 20 MPH and down shifted to control the speed to get back home. The dealer dave arbogast buick-gmc (3540 s co road 25a, troy, oh 45373, (937) 335-0068) stated that incorrect brake pads were installed on the vehicle from the factory and there was a technical service bulletin for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the replacement parts not being available. The manufacturer was contacted and promised to provide a callback. The failure mileage was 500.