2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Electrical Problems

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 NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,250.

NHTSA ID

11702181

Incident

Nov 30, 2025

Mileage

139,250 mi

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 NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ID

11701194

Incident

Nov 22, 2025

Mileage

89,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11677146

Incident

Jul 27, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11667176

Incident

May 1, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11659400

Incident

May 6, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11659399

Incident

May 6, 2025

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)

NHTSA ID

11636619

Incident

Jan 17, 2025

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)

NHTSA ID

11636604

Incident

Jan 17, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11625737

Incident

Nov 16, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11622902

Incident

Oct 26, 2024

The 2016 GMC have an open recall for the Transmission Temp Sensor. It is throwing the code P0711 and P0700. For some unknown reason, my VIN is not qualifying for the recall.

NHTSA ID

11620432

Incident

Oct 16, 2024

I have a 2016 GMC 1500 Sierra Denali and experiencing a very scary problem that has suddenly developed with this vehicle. As I am parking or in a slow turn, the vehicle completely looses all power [engine, electronics, brakes, etc..] and the steering wheel jerks out of my hands and then a second or 2 later it comes back on and then repeated 2 more times as I was attempting to park. I had this happen while turning into a parking spot at the store. Then the next day it did it a again as I was turning into a different parking lot. I loose complete control of the vehicle. I have been lucky not to hit another vehicle, more specifically a person. I decided to park the vehicle at home and not drive it until I get GMC service to diagnose. I have an appointment at a dealership to diagnose the problem on 08-15-204 at "Chevrolet Buck GMC of Puyallup Inc.". I did some research on the internet and found a site where others have experienced the same problem. I looked for recalls yet none are concerning my vehicle, however I did find a recall# N202325410 that fits the entire issue for some earlier vehicles. Same exact problem. Something to do with the steering column electrical harness. Please advise what recourse I have?

NHTSA ID

11608843

Incident

Aug 4, 2024

While driving I heard “sizzle” sound coming from the rear tailgate sliding window. I had my rear defroster on which I immediately turned off and the sound stopped. I got home 2 minutes later, parked the truck then an hour later when I was about to go back out to pickup my son I noticed the drivers side glass panel had shattered. I’m now aware of this issue under Customer Satisfaction Program [XXX] “Rear Window Defroster Thermal Event” and apparently this was a GM recall in Canada but not the US. I will take it to the dealership tomorrow and know they are going to say it’s my problem but that’s such [XXX]. Hoping they can cover this cost. I’m listing this here as a form of documentation…unsure if this institution can help. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11576463

Incident

Mar 10, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started making a ticking sound and the vehicle independently turned off. The contact stated that he was on a busy street in the middle of traffic when the failure occurred and was almost involved in a road rage incident with an upset driver. The contact opened the hood and noticed that the battery cable was smoking and was burned. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11560901

Incident

Dec 1, 2023

Mileage

150,000 mi

The electrical system keeps throwing a code for short to ground as well as low voltage codes. The voltage gauge on the dash shows either over charging or under charging. The in dash radio and screen shut off and turns back on by itself while driving down the road. Occasionally while backing up or pulling forward the truck completely stalls. The transmission was subject to the shudder issue, we took it to King Cadillac in Lake City, SC for the transmission flush. After the flush we have not felt the shudder, but instead Occasionally when pulling off from a dead stop, or while crossing the very busy highway my house is on the truck looses momentum almost as if the transmission is failing to engage at all, and all of the sudden about 15 seconds later it engages and accelerates at a rapid rate. The steering is extremely loose in the tires, however the steering wheel engages after about 3/4 of an inch. I have taken it to said King Cadillac multiple times and they maintain that the steering is 100%. Although I can not let go of the steering wheel and continue straight for any length of time. I am constantly having to adjust the steering to match the pull of the vehicle to avoid changing lanes or running of the road. After 60mph the tire shake is horrible, after 70mph it is hard to keep the truck in its lane.

NHTSA ID

11541501

Incident

Jan 15, 2021

When trying to turn, the wheel will lock and jerk in the opposite direction, at the same time my dash will say service stabilitrack and my radio screen turns black and the air conditioner/heater turns off. The car looses all power and the ability to turn the wheel in any direction

NHTSA ID

11527959

Incident

Jun 19, 2023

Electronics flash on and off then steering wheel jerks hard back and forth. Total loss of everything.

NHTSA ID

11526471

Incident

Jun 11, 2023

For over a year now multiple times while I'm driving. My vehicle's power steering will jerk/shake very abruptly, dash lights, radio, a/c & heater flicker on & off, service stabilitrak, trailer brakes etc, will pop up. then once stopped and shut off the engine the battery will act like it is dead and I will have no power to the vehicle at all. I have read the recall report & over 1 million SUV/Pickup GM vehicles (Chevy/Cadillac) manufactured through October 2015 are affected with the same issues. My 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 manufacture date on the vehicle is October 2015. I was told my VIN # was not included with the recall therefore they can't do anything to help. Even though my vehicle is experiencing exactly the same problems as the vehicles that were recalled and fixed with no out of pocket expense I am basically screwed. I also have a video of my steering wheel jerking back & forth, dash lights flickering & the engine stalling. (All in the same video)

NHTSA ID

11511068

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

My 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 (5.3L 8-speed). When on the highway or in the city when the truck is changing gears it has a shake almost like hitting small bumps on the side of the road. I have several friends and family members with the same model truck and have spent thousands of dollars to fix the problem by modifying the whole truck. Is there anyway a recall could be made since it has to be a huge issue with all models with the v4 mode? I brought it to a transmission shop due to GMC dealerships being booked for weeks..the receipt is attached! They said the fluid was burnt and changed it but need new torque converter!

NHTSA ID

11499105

Incident

Nov 27, 2022

Sensor temperature transmission

NHTSA ID

11498824

Incident

Nov 1, 2022

Just purchased this used vehicle in December 2022 with high miles (202000) with a dealers extended warranty. Problem has happened twice in 2 weeks. While backing up slowly and turning my wheel the vehicle stalled and Service Stabilitrak came across the dash as it died. Then upon restarting it told me to roll drivers window down and up and the memory seat function cleared as did my clock. Like it had a battery replacement and reset to factory. Took into a GMC service shop where they found code P0700 and P0711. They were able to replicate my concern. Telling me to replace the transmission harnesses and that it is not covered under my extended warranty for powertrain. Going to cost me $1500 in repairs. After extensive research I see this is a common problem yet no recall has been issued for my 2016 GMC Sierra crew cab. Very frustrating!!

NHTSA ID

11497501

Incident

Dec 5, 2022

I REMOTE STARTED THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. I THEN GOT IN, AND TURNED THE KEY ON AND SAT IN THE VEHICLE. WHILE IT WAS IDLING, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I OBSERVED A RELAY? ON THE REAR WINDOW BURNING. I COULD SEE A FLAME (INSIDE OF THE TRUCK) , AND THE TRUCK CAB FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE RELAY EXPLODED, AND THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. I SHUT THE TRUCK OFF, AND THE FIRE WENT OUT. I OPENED ALL THE DOORS AND CLEARED THE SMOKE OUT. I BELIEVE THE RELAY FOR THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER FAILED, CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT AND START A FIRE. I AM REPLACING THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW. THIS IS A FIRE HAZZARD, AND A DRIVING HAZZARD DUE TO THE CAB FILLING WITH SMOKE. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING OR WARNIG LIGHTS THAT THIS WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID

11494668

Incident

Nov 19, 2022

When trying to turn at low speed, the vehicle appear to shut off and the steering wheel violently cuts to the left and then right. I am unable to hold on to the steering wheel for fear of it breaking my wrist. The electrical system seems to completely shut off, as the panel goes black and when it returns, my settings are wiped out and the clock is reset to 12:00. When this happens, I have no control over the vehicle and it is very dangerous to people or property in its way.

NHTSA ID

11493293

Incident

Nov 12, 2022

Transmission shifts hard and seemingly late and early (sometimes to the extent where it feels like someone is slamming into the vehicle). This has happened since purchase in 2019 ( when I told them about it them about it they tried to tell me it was normal and acted like I was a fool), continues to get worse especially in stop and go traffic at lower speeds, but does it at all different speeds.

NHTSA ID

11478079

Incident

Oct 31, 2019

When turning off the road to the right or left and then again left or ight in a parking lot, vehicle loses power steering and electronic functions, resulting in no ability to steer away for other objects or pedestrians. This is a major safety concern and i have stopped driving it since it started doing this. So basically any low speed turning from Right to Left or Left to Right i lose the ability to steer. When it happened at night at eh grocery store parking lot i noticed the interior lights flickered out and then back on also.

NHTSA ID

11475804

Incident

Jul 18, 2022