2020 GMC Sierra 2500

On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The vehicles included model year (MY) 2020 through 2021 CT4 and CT5 passenger cars, Sierra and Silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models), XT4 and MY 2021 Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon SUVs.Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-NA-005, issued in March 2021, addresses air bag MIL illumination with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B0001-1B or B0012-0D. It cites rust particles in the connection terminal interface of the driver air bag inflator housing as the cause of the air bag MIL illumination. Illumination of the air bag MIL under these circumstances may result in a non-deployment of the frontal driver air bag during a frontal collision and increased risk of injury to the driver.GM stated a correlation exists between production delays due to the pandemic shutdown and premature corrosion initiation on the surface of the air bag inflator housing, which, in some cases, caused rust development during a seven (7) month period of vehicle production. In the rare instance when a rust particle dislodges from the driver air bag inflator housing and enters the air bag connector prior to assembly, an intermittent resistance spike at the air bag connector may result. The condition generates excessive resistance in the air bag electrical system when the steering wheel horn cover is manipulated or the steering wheel is turned. This excessive resistance is momentary. A crash commanding air bag deployment would need to occur exactly when the momentary excessive resistance occurs. Thus, there is a very low likelihood the hazard will present a risk during a crash of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment. This failure mechanism occurs early in life and results in an air bag MIL illumination that corresponds to a DTC warning the driver that the vehicle requires service. The vehicle's air bag remains functional while the MIL is illuminated, and the DTC is present.Once the connection of the driver air bag module to the clockspring is made at the plant, or at the dealership for service, there is no longer an opportunity for rust migration into the connection point. The connector is sealed and has gold terminals, eliminating the expectation of fretting corrosion. All subject vehicles passed standard corrosion validation testing for extensive corrosion with no issue of air bag non-deployment.There is a low rate of occurrence: 1.41 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV) for all related occurrences, and 0.04 IPTV for occurrences with a mention of visible rust and/or corrosion on the air bag inflator housing. The average occurrence mileage for the subject vehicles is approximately 2,100. Every occurrence related to the alleged defect experienced an air bag MIL illumination and there are no verified allegations of air bag non-deployment within all data sources.To date, there have been no reported fires, crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue. In view of the low rate, and the nature of early-life failure, the high detectability of failures, and low potential hazard to drivers, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at nhtsa.gov under the following identification numbers: 11537927, 11528888, 11525020, 11521401, 11506057, 11493107, 11486767, 11441525, 11433146, 11425658, 11423440, 11385267, 11376429, 11373466, 11366995.

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Reduced Power" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the turbo actuator and wastegate position sensor A-circuit were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the contact was advised that another diagnostic test was needed. The contact declined to pay for the diagnostic test. The vehicle was taken to a retired GM mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with turbo charger failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11747347

Incident

May 30, 2025

Mileage

100,000 mi

While driving down a highway doing between 45 and 55 mph the transmission suddenly and completely faulted causing the truck to come to a complete stop. Just enough power to get to the shoulder luckily. The transmission had basically completely blown out, fluid everywhere. The insurance company did not find any comprehensive damage. The entire transmission needs to be replaced. There were no indicators showing any problems, no alerts, no warning whatsoever. Mechanics said there was a lot of metal coming out of the transmission. The truck is currently in a mechanic shop awaiting the new transmission, so at this time it is available for inspection. The safety issue here is that it happened on a busy highway, and the vehicle was no longer drivable so it needed to be towed causing more time spent on the side of the road.

NHTSA ID

11723197

Incident

Feb 18, 2026

A couple times I heard loud clanking coming from rear brakes. One time in particular I was trying to stop and it felt line someone had ran into my truck but must have been the rear wheel locking up

NHTSA ID

11718162

Incident

Jan 30, 2026

The main tailgate will not go down or function properly and it says online there is a national recall for this, but does not come up when I search my vehicle. When I turn on my left turn signal the brights flash for no reason and this is a known major issue with the vehicles as well. The trucks computer is telling me low on coolant even though it is not that has already been fixed through a 3rd pARTY WARRANTY Parking brake was stuck on when I bought the vehicle and had been for a long time you could tell and I had to pay over $1100 to fix it at GM. The Ford collision system does not work properly and the cameras will come on at certain times when they're not supposed to be and not come on when they are supposed to be

NHTSA ID

11706292

Incident

Dec 19, 2025

Bad vibration and bad wobble in steering wheel and front end components. This is the 3rd or 4th time my truck has been back to the dealer because of the same issue!

NHTSA ID

11704835

Incident

Nov 1, 2025

Catastrophic engine failure after taking it in for the April 2025 recall. Complete engine replacement needed

NHTSA ID

11703546

Incident

Nov 26, 2025

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!!!

NHTSA ID

11701143

Incident

Nov 23, 2025

Torque converter in my transmission we out, causing my gears to grind and lose power. Slight rumbling sound under the front passenger seat, First dealer (Palmen Motors, Kenosha WI) told me there was nothing wrong with the vehicle and no transmission error codes exist. Second dealer (Parks GMC, Greenville SC) indicated that i need a complete new transmission. Part is on backorder for the last 4 weeks and I am without my vehicle. No ETA for new part or any information on why it failed prematurely.

NHTSA ID

11693346

Incident

Jun 13, 2025

This PI provides information to repair the door water deflector which is not sealed properly allows water into the door jam/sill area.

This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

This PI was created to help avoid unnecessary front camera module replacements

The purpose of this PI is to inform dealer technicians of a normal cab pressure relief valve noise to avoid unnecessary part replacement

This Preliminary information communicates information on a hydraulic rush type noise from the power steering gear. This noise is a characteristic of the new Active Hydraulic Assist System RPO NV8 and no repairs should be made.  The noise is most noticeable in the cab at idle, in park, with all accessories turned off.