2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 82 electrical system complaints for the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, 17% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 5,050. A related recall (19V888000) covers B+ cable rings that could cause an electrical short.
- Electrical System complaints
- 82
- 17% of 477
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 5,050 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Trucks fail to start and drain the battery, with interior lights, headlights, and radio staying on even after the ignition is off.
- Owners report smoke smell or visible smoke from the hood or cab, and one sample complaint describes a fire starting under the front seat when the rear defrost was activated.
- The backup camera display is described as excessively bright and blurry at night, making it hard to see behind the truck when backing up.
- Some vehicles lose power entirely and throw multiple warning codes, requiring towing to a dealer for reprogramming or module replacement.
- Headlights on right turns fail to illuminate the road ahead, leaving the right side dark on unlit roads.
When 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 15, 2019, latest Sep 15, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500
- NHTSA 19V888000Dec 12, 2019Electrical System350,371 vehicles
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The battery positive (B+) cable rings may have been manufactured with excessive glue, potentially causing an intermittent electrical connection between the B+ cable and alternator.
Risk: An intermittent electrical connection between the B+ battery cable and the alternator could cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. The intermittent connection could also lead to electrical arcing, which could generate sufficient heat to damage surrounding material, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect for the presence of glue or other contamination at the B+ cable attachment to the alternator and clean the connection and reattach the B+ cable connection, as necessary. If arcing has damaged the cable, nut, or alternator, the dealer will replace the damaged components. All services will be performed free of charge. GM issued owners an interim notification on February 4, 2020. GM issued second notice and the recall began March 9, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192273510.
Electrical System complaints by Sierra 1500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical system complaints does the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
- NHTSA lists 82 electrical system complaints for the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, which is 17% of the 477 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 electrical system?
- Yes. Recall 19V888000 covers 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks whose B+ cable rings may have excessive glue, which can cause an internal electrical issue. It is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
- At what mileage do 2020 Sierra 1500 electrical problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints on the 2020 Sierra 1500 is 5,050 miles.
- Did the electrical issues cause any fires or injuries?
- NHTSA data shows 2 fires and 1 injury associated with electrical system complaints on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, with 0 crashes reported.