2015 GMC Sierra 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 817 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Sierra 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 29 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 14 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorJul 1, 2021
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 18, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Phase I owner notification letters were mailed on May 5, 2022. Phase II owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM's number for this recall is N202324251.
Campaign 21V504000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, frontApr 8, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have received an incorrect replacement tensioner cable assembly as part of a previous recall remedy or a subsequent repair. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.
A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat belt lap pretensioner, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212330040.
Campaign 21V245000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorNov 25, 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator.
If the end cap separates from the inflator, the compressed gas will escape and the end cap can be propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RRAB modules on the left and/or right side, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on December 22, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Note: GM filed a new recall, number 21V-504 that supersedes this recall. All vehicles previously recalled under 20V-736 will now be repaired under the new recall number 21V-504. GM's numbers for this recall are N202309680, N202309681, and N202309682.
Campaign 20V736000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, wheel speed sensor/tone ringOct 24, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
Campaign 19V761000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, power assist, vacuumSep 6, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
Campaign 19V645000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemSep 7, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.
If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18289.
Campaign 18V586000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalJul 10, 2017
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Campaign 17V437000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalSep 8, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Campaign 16V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsApr 12, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks manufactured January 29, 2013, to January 21, 2015. While entering the vehicle, the seat belt tensioner cable may be positioned such that the driver slides over it. This movement may result in the fatigue and separation of the cable.
If the tensioner cable separates, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent the tensioner from being damaged. Any tensioner that has already been damaged will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15822.
Campaign 16V209000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
817 reports, newest first.
Seats, Jun 12, 2016
REAR SEAT HEADRESTS TOO LOW TO BE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE IN CRASH. THEY ARE BOTH TOO SMALL AND TO NOT STAY LOCKED IN THE FAR UP POSITION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES FOR ISSUE TO BE REVIEWED. AT THIS TIME DEALERSHIP CLAIMS HEADREST FUNCTION IS NORMAL.
Exterior lighting, Jun 12, 2016
HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION EXTREMELY POOR. EVEN AFTER TSB BULB REPLACEMENT WAS COMPLETED ON VEHICLE, LOW AND HIGH BEAM ILLUMINATION IS UNSAFE AND UNACCEPTABLE.
Seats, Jun 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS FOR THE DRIVER SEAT FAILED AND ALLOWED THE SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BECOME WEDGED BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SEAT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200.
Steering, Jun 9, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE POST AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEFT HAND INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY FROM THE CRASH SCENE TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONNECTION POINT AT STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Exterior lighting, Jun 9, 2016
CAN'T SEE AT NITE AND WORSE DURING RAIN. IT'S LIKE A 5 CELL FLASH LITE SET ON THE SMALL NARROW SETTING STEAD OF THE FLOOD SETTING. ALSO CAN'T SEE WILD LIFE THAT ARE STANDING NEAR THE WHITE LINE OF THE SHOULDERS AT NITE. TUNNEL VISION LIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS, PLEASE FIND A CURE. ALREADY HAD GMC'S UPGRADED BULBS.
Exterior lighting, Jun 7, 2016
I HAVE DRIVEN MANY VEHICLES IN MY LIFETIME AND THESE ARE THE WORST HEADLIGHTS I HAVE EXPERIENCED. A VERY SHORT CUTOFF AND WORST OF ALL, NO SIDE ILLUMINATION. I AM ALMOST AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AT NIGHT AND GOD HELP YOU IF IT IS NIGHT AND RAINING.
Structure, Jun 2, 2016
DESIGN FLAW IN CABIN AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM LEADING TO HEALTH HAZARD WITHIN THE VEHICLE. ON TWO OCCASIONS IN MY FIRST 16 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, MICE HAVE ENTERED THE COWL AIR PLENUM AREA AND BUILT NESTS ON TOP OF AND OUT OF THE CABIN AIR FILTER MATERIAL. BOTH TIMES THE FILTER HAS BECOME SATURATED WITH MOUSE DANDER, FECES AND OTHER MATERIALS. EVENTUALLY THESE CONTAMINANTS WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH THE FILTER AND AN ODOR IS NOTICED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MICE ARE BELIEVED TO ENTER THIS AREA THROUGH SIGNIFICANT UNSCREENED OPENINGS AT THE ENDS OF A PLASTIC COVER OVER THE PLENUM IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER AREA UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE CONTACTED GM WITH REGARD TO THIS DESIGN FLAW. THEIR ONLY RESPONSE WAS TO ESTABLISH THEIR CASE NUMBER 711507394608. NO FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN. SO FAR, MY DEALER HAS CONTINUED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE AND INSTALL NEW CABIN FILTERS. NO ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE TO BLOCK OR SCREEN THE OPENINGS. THE TRUCK IS REGULARLY GARAGED WITH TWO OTHER NON-GM VEHICLES THAT DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. INDIVIDUALS WITH RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANT PLENUM DESIGN FLAW IN THESE GM TRUCKS.
Power train, May 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A GEAR CYLINDER FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000.
Exterior lighting, May 27, 2016
HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE UNACCEPTABLE YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING PAST 100 FEET AT 35 MPH ON A DARK STREET. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SIERRA.
Exterior lighting, May 25, 2016
ISSUE: HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT LIGHT FOR NIGHT DRIVING. UNLESS DRIVING IN A WELL LIT NEIGHBORHOOD, THESE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE SAFE LIGHTING FOR DRIVING. I CAN NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT. THE WARRANTY ONLY PROVIDED DIFFERENT LIGHT BULBS WHICH ARE NO BETTER. THESE HEADLIGHTS NEED RECALLED IMMEDIATELY!
Exterior lighting, May 25, 2016
MY 2015 GMC SIERRA HAS DANGEROUS HEADLIGHTS, THEY DO NOT BEAM MORE THAN 30 FEET AHEAD AND THEY ARE VERY DIM.
Visibility/wiper, May 23, 2016
VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 2 MONTHS OLD. I WAS GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 65 MILES PER HOUR AND A HUGE CRACK OCCURRED IN THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE TOP DRIVERS SIDE CORNER TO BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE CENTER OF THE CAR. NOTHING IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD, IT JUST CRACKED.
Exterior lighting, May 18, 2016
THE HEADLIGHTS EQUIPPED FROM THE FACTORY ON THESE VERY EXPENSIVE TRUCKS ARE DANGEROUS. WHEN DRIVING IN CONDITIONS OF LOW LIGHT, THERE IS SUCH LITTLE ILLUMINATION FROM THE HEADLIGHTS THAT IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID A COLLISION DUE TO MINIMAL REACTION TIME. BOTH THE HIGH AND LOW BEAM DO NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT LIGHTING FOR DIVING SAFELY IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS. THESE ARE THE MOST POORLY PERFORMING LIGHTS I CAN REMEMBER EVER HAVING FROM ANY MANUFACTURER.
Exterior lighting, May 12, 2016
THE ILLUMINATION PERFORMANCE OF THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2015 GMC SIERRA IS UNSATISFACTORY FOR DRIVING ON RURAL ROADS. THE PERFORMANCE IS ALSO SUBPAR IN FOGGY AND WET CONDITIONS. I FEEL THAT I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY AT THE POSTED HIGHWAY SPEEDS USING THE CURRENT HEADLIGHTS PROVIDED BY THE AUTOMAKER. I FEEL THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD POSSIBLY CONTRIBUTE TO HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATIONS AT NIGHT. I ALSO FEEL THAT IT COULD CAUSE A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT DUE TO THE POOR VISIBILITY AT POSTED HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 9, 2016
BROUGHT IN MY 2015 GMC 1500 SIERRA TRUCK IN FOR VIBRATIONS ISSUES AT HIGH SPEED OF 70-75 MPH. AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS GMC CORP REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUES IN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AT A NORMAL RATE. THEY CONTINUE TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE TIRES. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE BEFORE THAT SUCH VIBRATION IS FELT IN THE CABIN OF THE TRUCK, PASSENGER SEAT, FOOT PETAL, ETC.THAT IS SO UNCOMFORTABLE, THAT MY WIFE REFUSE TO DRIVE IN THE TRUCK DUE TO ITS SAFETY. GMC WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY OF THESE COMPLAINTS BUT WILL SAY EVERYTHING IS OF SPECS. LIKE OTHERS THIS IS THE WORSE VEHICLE I HAVE EVER PURCHASED. FOUND MORE COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS HAS BEEN FILED, BUT SAME RESULT, GMC WILL DO NOTHING.
Exterior lighting, Apr 30, 2016
HEADLIGHTS ARE TERRIBLE,OUTPUT AND PATTERN ARE POOR,VERY LITTLE LATERAL ILLUMINATION.UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT IN RURAL AREA.DRIVING IN RAIN,VERY DANGEROUS.GET EYE STRAIN AND HEADACHE.
Suspension, Power train, Apr 19, 2016
TRUCK STARTS TO VIBRATE AT 60 MPH AND GETS WORSE THE FASTER YOU GO.
Exterior lighting, Apr 18, 2016
THE PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS ARE INADEQUATE ON A LEVEL ROAD, AND ARE DANGEROUS ON ROLLING TERRAIN ROADS AND CURVES. THEY COULD BE POSSIBLY DESIGNED FOR STATIONARY USE IN A PERFECT ENVIORMENT BUT NOT FOR MOVING VEHICLES, I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT, I FEAR NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT FOR OTHER PEOPLE ON AND NEAR THE PATH OF THIS VEHICLE. MY MIND IS CLEAR, THERE ARE MANY BLOWING THE WHISTLE.
Tires, Apr 18, 2016
TL- THE CONTACT OWN GMC 3500 FOREST RIVER THUNDER XLR THUNDER BOLT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTSE SOMEONE PULL ALONG SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE . THE CONTACT PULL OVER. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS SHRED.
Exterior lighting, Apr 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WAS DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHT COVERAGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE HIGH BEAMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RAISED THE LOW BEAMS; HOWEVER; THE LIGHT COVERAGE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. ..UPDATED 05/09/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED RIGHT AFTER HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON, HIS VISIBILITY WAS APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET TO THE FRONT AND SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS WERE ON, HE WAS ABLE TO SEE AHEAD OF HIM, BUT THE VIEW WAS STILL LIMITED TO ONLY 30 FEET. UPDATED 05/16/16.*JB
Exterior lighting, Apr 5, 2016
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS TRUCK ARE SO POOR, WE HATE DRIVING IT AT NIGHT! I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DID AN "UPGRADE" OF DIFFERENT BULBS AND CHANGED THE VOLTAGE. THIS WAS OF LITTLE HELP. NOW, ONE OF THE UPGRADED BULBS HAS ALREADY GONE OUT OF MY LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD TRUCK.
Suspension, Structure, Apr 3, 2016
WHEN AT SPEEDS OF ROUGHLY 50MPH SEATS VIBRATE. TRUCK HAS ROUGHLY 3000MILES AND THE FRAME, REAREND AND OTHER UNDERBODY COMPONENTS HAVE ALOT OF SURFACE RUST
Exterior lighting, Apr 3, 2016
HEADLIGHTS ARE FAR TO DIM AND DIRECTIONAL TO DRIVE SAFELY AT NIGHT. HAD THE LIGHT FIX DONE AT DEALER. NOW HORIZONTAL BLACK LINE GOING DOWN HILL MEAN YOU CAN ONLY SEE A VERY SHORT DISTANCE IN FRONT OF YOU? HEADLIGHTS STILL INADEQUATE .
Exterior lighting, Apr 2, 2016
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM AND MAKE IT HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SITUATIONS WHERE AN ACCIDENT WAS MORE LIKELY DUE TO THE DIM LIGHTING.
Service brakes, Mar 31, 2016
I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER ON MY K3500 TRUCK. RECENTLY THE MESSAGE "CHECK TRAILER WIRING" HAS BEEN COMING ON FREQUENTLY. AT THE SAME TIME, THE BRAKING CONTROLLER SHUTS OFF POWER TO THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS HAS RESULTED IN A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WITH A TRAILER THAT WEIGHS OVER 14,000 POUNDS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 6 MONTHS NOW. REPEATED ATTEMPTS BY BOTH THE GMC DEALER AND THE TRAILER DEALER HAVE FAILED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD, BY THE DEALER, THAT THE PROBLEM STARTED APPROXIMATELY WITH THE 2014 MODELS. THE BRAKE CONTROLLER HAS BEEN UPGRADED, AND MADE MUCH MORE SENSITIVE TO SLIGHT DEVIATIONS IN THE TRAILER SYSTEM, CAUSING THE CONTROLLER TO "SHUT OFF" SO TO SPEAK. WHILE THIS WOULDN'T BE A BIG ISSUE NORMALLY, WHEN IT SHUTS OFF, YOU LOSE ALL BRAKING ABILITY TO THE TRAILER RESULTING IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. THERE IS NO WAY TO OVERRIDE THIS AND ACTIVATE THE BRAKES. WHAT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING IS A VERY SLIGHT DEVIATION IN THE RESISTANCE IN THE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM (BY 1 OHM OR LESS) AND THAT CAUSES THE "SHUTDOWN" IN THE CONTROLLER. TRAILER BRAKES WOULD WORK, IF THEY COULD GET POWER. BUT, THE CONTROLLER HAS SHUT DOWN, SO NO POWER. MYSELF (AND THE TRAILER SHOP) HAVE BEEN CHECKING THE INTERNET AND FINDING THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. IT APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING WITH ALL THE BIG THREE MANUFACTURER TRUCKS, SINCE ABOUT 2014. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMING UP WITH SOME RATHER "CREATIVE" WAYS AROUND THIS, IN SOME CASES ELIMINATING THE ORIGINAL SYSTEM ENTIRELY. THIS IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE. AGAIN, THIS "NEW SYSTEM THE BIG THREE ARE PUTTING IN IS FAR WORSE THAT THE OLD, SIMPLY BECAUSE IT HAS NO ROOM FOR FORGIVENESS IN A TRAILER SYSTEM THAT MIGHT WORK OTHERWISE, BUT HAS A SLIGHT DEVIATION IN WHAT IS CONSIDERED "ACCEPTABLE" TO THE CONTROLLER. AT THE VERY LEAST, THERE SHOULD BE A FAIL SAFE METHOD.