GMC Sierra 1500 owners have reported 4 electronic stability control (esc) related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common electronic stability control (esc) problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's electronic stability control (esc) (4 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems |
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35-40 mph and hauling a trailer in stop-and-go traffic, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, and the vehicle started losing power. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, where the electronic stability control (esc) and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The parking brake was engaging and disengaging independently. After turning off the vehicle and waiting for approximately 15-20 minutes, the vehicle was restarted, and the contact drove to the nearest independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, it was determined that the repair had not resolved the failure. The mechanic then diagnosed the vehicle cylinder #4 failure. The mechanic was in the process of determining whether the lifter or camshaft had failed. The mechanic determined that the engine might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle failed to properly respond. There were no warning lights illuminated; however, the message esc was displayed. The contact stated that the brakes, steering, and a message to check the trailer brakes was also displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the brake pedal was depressed several times however, the brakes failed to respond, and the vehicle was difficult to control. The vehicle was towed by aaa and then towed to a dealer however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The contact stated that the brakes were inoperable, and the control center was destabilized. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the transmission would downshift, and the vehicle was aggressively shaking while idling and while depressing the brake pedal. While driving approximately 35 - 40 mph, the electronic stability control (esc) service message was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, the vehicle was turned off for a while and then restarted to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the crankshaft, bearings, and tie rods needed to be replaced due to engine failure. The engine was rebuilt and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,636.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle came to a screeching stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electronic brake control module had short-circuited and there was a miscommunication, which engaged the parking brake and locked up the rear wheels. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously taken to the same dealer on two occasions and repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 19v889000 (service brakes, hydraulic, service brakes, electronic stability control (esc); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.