GM Releases Fix For 2021 Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra Battery Drain Issue
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General Motors has released a fix to address a parasitic battery drain issue that affects certain examples of the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 light duty full-size pickup trucks.
The problem: in affected trucks, the engine control module (ECM) may have an improper diagnostic calibration causing the engine electronics to remain on even while the vehicle has been turned off. This leads to a parasitic drain on the battery and can fully drain the battery while the vehicle sits parked. This problem will also produce diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0111, as well as other “low voltage” DTCs.
The hazards: this issue does not pose an immediate safety risk to the driver or vehicle occupants. A parasitic drain on the battery could leave the vehicle’s user stranded, however, so it’s ideal that this problem is addressed.
The fix: dealers will update the ECM with the latest calibrations from GM. This will fully resolve the parasitic battery drain issue.
Affected components: engine control module.
Affected vehicles:
- 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 (with 5.3L V8 engine only)
- 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 (with 5.3L V8 engine only)
Number of affected vehicles: GM has not said how many vehicles may be affected by this particular issue.
Next steps: GM will notify owners of affected vehicles and instruct them to make an appointment with their dealer. Owners of affected vehicles with further questions or concerns can also reach out to Chevrolet or GMC directly using the contact information included below. This Customer Satisfaction Program started in April 2021 and will remain in effect until May 31st, 2023. Involved vehicles in dealership inventory must also be held and not delivered or used for demonstration purposes until the ECM update has been completed.
Contacts:
- GM Customer Satisfaction Program number: N212335340
- Chevrolet Customer Service: 1-800-222-1020
- GMC Customer Service: 1-800-462-8782
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DOH
I have a 2021 Silverado Duramax 2500. My battery will go dead setting in my garage if it sets for a week without being started.
I still have this problem on my 2012 GMC Sierra! I bought it, brand new. Two weeks, after buying it, I have a dead battery. The dealership left me hanging for 2 weeks with NO battery! Then, the dealership was mad at me for giving them negative feed back to GM. Nine and a half years later, I still have the same problem. If I let the truck set for 5-7 days, dead battery! Two years is the most I get from a battery. Yes, I have had GM’s 45 minute diagnostic test on the electrical system, shows nothing wrong. The service manager suggested that I go to another dealership. What? Every couple months, I run a trickle charger on my truck. It’s so sad, when you tell the truth to GM. The dealership tells you to some where else.
I have the same problem,2004 Silverado 5.3 z71 mine only last two days.
Have they not had battery rundown protection since the 90s? I guess it is time to expand its use.
Ford has the same issues with battery drain too
Forget the battery how about all the 6.2 the GM can’t figure out how to keep the camshaft lifters from jumping out and killing the engines I have a friend that has a brand new one he didn’t make it 20 miles from dealership motor started knocking towed it back to the dealership another got him to put a new motor in it seems as though GM can’t figure out the VVT they’re killing engines right and left need to work on that real hard guys I’m buying a used 2019 and the first thing I’m doing is taking all that garbage off competition cams Holly they all offer a kit to get around the VVT it’s a great engine it’s just stupid engineering on the vbt⁰
VVT has nothing to do with the failure. It’s the cylinder deactivation that causes the cams shaft failure.
Forget all that, what about replacing that disgusting, cheap, crappy interior ASAP!
This happened with our 2020 GMC AT4. It was parked in garage and AAA couldn’t get it out of park so they sent another tow truck to drag it out. Just lemoned it here in CA.
Chevy had battery drain problems on pick ups for years. My 08 Silverado was at the dealer for a week when it was new and never got fixed. Finally I installed a second battery in the other battery tray under the hood, have not had a problem in over ten years. There were many complaints back then on the internet. I still like Chevy trucks.
Curious if these are actually the only models that are effected. I have a 2019 with the 5.3 and had to have a new battery last week. Seems odd that a 2yr old truck has a dead battery. (Needed jump starting after just a few hrs of sitting). Dealer hit me for almost $300.00 for a new one and it is only a 30mo battery. C’Mon man.
I wondered if I was the only one. I even wondered if it was because I have the 6.2 engine. But, now I see that is not it. When I know I am not going to use my truck for 4-5 days, I hook up a “battery tender.” I put another new battery in last November. Two months ago, I was in and out of the hospital for 10 days. I didn’t even get a “click” when I tried to turn it over. The battery did come back to life after I put a good charge to her. I even unplug my “fuzz buster.” What if GM has this problem with these new “EV’S?” LOL! Oh well…
wow you got screwed over dude
3 bills for a 1 bill battery I would have said no thank you walmart has the same battery(johnson controls).
I have 2018 Silverado (51,000 miles) & been having battery problems also. Said 3 year old battery going bad so replaced. Next day low battery again. Took it to mechanic. Alternator tested not working properly (found out common problem because could not find one had to wait) & replaced. Next day low battery again. Turned everything off–radio, fan, etc hoping to find possible drain problem. Had to take to dealership & told everything. No codes, could not find anything, had for days testing. Apparently newer models when battery low causes other internal issues–lights, doors working improperly & other things put of ordinary. Said bring it back if does again. Suggested driving everyday/battery tender since don’t drive very far daily. Glad to hear not only one having this problem. People thought this was not possible since newer vehicle.
This isn’t so much a dig against GM and Machete Mary than the current crop of automotive products in general.
How can such drain problems ever escape engineering notice in the first place?
If GM has hired 50,000 electrical engineers (funny how all the great cars of old had 1, 2, or at maximum 3 designers) – couldn’t ONE of them figure out parasitic drain issues? Of course, absolutely Dirt Cheap alternators with leaky diodes and (ANOTHER GREAT BRAIN GM INNOVATION): now the engine control module does the regulator function – so instead of the alternator being self-contained, a leaky regulator on the ECM means a several hundred dollar replacement – unless of course the crappy alternator itself is also bad.
I remember Jay Leno reviewing the Huge family cars from the 40’s and early 50’s with totally fine 6 volt systems – that every cruise night you see people totally ripping out all the exquisitely designed 6 volt systems… Mr. Leno is a big fan of leaving perfected designs exactly as they were, since he said they were unbelievably reliable and would always start in the coldest weather – as long as you replaced any starter and ignition cables with sufficiently large enough wiring, and I couldn’t agree more.
For those who say ‘modern electronics’ demand huge power consumption 24/7, I say total BS… What with CMOS devices being around for decades – slowing the clock speeds of computers down slower when the car is unoccupied will use almost no electricity while the car is stationary.
S ame problem on 4 2014 2016 2018 and 2019 I found if you un plug instrument panel with battery disc. Let it go to sleep for 15 min. Hoop cluster back up then hook battery then try this every time it has worked and problem does not return and it’s been a year. Thanks
A good YouTube here. Search at YouTube on “how to find a parasitic battery drain” by a21brovo. With everything working off a data bus it could be anything that is causing a drain.
Just had this happen to me on my 2021 Chevy Tahoe. A whole bunch of other problems happened when this happened this weekend. Still trying to get someone to see it!
Ron T 2021 Colorado won’t charge battery in a 9 mile trip. Trickle charge 13 hours between trips. Might as well be a “go-Kart”.
Just had dead battery on new 2021 GMC Sierra.
Now have to figure out resets on everything.
Never notified by GMC.
Just bought a new 2021 Silverado. Now the battery drains in less than 12hours and it won’t even turn over. Have to carry battery cables with me. No notification from GM about the issue.
I have a 2019 Chev Silverado High Country, and i am having dead battery issues. 6 months after i bought it parked it for a week . Battery dead would not charge called gm roadside and guy showed up with battery pack would do nothing. They then sent a tow truck they were able to boost me however truck put into restricted mode 80 km limit. Limped it to dealer battery dead but had also internally open circuited, they replaced battery and reset modules. issue has recurred several times dealer wont even look into issue. Replaced delco battery with heavy duty Odessey better but will still drain battery in 2 or 3 days if parked, much worse in cold weather, could i be having the same issue as the 2021 battery fix issue?
I purchased a 2020 sierra. After 2 days of no use I come out to a dead battery. I’ve also have a continuous issue with the truck losing communication with the key fob, leaving me stranded until I go through the remote relearn program. Been in and out of the dealership regularly for the las t year and a half. Don’t understand why This satisfaction program won’t work on a 2020. I had started a case with GM a year ago only to recently find out they closed my case. They are making it very difficult to buy American.
I’ve been having both the same problems on my 2019 GMC Sierra. Did you ever find out what the problem was?
i havethe problem on the 2016 2500 6.0 just started battery powergetting drained out bought the truck used
Why don’t the figure out a larger battery with more storage, for the electronics that continues to draw volts while vehicle is turned off.
I had to find the fix to reload the control module on line never got a letter from GMC
apparently have not fixed the problem, my 22 AT4 with the 3.0L Diesel went dead after sitting for 2 weeks. dealer just replaced the battery, now says all good. after stepping up with all that $$$ and waiting months for delivery, disappointing to go through this at 6000 miles. what’s next?
2022 Duramax Had it to three dealers , After sitting for 10 days battery are to low to start. Had three duramax cense 2015 had to lemon law the 2015 and now looking to lemon law this one and never buy another chev product again. There is no call not to address this issue , I will never look at there EV , when they cant fix there gas and diesel. Steve