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GM Releases Fix For Chevy Silverado, Tahoe And Suburban Trailer Brake Control Switch Issue

GM has issued a service bulletin for certain units of the Chevy Silverado 1500, Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban due to a problem with the brake control switch.

The problem: affected vehicles equipped with the Integrated Trailer Brake (RPO code JL1) may have a “Service Trailer Brake” message when connecting a trailer with an electric brake to their vehicle. Additionally, this warning may light up when the driver attempts to use the manual apply slider on switch or depress the brake pedal while towing.

2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2.

The fix: certified GM technicians will be instructed the unit and replace the Trailer Brake Control Switch as necessary. It will take GM techs roughly an hour-and-a-half to perform the fix.

Affected components: Trailer Brake Control Switch.

Affected vehicles: (including all affected GM models):

Number of affected vehicles: it’s currently unclear how many vehicles are affected by the service bulletin.

Owners should: wait to be contacted by GM or schedule an appointment with their local Chevy dealership to have the service bulletin performed. Notably, this Customer Service Program will only be in effect until March 31st, 2025.

Contacts:

  • GM Customer Satisfaction Program Number: N222384930
  • Chevy Customer Service: 1-800-222-1020

It’s worth noting that the vast majority of vehicles affected by this service bulletin ride on the GM T1 platform, with the GMC Hummer EV being the only exception. GM’s all-electric supertruck rides on the GM BT1 platform, and utilizes Ultium battery and Ultium Drive motors for motivation as opposed to the ICE engines used by the other vehicles.

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Comments

  1. My 2020 Silverado does the same thing

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    1. My 2020 is ALSO doing this! (Not getting ANYWHERE with two different Dealerships?!) Even when I show them the Bulletins with the “fix”. How do we get this issue resolved? Been in and out of Gen.RV (no problem found) and Dealerships (the only thing done was replacement of the 7-pin receive on the truck.. did NOT fix the issue.. so now I have a new part that was unnecessary). I’m working on filing a BBB Auto Line Complaint with GM after 18 months of headache..

      Reply
  2. My 2017 Silverado does the same thing

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  3. My 2015 Silverado has the same issue.

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  4. As does my 2010 GMC Sierra 2500.

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  5. I have a 2015 Silverado and I get a message on the dashboard saying “service trailer brake” …
    I spoke to the dealership Pryor, Oklahoma and they said the vehicle would have to be there and the message displaying before they could diagnose the problem, well, it’s still comes on and goes off….
    Quiet annoying.

    Reply
  6. My 2015 1500 Silverado LTZ does this intermittently. Very annoying.

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    1. My wife’s 2019 2500hd does the same thing and was told by the dealer the same thing as Virgil. When it comes on no trailer brakes so I have her pull over and shut off the truck and restart and brakes will work again.

      Reply
    2. My 2022 silverado 2500 does the same thing. I took it to the dealer and they charge me $200 dollars for the diagnostic. They came up with the excuse that my truck had aftermarket tail light, but they are not aftermarket.

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    3. My 2017 does the same thing, apparently it’s the switch on the dashboard, that is defective

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  7. My 2014 Silverado doethe same thing

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  8. My 2015 Silverado 1500 does the same thing. I just squeeze the adjuster switch and it goes off.

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  9. My 2002 tahoe does the same thing

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  10. My 2020 3500 does the same thing

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  11. My 2010 Silverado has the same issue..🤷🤷

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  12. My 08 Tahoe does the same thing, but I don’t have the trailer brake switch next to the headlight switch. It’s been a massive pain in the A. I have power etc to the 7 pin, only thing that isn’t working is the electric brake pin.

    Reply
  13. My GMC Denali 1 tom 3500 dully is bad also. 2023

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  14. just brought a 2024 Dually, brake control will not recognize my trailer with electric over HYD brakes. lights work but nothing else. The GM Dealer says there is nothing they can do. which the trailer works on my 2015 dually and a 21 2500 with no problems. you spend 80k for a unit which all I can do anything with except get groceries with. so any help would be great. because the GMs dealer’ don’t care.

    Reply
  15. Calle GM and spoke to someone on 800 number. they confirmed the issue. I am stuck in CO after driving here to pick up a trailer from CA. and now trying to get a service visit on Friday before being stuck for the whole weekend. Where is the open notice and emails when it is a known issue!

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  16. Finally, after four months of fighting with Gmc and nine GMC service people the last person number nine was able to delete all of the computer program parts of the trailering system on the truck and reloaded it with updated software which fixed the issue. Mine is a 2023 GMC Dinali 3500. I know five other people with this problem. Hopefully this will help people.

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  17. I have a 2024 3500 it will not see a trailer with electric over hydraulic brakes. They want to put an after market control / module on to fool the truck to make it work.

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  18. My 2015 Silverado has the same issue

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  19. Same issue with a brand new 2024 GMC 3500HD Denali. Took an 800 mile trip and had this indicator come up multiple times. Checked all wiring on trailer and couldn’t find anything wrong. Same trailer has no issues behind a 2022 F350. Truck has less than 1500 miles on it and over half that was accumulated pulling our 2023 Grand Design 337RLS with it throwing these errors and disabling the brake controller randomly.

    Reply
  20. This needs to be a class action lawsuit. I have a 2020 2500hd diesel. I randomly lose trailer brakes towing my 2019 TT. I towed this trailer before with a 2012 ford f150 without issue, this Chevrolet is an electrical lemon. I have paid for diagnostic fees of $125 and $200 and all they could tell me was that we don’t know so good luck on your 3 hour remaining drive, or my favorite, losing trailer brakes going down a 7% grade is, “Working as designed”. I replaced the plugs on the trailer and the truck. Still randomly going in and out. I have replaced all the brakes with new components on the trailer. New wiring. Another time another set of new wires. Replaced the plug on the truck with a 7 pin magnetic one, suggested by the dealership in IL. Still random crap. GM customer care says, just go and get it diagnosed AGAIN but I have to pay for it which I already have and they STILL don’t know what is wrong with it, but boy do they take the money. Someone is going to die towing their trailer and lose trailer brakes. GM needs to own up to this crap.

    Reply
    1. OMG Keith! I TOTALLY agree with you and continue to have the SAME EXACT response from GM! I am currently filing a BBB Auto Line complaint (after contacting GM and going to two different dealerships, with unresolved issue and multiple grabs at my money just to tell me, “It’s the trailer” … Code C1114 keeps coming up. How do we start a Class Action Law Suit? I’m worried somebody (my own family included) will die while towing! I have a 2020 Silverado… it was under Lease contract while this issue started. I should have just turned in the lease but ended up buying it (financially better option for me) . I guess I was hopeful the issue would eventually be resolved but.. I”m continuing to fight it.. documenting EVERYTHING and praying I eventually get my money back. Please keep us posted if you manage a resolution somehow- Thank you!

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    2. I called the GM hot line a while back only to be told they are aware of the problem and working on a fix. Only now it appears the fix does not help my 2020. (out of the warranty window so why should they care) I filed a report with NTSB and I actually received a call back. I stated this was a safety issue to loss of braking while towing. Along with filing with the BBB, I would encourage each and everyone of you to also file a complaint with NTSB for intermittent NO BRAKES while towing. I mistakenly stated trailer wiring disconnect which turned into trailer disconnect narrative entered by call taker. Followup call clarified matter. No braking seemed to resonate. GM apparently doesn’t listen to their customer base. Thankful we have others to demand recalls.

      Much cheaper than an hours labor is a replacement on Amazon for less the $60. Any info if this is a new one and can be installed without code updates or software?

      Reply
  21. I would join a class action on this

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  22. My 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71 LTZ has the same message every time I start the truck. I changed the dash switch, Changed the Brake control module above the spare tire, checked all the fuses and relays. All the trailer lights, brake & blinkers work at the plug on the back of the truck. Just no trailer brake output. Not sure what else it could be. Any suggestions?

    Reply
  23. 2024 GMC Denali 3500 – Truck WILL NOT work with electric over hydraulic brake system !!!!!!!!!!

    Tested truck with electric brakes only trailer – works fine.

    Tested with two different electric over hydraulic trailers – DOES NOT WORK. Both trailers tested did not have solar panels for charging or auxiliary batteries for accessories on trailers.

    Dash says : “Trailer Brakes Disabled Service Required” & “Check Trailer Wiring”

    Reply
  24. August 3, 2023

    2024 GMC Denali 3500 – Truck WILL NOT work with electric over hydraulic brake system !!!!!!!!!!

    Tested truck with brand new electric brakes only trailer – works fine.

    Tested with two different new electric over hydraulic trailers – DOES NOT WORK. Both trailers tested did not have solar panels for charging or auxiliary batteries for accessories on trailers.

    Dash says : “Trailer Brakes Disabled Service Required” & “Check Trailer Wiring”

    Reply
  25. Our 2014 Silverado is doing the exact same thing. Its so frustrating! We don’t even tow anything with it. After searching what could be causing it, I have found that multiple people with older trucks are dealing with this too! Why only the newer vehicles recalled? Clearly its a known problem for all different years!

    Reply
  26. 2018 silverado 1500 rally edition I have replaced the switch in the dashboard the trailer brake control module ,7pin connector at rear bumper and still no fix Called GM MOTORS IN Canada as this is where I live to see if there is a recall was told no how many hundreds of dollars time spent diagnosing and still getting service trailer brake system each and every day .I feel for all of you something needs to happen for the amount of money we have thrown into the hands of these people who back the GM name

    Reply
  27. My local dealer charged me 150 bucks to diagnose the problem. Then told me it was going to cost 600 to replace a module because of severe rust. It’s a 2019 that I oil bath before every winter. Not any rust at all under there. Apparently they think I’m stupid and didn’t grow up racing and wrenching on everything yall can imagine. Lies by scam artists.

    Reply
    1. Are they telling you that it’s the auxiliary body control module? Located near the trailer brake control module?please let me know

      Reply
  28. I’ll find out tuesday. My brother was shown, by a GM mechanic, what it was on his truck. His was actually just some corrosion in a unit above his spare tire. And noted what a horrible design it is. Especially since we live up north where vehicles get blasted with road salt.

    Reply
  29. Thank you Eric Marvin that would be greatly appreciated .

    Reply
  30. Going on 18 months of this Service Trailer Brake issue- had the 7-pin on truck (2020 Silverado 1500) replaced.. no luck. I’ve filed multiple complaints with GM but am getting no where. Have taken it to 2 different dealerships but neither has a plan other than to charge me to keep looking. GM has several notices out about this exact issue but they won’t/can’t figure out how to stop the problem!

    Reply
  31. All my research of people with the same issue led me to the same conclusion. One video explained the same problem I had. Trailer brakes worked fine at a low gain setting at first until it eventually would only work them at the highest setting. Then the issue at hand happened. Turned out to be the module, above the spare took a dump. LOL! For my 2019 silverado 2500 I found the part on amazon. And it is a GM part. #23337305. $140 bucks or so. It will take a week to get but that’s ok. Thats what the dealers mechanic told me what I already was sure what the problem was for the same amount. Then they told me it was going to cost and additional $600 to replace it because my truck is very rusty. BS! The only rust on my truck is the usual cast parts. I oil bath the underside every fall. Ill keep yall updated if this is for sure the issue.

    Reply
  32. This isn’t a new problem. My 2007 Silverado 2500 LTZ has had service trailer brake system warning for the last 4 years. At first it would come with damp weather and continued to get worse until I now get the warning every time I start my truck. You would think that GM would be able to have a fix for them all by now.

    Reply

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