Lemberg Law is investigating complaints that the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 has an issue with the radio randomly spiking to maximum volume. Owners are complaining that the radio suddenly ramps up to full volume while driving. Most say it’s a recurring problem that scares them every time it happens.
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Are There Radio/Audio Volume Problems with the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500?
Complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as well as conversations in the GM-TRUCKS forum confirm that there are problems with some 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 radios. And it isn’t a new problem.
There hasn’t been a full redesign of the Sierra 1500 since 2019 when GMC acknowledged that there was an issue with radios in several Chevrolet and GMC vehicles. So, it stands to reason that problems experienced by 2019-2023 owners may be the same.
The company has released several service bulletins aimed at overcoming this problem in some previous models. But it has not admitted there is a radio volume issue with the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500.
2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Complaint Summary
Complaint Category
Number of Complaints
Electrical System
15
15
Engine
12
12
Structure:body
12
12
Unknown Or Other
12
12
Service Brakes
6
6
Exterior Lighting
4
4
Power Train
4
4
Steering
4
4
Fuel/propulsion System
3
3
Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
3
3
What Radio Volume Problems Are Sierra 1500 Owners Experiencing?
A complaint on the NHTSA website dated July 2023 states that the “Bose radio randomly goes to maximum volume and you can’t turn it off. This has happened twice and nearly caused wrecks each time trying to get out of traffic to turn the vehicle off.
In May 2023, the owner of a refreshed 2022 model with only 300 miles on the clock had the same experience. “Today while driving to work and listening to XM-radio the volume spiked to max and would not respond to controls to lower volume or turn off. I was able to lower by switching to a different output. It was very distracting and potentially dangerous since the Bose speakers are very loud.”
Although the forum conversation also involves owners of the refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, it tells the story explicitly and will help 2023 owners identify the problem. Most, but not all, say they have Bose systems.
“Driving home tonight my radio suddenly went 100% volume in my refresh 22 Sierra. Completely out of the blue. It even showed on the screen the volume shooting up to 100%.”
“Yes, (it) happened to me yesterday sitting in a drive thru. Volume went full blast. Had to pause the Bluetooth from (my) phone to get it to stop. Turned the knob and pushed the steering wheel buttons, it would go down, but go back up quicker than I could get it to go down.”
“Wow… happened to me for the 1st time yesterday on my 2022 refresh. This is a bad issue in so many ways. If it happens again, I’m trading the truck.”
Bose System Option
Many GMC vehicles and models offer a premium Bose system option. The actual configuration varies. The Sierra 1500 and Sierra Denali system has 7 high-performance speakers and a Richbass woofer. The Sierra AT4X and Denali Ultimate system has 12 speakers and include Centerpoint and AudioPilot technologies.
The Sierra 1500 sound system, says Bose, “has been designed specifically for the unique cabin acoustics of this vehicle. It reflects our obsession with bringing the power of sound to you.”
It’s a pity that so many Sierra 1500 owners are being overpowered by the sound.
Feedback from GMC
On May 12, 2019 service bulletin PIT5722 was issued for several GMC and Chevrolet models, including the GMC Sierra. It warns that “The radio volume may ramp up to maximum without input to the volume controls.” It states that it affects vehicles that are equipped with IOR radio RPO. It also maintains that the volume “can be turned down.” The cause may be “a software anomaly,” but there is no suggested solution.
“Engineering is analyzing the issue. Please do not replace any parts for this concern.”
GMC issued an update, bulletin no. 20-NA-097 in October 2020. While the initial bulletin was only relevant to vehicles in North America, this one is global. It applies to vehicles with infotainment systems (IOR) and restates that it might be due to a software anomaly. Dealers are instructed to reprogram the A11 radio according to a specified service procedure.
A much more recent bulletin, 22-NA-127, was issued in February 2023. It is filed on the NHTSA website under Equipment and Backover Prevention. This doesn’t refer to the radio volume issue specifically but rather to issues with software updates needed to reprogram radios. A wider range of GMC vehicles is included, adding Buick and Cadillac to the list. Models affected are 2021, 2022, and 2023. But only 2022 Sierra 1500s are included.
What Should You Do if Your Sierra Has Audio Volume Issues?
If your 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 has radio volume issues you are welcome to contact us for a free case evaluation. Fill out a contact form or call our Helpline. Then we can evaluate your case to see if you qualify. It’s not going to cost you anything because the law says GMC must pay the legal bills for all lemon law cases.
Any information you are able to supply will be welcomed.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
