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It’s easy to romanticize the future of electric trucks when they promise zero emissions, instant torque, and premium tech. But sometimes reality writes a different script. That was the case for Justin Ayers, who found himself in an unexpectedly helpless situation with his GMC Sierra EV Denali after a routine Costco run. Before his incident that was described in the “GMC Sierra EV Group” on Facebook, Justin reported no issues. He said the truck was driving fine, showing no warnings or low battery alerts. But when he returned, it was as if the Denali had disappeared with no lights, no sounds, or connection. A high-end truck loaded with cutting-edge tech should be far from this kind of failure, especially when it’s relatively new.
Justin said, “Need some help. I’m stranded in my Denali. Left the car to go into Costco, came back out and the vehicle is dead. Totally unresponsive. Nothing.”
How the Sierra EV Denali Was Meant to Change the Game
The GMC Sierra EV Denali represents a major push by General Motors to redefine American luxury trucks. The Denali trim has always been a statement piece, but now it’s paired with an electric powertrain that’s supposed to offer world-class refinement. Some owners, like those in this real-world towing test of the GMC Sierra EV, have praised its smooth acceleration and confidence under load.
The engineering behind the truck is undeniably advanced. As detailed in a review exploring how GM took a classic machine and turned the 2025 Sierra EV Denali into a max-range, state-of-the-art truck, the platform was designed to blend old-school utility with high-tech precision. But what happens when all that power fails to respond?
Community Steps In With Theories and Tips
Justin’s Facebook post drew a wave of comments. Zachary Zimmerman was quick to ask what many were probably wondering: “I got to ask, what was the battery percentage before you went into Costco?” Justin replied, “84%.”
That response rules out a simple low-charge issue. So since the truck wasn’t starved for energy, it could sense a failure by something deeper. That’s when members of the community began sharing potential solutions and hard-earned wisdom from past experience.
Justin Schroeder kept the tone lighthearted, asking, “The real question is….which Costco, and what did you get?” before offering a potential fix. “Try holding down the end call button on the steering wheel for about 20 seconds, then walk away with the key for 5-10 minutes. It sounds stupid, but it actually does some kind of soft reset.”
Aviad Offer went a step further with a more advanced workaround: “You can try to disconnect the 12v battery for two minutes. Open the driver door with your physical key inside the key fob. On the left bottom side, pull the emergency manual Frunk thread. The battery is on the left side front frunk. Under the app in your phone, you can find the manual which highlights how to do it.”
For longtime EV owners, this procedure isn’t new. But to a first-time Sierra EV buyer, it might come as a shock. Many drivers assume that electric vehicles, especially flagship models like the Denali, are immune to the kinds of reliability hiccups we’ve long associated with internal combustion. But as Ron Maffei pointed out, that might be wishful thinking.
“GM has weak 12v batteries,” Ron said. “I had similar issues with my 2022 Bolt. I finally replaced my OEM battery with a better 3rd party brand and the problems went away. My Teslas never have had the 12v issue, although at one time it did plague them years ago.”
Ron’s comment highlights something many newer EV owners might not be aware of: even though these trucks have massive high-voltage batteries, they still rely on a traditional 12-volt system to power basic functions. If the 12v battery dies or fails to communicate properly with the system, the entire vehicle can appear lifeless.
Does a $100K Truck Deserve Better Reliability?
This is especially disappointing considering the hype surrounding the Sierra EV’s debut. Many reviewers, including those who checked out the 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali, considered it a real threat to the Tesla Cybertruck—offering a more traditional design with high-end features and immense capability.
Yet these kinds of incidents can erode buyer confidence. No one expects perfection, but when a truck that can cost north of $100,000 suddenly bricks itself in a parking lot, it leaves a lasting impression, especially when brand perception is still forming in the EV space, not to mention more specifically GM’s EV space.
GM’s Push Forward, But with Growing Pains
GM has made huge strides to modernize its Sierra EV lineup. With the 2026 refresh, they beefed up the Sierra EV and cut prices in an effort to boost sales and expand appeal. And in some cases, like one owner who received their $100K Sierra EV with a door dent, the ownership experience has been riddled with early disappointments, both cosmetic and functional.
Still, it’s important to remember that EVs are complex machines with layers of new technology. This transition will have bumps along the road, and early adopters often take the brunt of those growing pains.
From my perspective, I think situations like Justin’s offer a double-edged lesson. On one hand, it’s unacceptable that a vehicle this expensive and technologically advanced can fail so suddenly without warning. But on the other hand, it reminds us that we’re still ironing out the edges of a fast-moving industry. It doesn’t excuse the issue, but it does help explain why legacy automakers are still catching up to the reliability that long-time EV makers like Tesla have worked years to fine-tune. As EVs evolve, customer feedback and transparency are going to be the most powerful tools brands have to regain and maintain trust. Let’s just hope that these EV’s won’t face some sort of similar major scrutiny that GM’s engines have recently faced, especially regarding the L87 6.2L Engines.
Key Takeaways for EV Owners:
Even top-tier electric trucks can fail unexpectedly: Luxury price tags don’t guarantee reliability, especially in newer tech platforms.
The 12v system is still the Achilles’ heel of many EVs: Learning how it works and how to reset it could save you from a bigger headache.
Community knowledge is invaluable: Tips from other owners can often solve what service manuals or dealerships don’t explain clearly.
Keep expectations realistic for early production vehicles: First model-year EVs are often more prone to glitches and refinement issues.
Your Thoughts Matter
Do you think legacy automakers are moving too fast into EVs without addressing basic reliability concerns first?
And what’s your take on the GMC Sierra EV? Can it truly hold its own in the growing electric truck market, or does it still have too many bugs to iron out before it earns that trust?
Let me know what you think in the comments section below.
Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.
Image Sources: GMC Gallery
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Source: torquenews.com
