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When you buy a brand-new electric truck that has barely hit the market, you expect to drive it home, park it in your driveway, and start enjoying all the new tech. Yet sometimes the road to that first drive is filled with small but unexpected detours. That is what happened to Roxanne Brooks, who recently joined the GMC Sierra EV Owners group on Facebook with a story that caught my attention. It is a reminder that even with the latest automotive technology and the promise of a better driving future, the delivery process can be filled with suspense, unanswered questions, and lessons worth sharing.
“Hi everyone! New to the group. We recently purchased a 2026 AT4 EV in Metallic Ocean, but it’s still hanging out at the dealer, needs the 3M and ceramic coat and a minor fix. On our test drive, we noticed a strange noise, almost like something rolling around in the bed, whenever we went over a speed bump. The dealer needs to sort it out before GM officially releases it to us…. In the meantime, they’ve put us in a brand-new Denali loaner (no complaints there). Just curious, has anyone else run into this issue before?”
The post reads like something every new truck buyer dreads but also quietly hopes for — not because anyone wants a problem, but because it means the dealer is actually taking the time to address the issue before handing over the keys. That is a far cry from some stories we have heard where new owners discover rattles or unchecked problems after they get home, only to spend weeks fighting for a fix. In Roxanne’s case, the dealer seems committed to getting it right from the start.
Strange Rattle Over Speed Bumps in a 2026 GMC Sierra AT4 EV
Her description of the noise is specific, “like something rolling around in the bed,” and it only happened when going over speed bumps. This is the kind of sound that can drive an owner crazy because it is not always constant, yet it makes you wonder if something inside the bed or undercarriage is loose. In today’s EV trucks, where battery packs, bed liners, and complex electronics come together, the source could be anything from a misaligned bed component to a suspension quirk.
Soon after her post, group member Chuck Kelly replied, offering his perspective as someone who also owns a 2026 GMC Sierra AT4 EV. Chuck said he had not noticed that specific noise, but he pointed out something worth considering. When the tailgate is open, it is lightweight and can bounce loudly when hitting bumps, and because EVs are heavier than their gas counterparts, bumps can feel more pronounced. This was an interesting theory, except Roxanne quickly confirmed the tailgate was not open during the test drive. That took us back to square one.
This is where owning an early-production EV truck becomes an exercise in patience. If you scroll through the history of new model launches, you will find that minor noises, trim adjustments, and calibration updates are common. The key is whether the manufacturer and dealer treat them as small annoyances or as items worth fixing before delivery. In Roxanne’s case, they are keeping the truck until they are satisfied, which should give other potential buyers a little reassurance.
Real-World Charging Problems Reported by Sierra EV Owners
But then another comment added a completely different twist. Jack Wang chimed in, and while he did not have the same noise issue, his two months of ownership have revealed other challenges. Jack described problems with charging and range estimate accuracy. He said he charged from 43 percent to 80 percent one morning, then an hour later the truck showed 87 percent. Range estimates were also inconsistent, jumping from about 195 miles at 50 percent charge to 265 miles, then back to normal. On top of that, he has never been able to exceed 178 kW charging speeds, even on 350 kW-capable chargers.
For anyone following EV development, Jack’s experience is not rare. Variability in range estimates is something many EV owners encounter, especially when the software is still learning the driver’s habits. Charging speed limitations, though, are an area where expectations and reality often clash. Advertised charging rates are based on ideal conditions, yet in the real world, charger brand, station health, temperature, and battery preconditioning can all lower the speed. In Jack’s case, he reported hitting just 83 kW at an Electrify America 350 kW charger, 178 kW at EVgo’s 350 kW charger, and 152 kW at a Tesla Version 4 Supercharger, despite its 250 kW rating. That matches a similar experience we covered in this real-world Sierra EV charging test, where actual numbers fell far short of the spec sheet.
There is an underlying truth here. The EV market loves to talk about numbers, whether it is range, towing capacity, or charging speed. But what really matters is the repeatable real-world experience. This is where tools and products that track vehicle performance over time can help an owner and their dealer diagnose whether a problem is random or systemic. For example, a simple but reliable onboard data logger can record each charging session, speed, and environmental condition. In the hands of a service technician, that history can be the difference between “we could not replicate it” and “here is exactly what happened, let us fix it.”
Why Dealer Preparation Matters for EV Trucks
What I find surprisingly pleasant about this discussion is how open Sierra EV owners are to sharing both the good and the not-so-good. In the same group, you will find posts about impressive towing capability, such as in this real-world Sierra EV towing review, alongside stories about long backroad trips delivering far more than expected range, like this 550-mile run in Maine.
Roxanne’s story also invites a bigger conversation about the role of dealers in the EV era. Traditional dealers have decades of experience with gas trucks, but EVs introduce new variables. Suspension tuning for heavy battery packs, unfamiliar electrical systems, and specialized coatings like ceramic protection are now part of the delivery process. When a dealer takes the time to fix something before delivery, it can be the difference between a happy customer and one who starts their ownership journey with regret.
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1. How to Maximize Real-World Range on the 2026 GMC Sierra AT4 EV in Cold Weather Driving
Cold weather can cut EV range dramatically, and the Sierra EV is no exception. This subtopic could guide readers through strategies like preconditioning the battery before departure, using heated seats instead of cabin heat to save energy, and planning charging stops in sheltered or heated locations. It would also be valuable to discuss how regenerative braking works differently in cold temperatures and what Sierra EV owners can do to adapt.
2. The Best Home Charging Setup for a 2026 GMC Sierra AT4 EV to Avoid Public Charging Hassles
Many Sierra EV owners like Jack Wang have found public charging to be slower than expected. A dedicated home charging setup can eliminate much of that frustration. This subtopic could walk readers through choosing the right amperage for overnight charging, how to take advantage of off-peak utility rates, and why investing in a Level 2 charger can dramatically improve ownership experience. It could also discuss garage electrical panel upgrades for heavy-duty EVs like the Sierra AT4 EV.
3. Understanding Suspension and Ride Quality Differences Between Gas-Powered GMC Sierra and 2026 Sierra AT4 EV
EV trucks like the Sierra AT4 EV have a different weight distribution because of their large battery packs, which can affect how they ride, handle, and absorb bumps compared to gas-powered models. This subtopic could explain the technical differences in suspension tuning, why some drivers notice more bounce or rattles over speed bumps, and how tire pressure and load distribution can make a surprising difference in comfort and noise levels.
Lessons for New GMC Sierra EV Buyers
In that sense, the moral here is not just about getting a truck without a rattle. It is about slowing down in a world that wants everything instantly. Whether you are a customer eager to drive your new vehicle home or a dealer balancing inventory turnover with thorough prep, patience and thoroughness can save far more frustration later. We live in a time where speed is valued over accuracy, and yet, in automotive ownership, accuracy always wins in the long run.
For new Sierra EV buyers, there are a few takeaways worth noting. First, test drives matter, even if the truck is brand new. Second, document everything, from noises to charging behavior, with clear dates and details. And third, remember that a fix before delivery is almost always better than a repair after you sign the paperwork.
So here are three takeaways for new Sierra EV buyers:
- Always take a thorough test drive, even with a brand-new vehicle.
- Document anything unusual, from noises to charging irregularities, with dates and details.
- If a dealer offers to fix something before delivery, let them – it is better than losing time later.
The EV world is evolving fast. GM has taken a classic truck design and transformed it into a state-of-the-art electric pickup, one that can even slash a fuel bill by 90 percent when paired with home solar, as seen in this owner’s story. Yet even the most advanced trucks need attentive care to meet their full potential.
So the next time you are tempted to rush the delivery of your new vehicle, consider the alternative. A few extra days at the dealer, with issues fixed and checked, may give you a smoother, quieter, and more reliable ride for years to come. That is the kind of trade-off worth making.
Now I am curious, have you ever delayed taking delivery of a new vehicle because of a noise or other issue you wanted fixed first? If you own a GMC Sierra EV, have you noticed any strange noises over bumps or charging speeds lower than expected? Share your story in the comments below, because your experience could help another owner make a better decision.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.
Image source: Roxanne Brooks from her Facebook post in the open group mentioned and referenced above.
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Source: torquenews.com
