The full-size pickup truck market is filled with vehicles that have been selling high volumes and the GMC Sierra 1500 happens to be one of them. The 2014 GMC Sierra has sold over 200,000 units and the fact that it sold large units support the fact that the truck is reliable. With a total of 720 registered complaints and a whopping 21 recalls, the truck sure has had a fair amount of time spent with the mechanics. However, GMC has made sure to keep the sierra as perfect as possible, which is why the recalls are on the higher side. With key rivals being the Ford F-150, the Ram 1500, and the Toyota Tundra, the GMC definitely has some massive responsibility up its shoulders but users have had constant issues with the electronics and the headlights on this truck.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
- Headlights – Users complained the headlights were weak and illuminated a very limited section of the road ahead. This made it difficult to drive at night and was said to be happening due to a design flaw, which the dealers could not do anything about.
- Software – The owners were unable to shift the 4-wheel drive gear as it was jammed. The diagnostics showed it to be a software issue and dealers had to update it to the correct software.
- Wiring – The car was said to shut off when slowing down with the electronics dying. The car cranked back up after a few tries and the mechanics found this to happen because of a battery cable that melted due to the exhaust system heat. There were other instances where users noticed smoke coming from the center console. The smoke soon turned into a fire and melted the entire plastic parts around it. The dealers pointed at wiring short to have caused this and needed rewiring and center console replacement.
Mechanical Problems
- Engine – The engine was said to feel weak and failed to make the usual power it normally produces. Users noticed a yellow check engine light flashing and it was stated that the ECM was facing a glitch that overrode the engine, resulting in overheating and even leading to an engine fire. Users also sometimes found fluid leaking from underneath the car and the dealers were able to find a fracture in the radiator, which drained all the fluids.
- Fuel system – Users reported getting a fuel smell in the truck and some even notice the fuel leaking underneath the car. The dealers inspected and found the leak to be coming from one of the high-pressure fuel rail pipes.
- Powertrain – The truck was said to lose power and hesitated to accelerate when the pedal was depressed. This made it difficult to overtake and also can cause a collision. The dealers had to reprogram the powertrain control module in order to fix the issue.
- Brakes – The vehicle was having a hard time when it came to stopping and the users had to exert additional force on the brake pedal. The dealers stated that the brake booster vacuum had a leak and needed to be replaced also with a new vacuum sensor.
- Steering – The steering wheel was found to lose power assist and locked itself in a direction. This was solved by replacing the power steering rack.
Safety Problems
- Seatbelt – Users claimed the pretensioners to not work as intended and failed to keep the occupants restrained in the event of sudden braking.
- Airbags – The passenger side airbag was said to deploy without any reason. This was said to happen because of a falsely triggered sensor that had to be replaced.
2014 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
8th April 2021 |
21V245000 |
Driver’s seatbelt tensioner cable may separate. |
A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver’s seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury. |
Dealers will replace the driver-side lap pretensioner. |
|
2. |
24th October 2019 |
19V761000 |
Software error may cause unintended braking. |
Unintended activation of the driveline protection system will cause the car to brake all of a sudden. This can cause the vehicle to pull towards one side. |
Dealers will reprogram the EBCM. |
|
3. |
6th September 2019 |
19V645000 |
Vacuum pump may decrease power brake assist. |
A decreased vacuum level will lead to a decreased braking assist, increasing the distance required to stop. |
Dealers reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module. |
|
4. |
26th April 2018 |
18V267000 |
Fire extinguisher may be clogged or inoperable. |
An extinguisher that does not operate would not help to cut the fire down in case of an accident. |
A replacement fire extinguisher will be provided. |
|
5. |
10th July 2017 |
17V437000 |
Frontal airbags may not deploy. |
A software glitch can cause the SDM software to activate a diagnostic test. During this period, the deployment of airbags and pretensioner will be disabled. |
The SDM software will be reflashed or replaced. |
|
6. |
29th June 2017 |
17V414000 |
Temporary loss of electric power steering. |
Loss of EPS assist can make it harder to maneuver the car. |
Dealers will update the EPS module software. |
|
7. |
8th September 2016 |
16V651000 |
Frontal airbags may not deploy. |
The SDM software can enter a diagnostics test due to a glitch. This will disengage the airbags and not let them deploy during a crash. |
The SDM software will be reflashed. Vehicles with previously deployed airbags will get a new SDM. |
|
8. |
12th April 2016 |
16V209000 |
Driver’s seatbelt tensioner cable can separate. |
This can lead to the driver not being restrained properly. |
Dealers will modify the vehicle to prevent the tensioner from being damaged. |
|
9. |
30th October 2015 |
13V544000 |
Compressed natural gas label/FMVSS 303. |
In the affected vehicles, the text of the CNG fuel-only label is smaller than the required size. |
The label will be replaced by the dealers. |
|
10. |
9th October 2015 |
15V640000 |
Ignition lock actuator may bind. |
This makes it hard to turn the key or causes the ignition to get stuck in the start position. |
The ignition lock housing will be replaced by the dealers. |
|
11. |
1st October 2014 |
14V614000 |
Contamination of the chassis electronic module. |
If the module experience an electrical shorts, the vehicle could stall abruptly. |
Dealers will replace the chassis electronic module. |
|
12. |
23rd July 2014 |
14V446000 |
Front seats may not remain anchored in the vehicle. |
Unsecured seats can increase the risk of injury during a crash. |
The seat hook bracket will be inspected and if necessary, the lower seat track will be replaced. |
|
13. |
27th June 2014 |
14V374000 |
Transfer case may shift to neutral. |
This increases the risk of the vehicle rolling away when parked, causing injury to the bystanders. |
The transfer case control module software will be reprogramed. |
|
14. |
18th June 2014 |
14V345000 |
Floor mats may not be properly secured. |
Floor mats could shift and interfere with the accelerator pedal, preventing its return to the idle position. |
The floor mats will need to be returned for reimbursement and the users will receive an insert for the manual, suggesting not to use any floor mats. |
|
15. |
6th June 2014 |
14V301000 |
Absence of warning chimes. |
Without a warning indicator, the driver may not aware of any faults in the vehicle. |
Dealers will update the radio software. |
|
16. |
14th May 2014 |
14V246000 |
Tie rod separation / Loss of steering |
Improperly tightened tie rod may separate from the steering assembly and cause a loss of steering control. |
The inner tie rod will be inspected and tightened correctly. |
|
17. |
31st March 2014 |
14V152000 |
Transmission oil cooler line / Fire. |
If the transmission line isn’t securely seated, it could leak the oil onto a hot surface, leading to a fire. |
The transmission oil cooler line will be inspected and repaired accordingly. |
|
18. |
13th January 2014 |
14V007000 |
Overheating of exhaust components may cause a fire. |
The overheated exhaust components may melt the nearby plastic parts and possibly ignite them on fire. |
The engine control module will be reprogrammed. |
|
19. |
20th December 2013 |
13E073000 |
PRNDM position indicator. |
Incorrect software may cause the transmission indicator not to display the gear position “1” has been selected. |
The correct transmission software will be uploaded. |
|
20. |
17th October 2013 |
13V488000 |
Head restraints. |
Either of the front seatbacks may have a play, resulting in not restraining the occupant in the event of being rear-ended. |
The seatback recliner mechanism will be inspected and the necessary adjustments will be made. |
|
21. |
19th July 2013 |
13V315000 |
Passenger airbag may not fully inflate. |
Welding on the passenger airbag inflator may fracture when the airbag is deployed, allowing some gas from the inflator to vent behind the instrument panel, instead of into the airbag. |
The passenger airbag module will be replaced. |
Should you buy the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500?
Do not let the high recall numbers make you think the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 is an unreliable vehicle. The truck has addressed every single issue that the users have reported and GMC made sure to not even skip minute issues like correcting a wrong label. The only concern while getting yourself the GMC Sierra would be that there are numerous checkpoints to go through but the vehicle is one of the safest and most reliable options out there. The Sierra is not only practical but is also easy to drive as far as trucks are concerned. We recommend buying the Sierra but it is also advisable to get an external mechanic to have a good check on whether the truck has undergone all the recalls that GMC has rolled out.
