This informational bulletin provides information on removing paint stains on the under side of protective shipping film
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 GMC Sierra body problems
severe 27 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
2injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 27 body complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
GENERAL MOTORS: THE WINDOWS, FRONT AND REAR, WOULD BIND, POOR FIT, MISALIGNMENT, MAKES RATTLE OR SQUEAKING NOISES, MOVES SLOWLY AND IS INOPERATIVE. MODEL 2008-2014 VEHICLES AND TRUCKS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The most common complaint is frame rust affecting structural integrity. Owners describe undercoating peeling off 70% or more of the frame, rust penetrating deep enough that fingers can poke through subframes, and rear shock mounts snapping from corrosion. One certified mechanic determined the frame could not pass state safety inspection; another found the rear frame section "rotting away." Owners report rust appearing as early as 69,000 miles, with cases cited at 55,539 and 85,821 miles.
Several owners traced rust to a design flaw where roof tracks channel water down behind the cab into an indentation that traps moisture, causing rockers and fuel tanks to rust. GMC has issued technical service bulletins and attempted repairs (buffing and recoating in 2018, 2019), but rust has progressed despite these efforts. A dealer claimed a new bulletin allows recoating with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty going forward.
Paint bubbling and peeling—separate from frame rust—appears underneath tire wells and near the bottom of doors, owners report, with one noting the paint looks very thin.
Running boards present a slip hazard when wet or icy; multiple owners report falls and injuries. The tread pattern offers no grip and needs rotating 90 degrees.
Secondary complaints include overheating caused by weeds entering large grill openings, water leaking through the third brake light into the headliner, and water getting in under the rear seat.
Same GMC Sierra body reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Frame and subframe rust
Extensive corrosion of frame and subframe components, with undercoating peeling away over large areas and rust penetrating deeply enough to compromise structural integrity. Rust affects suspension mounting points and rear shock mounts.
When: 55,539–116,000 miles; rust observed 9 years after purchase; two previous repairs by GMC in 2018 and 2019 failed to prevent progression
Symptoms owners cite: Visible rust on frame bolts and suspension attachment points; Undercoating cracked and peeled in 70%+ of frame area; Finger can push through subframe material (penetrating corrosion); Rear shock mount snapped off while driving due to rust; Rear frame section rotting away; Rockers and fuel tank rusted due to water retention
Repairs/costs cited: GMC dealer performed frame treatment (May 2018) and frame recoating after improper descaling (Nov 2019); dealer later offered buffing and recoating under TSB with 3-year/36,000-mile warranty. Certified mechanic refused winter welding and indicated truck cannot be driven or pass inspection. New undercoating application cited by dealers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GMC issued technical service bulletin for frame recoating. GMC Customer Assistance contacted but response pending. Manufacturer advised customer frame should be diagnosed; one customer informed vehicle out of warranty at 85,821 miles due to high mileage.
Water entrapment from roof track design
Roof tracks are designed to direct water down behind the cab into an indentation that traps and holds water, creating persistent moisture that accelerates frame and rocker corrosion.
When: Apparent early in vehicle life; rust damage accelerates over time
Symptoms owners cite: Water visible running down roof tracks and pooling behind cab; Indentation designed into frame holds water indefinitely; Rockers, frame, and fuel pump rust due to trapped moisture
Repairs/costs cited: No repair offered; owner notes design flaw puts crash protection in question despite 5-star rating
Factory running board / side step slip hazard
Factory-installed running boards have a tread pattern running parallel to the vehicle length that provides no traction when wet or icy, causing feet to slide off and occupants to fall.
When: Occurs during wet or winter conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Foot immediately slips out from under user on wet or icy tread; User falls after losing footing; One owner broke a foot, another broke an ankle; Owner hit back of head on door jam during fall
Repairs/costs cited: Tread pattern needs rotation 90 degrees and enlargement for adequate grip. No repairs mentioned.
Paint bubbling and peeling
Paint bubbles and peels off exterior, particularly underneath tire wells and near the bottom of doors, despite owner maintenance efforts. Paint appears abnormally thin in affected areas.
When: Occurs relatively early; multiple online complaints documented
Symptoms owners cite: Paint bubbling and peeling on exterior surfaces; Chipping underneath tire wells; Paint failure near bottom of doors; Thin paint appearance in affected zones
Weed accumulation in oversized grill openings causing overheating
Large holes in the front grill allow weeds and debris to enter and accumulate near the radiator, causing engine overheating.
When: At low mileage (failure reported at 10 miles, i.e., immediately discoverable)
Symptoms owners cite: Weeds enter grill and accumulate at radiator; Engine overheating; Problem apparent at very low mileage
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated vehicle was designed this way; no repairs made
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no remedy offered
Water intrusion through third brake light
Water leaks through the third brake light assembly into the truck bed, staining the headliner.
When: Occurs during rain or moisture exposure
Symptoms owners cite: Water visible leaking through third brake light; Staining on headliner from water intrusion
Towing capacity downgrade post-purchase
Six days after owner took delivery (5/29/14), GM issued document 3931537 stating the GCVWR in the owner's manual was incorrect, reducing maximum trailer weight from 11,800 lbs to 11,200 lbs and GCWR from 17,500 lbs to 16,700 lbs—an 800 lb reduction. Owner had factory-ordered the vehicle specifically for the original capacities, and no other 1/2-ton truck offered the original spec.
When: Issue discovered 6/4/14, complaint filed after 14 months of unresolved dealership work (filed ~8/22/14)
Symptoms owners cite: Discrepancy between factory order spec and post-delivery correction; Vehicle undersized for owner's original towing needs
Repairs/costs cited: No resolution after dealership involvement from 8/22/14 onward
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM document 3931537 issued 6/4/14 stating manual error
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2014 GMC Sierra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2014 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 27 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 14,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/GMC/Sierra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.