This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 GMC Sierra suspension problems
severe Owners of the 2014 GMC Sierra have filed 23 NHTSA complaints about the suspension, typically surfacing around 47,000 miles at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Sierra | 4 |
| 2011 Sierra | 11 |
| 2013 Sierra | 10 |
| 2014 Sierra (this page) | 23 |
| 2015 Sierra | 15 |
| 2017 Sierra | 10 |
| 2018 Sierra | 5 |
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Of the 17 model years of GMC Sierra we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 23.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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.
This technical bulletin provides repair information for the re-torque of leaf spring bolts to correct a customer concern for a clunking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides repair information for the re-torque of leaf spring bolts to correct a customer concern for a clunking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
2014 GMC Sierras show up in complaints dominated by two major categories: vibration and corrosion.
Vibration is the most common complaint. Multiple owners report violent shaking at 60–85 MPH that started early in vehicle life and persists despite new tires, balancing, rotation, and alignment. The problem gets worse at higher speeds and makes the truck hard to steer. Some owners also report a mid-range vibration at around 1500 RPM that mimics rumble strips and forces them to shift to 5th gear or change speed to escape it. Dealers have attempted tire balancing multiple times without success. GM issued a service bulletin recommending vibration analysis, but dealerships often won't perform it or claim the vibration is normal operation.
Frame and suspension corrosion is the second major issue. Owners report visible rust on the frame while trucks sit on dealership lots, and the protective coating peels off with a garden hose. The rear cross member that supports the shock absorbers and gas tank has rotted and failed in some trucks, causing the vehicle to be declared unsafe by dealers. GM issued a service bulletin for recoating, but dealers acknowledge they can only touch up accessible spots and cannot guarantee a permanent fix. No replacement frame parts are available from the manufacturer.
Other suspension failures include fractured sway bar end links, cracked upper control arms, and rear clicking from U-joints that reoccurs after dealer service. One truck experienced front wheel detachment at 82,000 miles. Transmission problems—burnt fluid and hard shifting—appear in several early-ownership complaints, some requiring complete replacement.
Same GMC Sierra suspension reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2015 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Vibration at highway speeds (60-85 MPH)
Persistent vibration occurring at 60-85 MPH and above, sometimes described as violent shaking of entire cab. Multiple owners report the issue started early in vehicle life and persists despite tire rebalancing, wheel rotation, and alignment work. Occurs with different road conditions and loads. Owners report dealerships unable to diagnose or resolve despite GM service bulletins recommending vibration analysis.
When: 28,000 miles onward; many owners report issue present since purchase or early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive vibration at 60-85 MPH; Violent shaking of cab; Vibration becomes worse at higher speeds; Vibration in center console; Steering becomes hard to control at times; Vibration persists after tire rebalancing and rotation
Repairs/costs cited: Tire balancing attempted multiple times without resolution; driveshaft rotated 180 degrees; electronic vibration analysis recommended by GM but not consistently performed by dealers
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM service bulletin PI1354C recommends vibration analysis; dealerships stated vibration is normal operation; GM Corporate stated issue is normal; local mechanics attribute to cylinder deactivation and chassis rigidity
Vibration at mid-range RPM (~1500 RPM)
Vibration that mimics rumble strips at approximately 1500 RPM, requiring driver to shift to 5th gear or change speed to avoid. Common across 6-cylinder models. Owners report GM dealers acknowledge but dismiss as normal operation.
When: Reported throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration at ~1500 RPM similar to rumble strips; Occurs when driving in 6th gear overdrive; Requires speed adjustment or gear selection change to avoid
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers recommend driving in 5th gear instead of 6th or changing speed; no permanent repair offered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM dealers stated this is normal vehicle operation
Sway bar end link fracture and detachment
Sway bar end links fractured due to rust, with lower parts detaching. One link observed flapping. Occurred at 67,000 miles. Caused vehicle to veer excessively left or right, particularly during turns.
When: 67,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle veering to left or right; Excessive veering while turning; Vehicle moving up and down; Visible detachment of link components
Repairs/costs cited: New sway bar end links purchased from dealer and replaced by independent mechanic
Frame and subframe corrosion and failure
Extensive corrosion on rear cross members, shock absorber supports, and rear subframe. Cross frame member ahead of rear wheels rotted and failed, compromising suspension and gas tank support. Frame coating peeling off with garden hose pressure. GM issued service bulletin addressing frame rust but only offers touch-up coating in accessible areas. Multiple owners report rust visible on new trucks at dealership lot. Manufacturer does not stock replacement parts; entire frame replacement required.
When: Visible within months of purchase; structural failure occurred by 78,569 miles and around 8 years
Symptoms owners cite: Visible frame rust on new trucks; Extensive corrosion of cross members and subframe; Frame coating peeling or flaking off; Abnormal banging from rear when driving over bumps; Shock absorbers striking truck bed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership coating touch-up available but not guaranteed effective; body shop repair attempted for failed cross member; entire frame replacement may be required but parts not available from manufacturer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM service bulletin issued for frame recoating; dealership advised truck unsafe to work on; dealer stated frame unsafe to drive
Upper control arm fracture
Both front driver and passenger side upper control arms fractured, discovered during inspection for uneven tire treadware. Occurred at 47,000 miles.
When: 47,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Uneven tire treadware
Repairs/costs cited: Both upper control arms replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was informed of failure
Rear clicking noise and clunking from U-joints and leaf springs
Clicking noise audible when reversing, braking, or going over bumps at 5-15 MPH. Owner reports brake booster was replaced and U-joints and leaf springs were lubed and cleaned at dealer, but problem returned within 2 weeks. Dealer stated only relube and reclean is possible.
When: Early in ownership; recurred 2 weeks after service
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise when reversing; Clicking when braking; Clicking when going over bumps at low speed (5-15 MPH); Noise returns after service
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster replaced; U-joints and leaf springs lubed and cleaned; re-lube and re-clean attempted at second service
Front wheel detachment and steering failure
Front driver side tire detached from vehicle while driving at 3 MPH, causing crash into metal pole. Investigation revealed damage to rack and pinion and tie rod. No warning light illuminated and airbags did not deploy. Owner sustained shoulder injury.
When: 82,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise before detachment; Front tire separated from vehicle; No warning light; Rack and pinion damaged; Tie rod damaged
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired as of complaint date; vehicle not drivable after failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed of failure
Hard transmission shifting and burnt fluid odor
Transmission fluid burned and discolored (black and gritty) within first week of new ownership. Hard shifting in lower gears and reverse. One owner required transmission replacement after initial flushing and filter change; another owner with same symptoms reported control arm and axle failure as well.
When: Within first week to early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fluid black and gritty; Hard shifting in lower gears; Hard shifting in reverse; Burnt smell
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid flush and filter change; one owner required complete transmission replacement ($4,800); control arm with ball joint and axles also replaced ($2,000)
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2014 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 15,000 and 69,000 miles, with the median around 47,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 69,000. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.