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 ↗2014 GMC Sierra visibility problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
What stands out
Among the 16 model years of GMC Sierra in our records for visibility problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report AC condenser failures starting around 39,000 miles and persisting through higher mileages. The compressor leaks freon, blows hot air, and kills the defrost and defogger functions—which matters because humid or rainy weather will fog the windows and cut visibility. One owner had the condenser replaced once and watched it fail again; another found a failed AC hose. Dealers repeatedly report parts backordered with six-week waits or no ETA, leaving vehicles unrepaired for extended periods.
Windshield wipers fail unpredictably, especially in rain or after car washes. Owners press the lever and get no response, and the failure persists across all speed settings. One owner's wipers shut off and wouldn't restart after the headlight indicator flickered on. No recall covers pickups despite ongoing complaints.
One rear window shattered while the defroster ran—glass fell into the rear seat where a child sat. The dealer wouldn't cover the repair under the current warranty, only a previous repair had been covered.
A sunroof leaked water into the OnStar system and electrical panel; the dealer replaced the gasket, but the leak came back.
Same GMC Sierra visibility reports on nearby years: 2015
Failure modes owners describe
AC condenser failure and freon leak
The air conditioning condenser fails or develops leaks, causing freon loss and inability to produce cold air. Owners report the AC blows hot air instead of cold, sometimes with no warning. The defrost and defogger functions become degraded or inoperative because they rely on the AC system, creating a visibility hazard in humid or rainy conditions. One condenser required replacement after the initial repair failed; another was found to have a failed AC hose. Multiple dealers reported parts backordered with no ETA, delaying repairs for weeks.
When: 39,000 to 87,549 miles; one instance at 55,300 miles noted degraded performance only
Symptoms owners cite: AC blows hot air instead of cold; No cold air from vents; Defrost and defogger functions degraded or inoperable; Window fogging in humid or rainy conditions; Freon leaked from condenser
Repairs/costs cited: Condenser replacement required; one case involved AC hose replacement after initial condenser repair failed. Parts frequently on backorder with multi-week lead times. Repair costs not stated in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer opened case numbers for some complaints; stated they would expedite condenser parts to dealers but advised customers parts would take six weeks to become available; one case noted manufacturer would 'make a note of the failure'; another noted parts were on backorder at dealer
Windshield wiper failure
Windshield wipers stop working intermittently during driving, particularly in rain. Owners report wipers fail to respond even when the wiper lever is operated; in one case, turning the wipers off caused the headlight indicator to come off, and turning them back on resulted in no response. Another owner's wipers failed entirely after a car wash. Owners note this is a safety hazard when driving in heavy rain or on interstates with other traffic. One owner mentioned this has been an ongoing complaint on brand-new vehicles and recalls were posted only for select vehicle models, not pickups.
When: During or immediately after driving in rain; one instance after car wash; no specific mileage reported
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers stop working while driving in rain; No response from wipers despite lever actuation; Wipers fail at all speed settings; Headlight indicator illuminates when wipers fail; Complete wiper failure after car wash
Repairs/costs cited: No repair costs or specific parts identified in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes that recalls were issued only for two vehicle models, not for pickups despite ongoing complaints
Rear window thermal breakage (defroster-related)
The rear window shattered while the defroster was operating, sending glass fragments into the rear seat where a minor child was sitting. The owner's husband was driving at undisclosed speed when smoke appeared at the rear window just before failure. The contact was informed the repair had previously been performed under warranty, but a current repair would not be covered. No independent diagnosis was performed.
When: 156,800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke coming from rear window; Rear window shattered while defroster operating; Glass fragments fell into rear seat
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired. Prior repair was covered under warranty; current repair not covered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised contact to contact NHTSA to report the failure; manufacturer was not made aware
Sunroof water leak and electrical damage
Water penetrated through the sunroof and caused damage to the OnStar system, interior headlining, and electrical panel area. The dealer replaced the sunroof gasket, but the leak recurred after service. The vehicle was taken to the dealer multiple times for the same failure.
When: 87,549 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Water penetrating through sunroof; OnStar system damaged; Interior headlining water damage; Electrical panel water penetration; Leak recurred after gasket replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Sunroof gasket replaced by dealer; failure recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2014 GMC Sierra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 44,127 and 87,549 miles, with the median around 55,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 44,127; a quarter make it past 87,549. 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 $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.