Rear left roof is leaking into the interior of the cab. Water is / was noticed during rain and car wash. In the attached picture I have highlighted were the water is coming into the inside of the cab. Water can also be seen in the inside of the rear window and on the leather of the seats. This happens whether the vehicle is parked or driving. It was noticed at 1800 miles and its less then a month…
2019 GMC Sierra body problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 11 body complaints filed for the 2019 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Water intrusion is the dominant complaint. Multiple owners describe rear window and roof seals that leak water into the cab, with drips appearing behind the rear seat and on interior surfaces as early as 1,800 miles. Water is visible during rain and car washes, whether the truck is parked or driving. One owner expressed concern about mold growth from undetected leaks; another reported visibility loss from water in the rear window. GM has denied warranty claims in at least one case despite a TSB existing for the issue.
Beyond leaks, owners report the frame's exterior protective coating peeling and rusting at 25,000 miles. One owner noted a TSB was issued for this failure, but the vehicle's VIN was excluded from extended warranty coverage.
Mechanical and hardware failures also appear: the tailgate latch releases unexpectedly while driving, a hard tonneau cover detached at highway speed (22,000 miles), and the hood latch sensor produces false warnings every 10 minutes despite the hood being closed. Chrome trim on the front smoke package peels, described as a known defect affecting 2017 and later Sierras with no manufacturer assistance offered.
Same GMC Sierra body reports on nearby years: 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Rear window and roof seals leak water into cab
Water intrusion at rear windows and rear roof areas, dripping into the cab interior. Leaks visible during rain and car washes, occurring whether parked or driving. Water collects behind rear seat and on interior surfaces including leather seats.
When: As early as 1,800 miles; reported up to 25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steady drip of water behind rear seat, driver's side; Water visible in rear window interior; Water on leather seats; Drips during rain and car wash; Occurs while parked or driving
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has denied warranty claims; TSB exists but VIN not covered under extended warranty in one case
Frame exterior coating peels, causing rust
The protective coating on the exterior frame peels off, exposing bare metal and allowing rust formation. Reported at 25,000 miles on a 2019 model.
When: 25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Coating peeled off exterior frame; Visible rust formation on frame
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB issued for this failure, but affected VIN not included in Extended Warranty Coverage
Tailgate unlatches unexpectedly while driving
Tailgate latch releases on its own during normal driving without operator input. Owner reports tailgate was closed at start of trip but dropped during drive, damaging the tailgate when a trailer was attached.
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate unlatches without button press; Occurs while driving at highway speeds; Tailgate was closed when driving started; Tailgate damaged during detachment event
Repairs/costs cited: Tailgate damaged
Hard tri-fold bed cover detaches during driving
Hard tri-fold tonneau cover detached and flew off the vehicle while driving at approximately 60 mph. Owner reports no attachment failure explanation or repair performed.
When: Approximately 22,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Bed cover detached while driving; Cover became airborne at highway speed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware of the failure
Chrome trim peeling on front smoke package
Smoke chrome trim on the front of the vehicle peels off. Owner reports this is a known defect affecting Sierra models dating back to 2017, with no manufacturer assistance offered.
Symptoms owners cite: Peeling chrome trim on front smoke package
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM offering no assistance; known issue affecting 2017 and later models
Hood latch and security system false warnings
Dashboard warning lights indicate hood is unlocked and security system is being tampered with, even though hood is closed. Auto start is disabled and alarm sounds repeatedly every 10 minutes.
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard warning: hood unlocked; Dashboard warning: security system tampered with; Auto start disabled; Alarm sounds every 10 minutes; Hood is actually closed
Rear third brake light and window seal leaks
Water intrusion at the rear third brake light and rear window area, causing water to leak into the cab and affecting visibility.
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaking from rear third brake light area; Visibility issues; Water entering cab
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The lights on the dashboard is indicating that the hood is unlocked and the security system is being tampered with. Hood is closed and it disengage auto start and the alarm goes off every 10 minutes.
Had body trouble with your 2019 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 2019 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 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?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 12,400 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2019/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.