Driving on the highway, the upper grill molding on the leading edge of the hood broke off and came up and hit the windshield and top of the cab. Upon further research online, this seems to be a pretty common occurrence on sierras with the at4 trim package. I was told by the dealership that extended warranty does not cover this and I would have to order an entire new grille, over $1000
2022 GMC Sierra body problems
moderate 82 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
82
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1crash
What stands out
Of the 20 model years of GMC Sierra we track for body problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 82.
Owners have filed 82 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report the front upper grille deflector separating from the vehicle at highway speeds (40–75 mph), typically without warning. The plastic attachment tabs break, and the trim piece becomes airborne, striking the windshield and hood before landing on the roadway. This has been reported across dozens of 2022 models, including some vehicles with low mileage. The deflector is held by eight thin plastic clips that shear off under normal driving conditions and wind pressure.
NHTSA Recall N242490120 (25V060, issued February 2025) addresses this defect. Dealers were instructed to reinforce or repair the attachment points using adhesive. However, multiple owners report the repaired deflectors failed within days or months of the recall service. One vehicle that completed the recall in March 2025 had the deflector separate again by August 2025. When subsequent failures occur, dealers and GM customer service are telling owners the failure is not covered under the original recall, and owners must pay out-of-pocket—typically $1,500+ for full grille replacement since the trim piece is not sold separately. Replacement parts are frequently on backorder.
Owners also report the multifunction tailgate opening unexpectedly while driving, over bumps, or while parked. There is no warning chime or dashboard message when the tailgate fully opens (only when partially opened), causing loss of cargo onto roadways and potential strikes to towed trailers. One owner reports this occurs on a brand-new truck with 10,000 miles. Dealership inspections often cannot reproduce the problem, and GM states there is no available repair, suggesting the sensor placement differs between 2022 and 2023 model years.
Same GMC Sierra body reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2023 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Front Upper Grille Deflector/Molding Detachment
The upper grille deflector (the trim piece above the main grille, below the hood) detaches and becomes airborne while driving, typically at highway speeds. The part flies upward, strikes the windshield and hood, then lands on the roadway. Owners report the eight plastic attachment tabs or clips are flimsy and break, allowing the deflector to separate without warning.
When: Occurs at highway speeds (40–75 mph); some cases reported with low mileage (as low as 13,100 miles); failures reported months after recall repair attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Visible looseness and movement of grille trim at highway speeds; Vibration and flexing of the plastic component while driving; Sudden detachment and airborne ejection of the deflector; Impact damage to windshield, hood, and roof; Broken or sheared plastic attachment clips; No warning lights or dashboard alerts prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Recall N242490120 (also referenced as NHTSA 25V060, issued 2025-02-06) authorizes dealers to 'reinforce or repair all attachment points' on the chrome grille deflector. However, owners and dealers report the adhesive reinforcement (temporary fix) fails within days or months. Full grille replacement cost reported at approximately $1,500–$1,571 when not covered under warranty or recall. Parts frequently on backorder with no ETA; one dealer stated repair unavailable as of report date.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign N242490120 / 25V060 issued 2025-02-06; repair description states 'reinforce or repair all attachment points.' Dealerships initially told owners repair is 'not covered' after recall completion when subsequent failures occur. GM customer service declined to cover second or post-recall failures. Some dealerships ordered full grille replacements after recall repair failed. One recall-repaired vehicle failed within one day of completion.
Tailgate Opening Unexpectedly (Multifunction/Multipro Tailgate)
The rear tailgate drops open or opens partially without driver input, either while vehicle is in motion, parked, or going over bumps. The failure occurs on the newer multifunction/multipro tailgate design introduced in the 2022 redesign. No audible or visual warning is provided to the driver when the tailgate opens fully (only when partially open).
When: Occurs while driving on highways, over speed bumps, or at intersections; some failures intermittent and wet-weather dependent; reported on vehicles under 10,000 miles to 90,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate opens or drops on its own while driving or in park; No warning chime, message, or dashboard alert when tailgate fully opens; Partial tailgate opening generates a dashboard warning, but full tailgate opening does not; Failure to remain closed over speed bumps or rough terrain; Loss of cargo (coolers, tools, paint cans, groceries) spilling onto roadway; Tailgate striking trailer jacks or hitches when parked with towed vehicle; No warning before first occurrence; may occur intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealership replaced an 'electrical switch on the tail gate' without resolving the issue. Dealer then stated 'GMC does not have a repair for this new issue.' Another owner notes a sensor placement error in 2022 models; 2023 models received corrected sensor placement and proper dash warning logic. One owner was 'reimbursed by GMC for losses' but the underlying defect remained unresolved. Multiple dealership inspections failed to detect the problem or identify root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No formal recall identified in narratives for 2022 model tailgate issue. Dealerships acknowledge same symptoms on recalled HD trucks but state no recall exists for this 1500 model year. GMC customer service involved for over one year in one case without resolution. One owner reports GMC reimbursed cargo losses but offered no permanent repair. Dealerships declined diagnosis without recall requirement.
Front and Rear External Safety Camera Failure
Front and rear external safety camera system fails to display on the dashboard, leaving the driver without rear-view camera feed and creating blind-spot hazards. Reported on a newly purchased vehicle. No diagnostic testing performed by dealer without formal recall requirement.
When: Present on new vehicle purchase; timing of failure onset not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Inoperative front external camera—no display on dashboard; Inoperative rear external camera—no display on dashboard; Loss of rear-view visibility while backing or maneuvering; No warning lights or automatic indication of system failure
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted. Dealer stated they would not perform diagnosis without formal recall or safety directive requirement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall identified for this issue as of report date. Dealership refused to diagnose or repair without formal recall action.
Subframe Rust (Cosmetic)
Subframe rusting observed at low mileage. One case reported where dealership classified the failure as cosmetic and declined to address it per Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-225.
When: Observed at approximately 7,565 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Visible rust on subframe components
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership declined repair, classifying it as cosmetic issue. Referenced Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-225.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-225 referenced; manufacturer made aware but repair declined as cosmetic issue.
Synthesized from 82 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Trim piece of chromed plastic on the front of the hood broke off and flew over the truck while traveling at 65mph. Fortunately no vehicles were close behind, but it could have damaged a following vehicle and/or caused them to swerve to avoid. This part is obviously a defective assembly. Photo available
As I was traveling down the interstate at about 70 mph the front upper grille moulding flew off and almost hit the vehicle behind me. The clips that held this on the vehicle are very weak and this is happening to many of the same vehicles. Had I hit a car behind me there could have been significant damage, and luckily there was not a motorcyclist behind me. I did not hear any rattling or have…
While driving approximately 70mph down the freeway the upper grille assembly snapped off and went airborne, it struck the passenger side of my windshield putting 2 large scratches on my windshield. It then hit the roof of the vehicle and continued over my vehicle. Upon inspection the guard is held on by extremely thin clips and all clips sheared in almost identical spots. This creates a huge…
Had body trouble with your 2022 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 2022 GMC Sierra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 82 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 82 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 28,458 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/2022/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.