While driving down the highway the top part of the front of the grill flew off bounced over top of my vehicle and landed on the ground in the highway where the car behind me then ran it over and it blew into the median. I notified my local GMC dealer who said there is no active recall. Filed a complaint with GMC as this is a known issue and has already been recalled on the 2022 model. They…
2023 GMC Sierra body problems
moderate 52 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
52
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
What stands out
Owners have filed 52 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.
Among the 20 model years of GMC Sierra in our records for body problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Front grille deflectors and upper trim molding are detaching at highway speeds—typically between 60 and 80 mph—and becoming projectiles. The plastic clip fasteners that secure these parts fail, sending 2–6 foot sections flying back over the cab or into windshields. Owners report cracks and structural damage to their glass, plus damage to hoods and roofs from impact. The detached parts then hazard trailing traffic; several narratives describe vehicles swerving to avoid them. Dealers tell owners the fasteners are "flimsy plastic" that dry-rot over time, and the parts are non-serviceable (requiring full grille replacement). While a 2022 model recall (NHTSA N242490120) covers the same failure, most 2023 1500 VINs are excluded from that recall's scope.
Tailgates open unintentionally—some owners report this happening eight or more times—with no warning light or audible alert. The electronic release switch fails, often after water contamination. Owners discover the tailgate down only when they find cargo missing on the highway or after noticing their vehicle stranded with an open bed. Some tailgates open while the truck is parked; others deploy during highway driving, damaging the gate itself or allowing tools and equipment to spill onto the road. A 2500/3500 recall exists for this electrical fault, but 1500 Denali owners say their VINs aren't included despite identical symptoms.
Same GMC Sierra body reports on nearby years: 2022 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Front Grille Deflector/Bezel Detachment
Upper grille trim, deflector, or molding piece detaches and becomes airborne while driving at highway speeds. Owners report the plastic clip fasteners breaking or failing, allowing the part to separate. The detached piece frequently strikes the windshield and creates a hazard for trailing traffic.
When: Highway/interstate driving, speeds 60–80 mph; mileage ranges from 43,000 to 70,000 reported
Symptoms owners cite: Upper grille piece flies off vehicle; Windshield struck and cracked; Plastic clips broken or insufficient; Part becomes airborne hazard to traffic; No warning before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers report part on backorder; described as non-serviceable by some owners (requires full grille replacement); GM offers courtesy credit in some cases rather than warranty repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign N242490120 issued for 2022 model year; 2023 model year owners report VINs not covered by this recall despite identical failure mode; some owners reference recall N242490120 or manufacturer recall N242490120 as applying to earlier models only
Tailgate Opening Unintentionally
Electronically controlled tailgate opens without driver input while vehicle is parked or in motion. Owners report the electronic switch becomes contaminated with water, causing unintended release. No warning light or audible alert informs the driver the tailgate has opened, creating hazard of cargo loss and potential damage to the tailgate or surrounding vehicles.
When: Within first few months of ownership to later in vehicle life; occurs both while parked and during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate opens with no button press or FOB activation; No warning light or dashboard alert; Tailgate opens while driving at highway speeds; Cargo loss or damage to tailgate from impact; Water contamination in electronic release switch
Repairs/costs cited: Investigation process can take 30 days; some owners report damage requiring tailgate repainting or replacement; cargo loss (tools, gas cans, chainsaw, etc.)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM recall exists for tailgate switch contamination but reported by owners to apply primarily to 2500/3500 series or vehicles built at specific plants; 1500 Denali owners report VINs not included in recall scope despite same malfunction
Synthesized from 52 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Upper grill trim panel broke off while on highway and went flying over the truck while at highway speeds. Same issue as existing recall for the 2022 model.
The grille deflector suddenly detached from the truck and flew off into traffic. It narrowly missed the vehicle behind me and could have caused a serious accident or injury. There was no prior warning or impact that would explain the failure.
Tailgate opens by itself, a know issue by GM and Sierra drivers. Mine was damaged by opening and banging against my travel trailer. I have been talking with GM about this since September. Today a different department told me they require up to 30 days to investigate and if I pay for the repairs myself they will cancel the investigation. Objects flying out of my pickup bed could damage my…
Had body trouble with your 2023 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 2023 GMC Sierra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 52 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 52 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 58,750 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/2023/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.