2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 most frequently report intermittent loss of electric power steering assist, often accompanied by StabiliTrak warnings and electrical flickering, typically during low-speed turns. Brake pedal complaints — particularly a hard, unresponsive pedal at low speeds — are also common, as are concerns about dim headlights that owners notice from early mileage onward. Transmission shudder and failure round out the most-reported issues, usually appearing at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Steering

   Intermittent loss of power steering and electrical shutdown

   • 459 complaints (62%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (333 state mileage)
   • 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,300 (median of 24 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Complaints describe the steering wheel becoming stiff or locking up during low-speed turns, often accompanied by StabiliTrak or 'Power Steering Assist Reduced' warnings on the instrument panel. In several complaints, the entire electrical system — including dashboard gauges, headlights, radio, and HVAC — briefly shuts down and then reboots while the vehicle is in motion. Some owners report the vehicle stalling and requiring a restart, and a few note that the failure recurs after a recall repair under campaign 17V414000 was performed. Complaints span a wide mileage range, from under 1,000 miles to over 200,000 miles, but many describe the failure first appearing between roughly 55,000 and 140,000 miles, frequently during slow turns or when using the turn signal.

   Recall 17V4140001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the recall repair for campaign 17V414000 (electric power steering) was completed, and note that some owners report the issue persisting afterward; a pre-purchase test drive including low-speed turns can help surface the symptom.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In the last 2 months my truck has lost all electric power while making a slow right turn. Voltage drops and I lose power steering. Dealership put a new battery despite there being an active recall for this exact issue. However, my VIN number is not included in the recall. I was able to video it happening. It happens when the vehicle is in motion”

   NHTSA complaint #11350590, filed 2020-08, 155,000 miles

   “This incident occurred 4-5 times over the last week driving between 25-40 MPH. While driving, a warning or notification pops up on the dashboard screen stating stabilitrack off or steering assist off, which stiffens the steering wheel and I can't turn the truck at all. At one point, the notifications popped up and then my A/C went off and radio went off along with my entire vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11315849, filed 2020-03, 73,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Hard brake pedal / reduced braking at low speeds

   • 145 complaints (20%)
   • median 69,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (115 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,363 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe the brake pedal becoming extremely hard to depress, particularly at low speeds, in parking lots, or when backing down inclines, with the vehicle failing to slow as expected. Several complaints reference recall 19V645000 involving a vacuum pump that may lose braking assist over time. Some owners report a dealer diagnosing a failed vacuum pump, while others say the dealer could not replicate the condition. Complaints range from around 40,000 miles to over 200,000 miles; the issue is reported across a broad range but a number of complaints cluster in the 90,000–160,000 mile range.

   Recall 19V645000Recall 19V761000

   What to check: Ask whether the vacuum pump was inspected or replaced under recall 19V645000; during a test drive, check for normal brake pedal feel at low speeds and when reversing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At low speed stopping I have no breaks, backing up down a boat ramp with a boat I have no brakes. I had the the ABS module and pump changed out and still have the same problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11320958, filed 2020-04, 96,000 miles

   “At slow speeds brake pedal is hard to push and does not stop the vehicle. Almost caused multiple accidents at intersections not being able to stop vehicle from going out into traffic. Doing research this has happened on multiple GM vehicles from 2014.”

   NHTSA complaint #11361644, filed 2020-09, 143,000 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Dim or inadequate headlights

   • 139 complaints (19%)
   • median 2,400 mi at 1.2 yrs old (106 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2025

   Owners consistently describe the factory headlights as too dim for safe nighttime driving, particularly on hilly or winding roads. Some complaints note the headlights dim further when the brakes are applied. A handful of complaints also mention a headlight becoming inoperable. Dealers generally offer replacement estimates but owners report no recall or factory remedy has been issued. Headlight dimness complaints appear at relatively low mileage — some filed with under 50,000 miles — suggesting owners notice the issue early in ownership rather than as a wear-related problem.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test the headlights on a dark road before buying; a service bulletin (11026022) addresses BCM calibrations related to bulb outage detection for some configurations, so ask whether that update has been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2014 Gmc SIERRA 1500 4wd ~75k miles. Sometimes when I roll up my windows or use my blinker and it shuts off cruise control (hwy). And sometimes when I hit my breaks my headlights will dim (hwy, city streets, parking lots). When I'm turning slowly (in parking lots) the steeling will occasionally lock up and once it lost power entirely. My battery was tested at bigo and said it was fine. I've seen this online a lot for this truck and similar years, but no one seems to have a resolution. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11384874, filed 2020-12, 70,000 miles

   “The factory installed head lights are so bad that you can barely see at night one of the worst most dangerous issues I've ever seen on a vehicle please let me know how we can remedy the situation”

   NHTSA complaint #11322696, filed 2020-04, 40,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, slipping, or failure

   • 116 complaints (16%)
   • median 63,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (86 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Complaints describe the transmission shuddering violently at highway speeds, slipping out of gear, jerking, or failing to engage, sometimes leaving the vehicle unable to move under its own power. Several owners report mechanics finding metal debris in the transmission pan or recommending a full rebuild or replacement. In some cases no warning lights appeared before the failure. Most complaints in this group appear between roughly 87,000 and 150,000 miles, though a few are reported at higher mileage, suggesting the failures tend to occur after extended use.

   What to check: Request transmission service records and ask when the fluid was last changed; during a test drive, pay attention to any shudder at highway speeds or hesitation when shifting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving down the highway one day around 65mph the vehicle began to shudder violently, reducing my speed to less than 45mph all the way home (all the while still shuddering) I took it to a well known transmission shop whitty transmissions in oak ridge nj only to have them drop the pan and find the transmission flooded with metal chips costing me a $3900+ rebuild. My transmission failed at 87,000 miles”

   NHTSA complaint #11354146, filed 2020-09, 87,000 miles

   “Radiator is leaking from the top with only 67,000 miles and transmission shifts hard and when u let off gas while driving about 55 the rpms go down to idle then start bouncing up 500rpms then back down. Then eventually will find a gear to go in”

   NHTSA complaint #11318143, filed 2020-03, 67,000 miles
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Frame and underbody corrosion

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe discovering significant rust and corrosion on the frame, subframe, and underbody components — including sway bar end links and lower suspension parts — sometimes to the point of structural concern. Some complaints note a dealer or independent mechanic identified fractured or deteriorated components due to rust. A service bulletin addresses a wax coating procedure for frame corrosion. Corrosion-related complaints appear at varying mileage but several are reported around 67,000 to 116,000 miles, with some owners noting the rust was found during unrelated service visits.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the frame and underbody in person, particularly in regions with road salt use; ask whether the frame wax coating service bulletin procedure (referenced in TSBs 11027698 and 11019845) has been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had to replace my condensing unit two different times. Once at 75,000 miles, which was covered by my extended warranty that I purchased, not by GM, and the other broke at 107,000 miles in the exact same spot, which I had to pay for. This is a joke! I have also had to replace my oil cooling lines two different times, which were also not covered under warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #11363567, filed 2020-10, 70,000 miles

   “The air conditioning system stopped working properly. Noticed a large amount of oil under the truck in the area of the air conditioning lines refrigerant lines. Suspect that the lines have ruptured and are leaking oil and refrigerant. Check to see if they were any recalls concerning this problem and noticed that numerous people have suffered the same failure of the air conditioning systems. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11373654, filed 2020-11, 85,000 miles

Buying note. The 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 has a well-documented history of intermittent electric power steering loss and brake assist concerns that have been the subject of multiple recalls, so verifying recall completion — particularly 17V414000 and 19V645000 — is a practical first step before purchase. Higher-mileage examples warrant a transmission inspection and a close look at frame corrosion, especially in northern or salt-belt markets.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.