217 of the
11,357 complaints filed about the GMC Sierra 1500
are about the suspension —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2014.
Several months ago while having my truck serviced, I asked the repair shop to inspect the ball joints on the passenger side because they would make a popping noise when turning the wheel. The shop inspected them and said that was a normal sound due tot he factory lift. Recently I was driving home and about to turn into my lane when the front passenger wheel assembly collapsed under the truck due to the a upper ball joint failure separating the brake line and loss of steering. At the time, I was only going about 25mph and the truck slid to a stop on its own. The truck has 65,000 miles on it and if this had happen at highway speeds personal injury to myself and others would have been likely. The repair cost were $7,500. Fortunately I purchased an extended warranty which covered all but $1,700 of the repair.
NHTSA complaint #11758525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The truck when put in parking it still roll forward a little bit. Back up camera can’t not see during night time. Dealership stated they will not solve that problem and tell us to do manually by turn around look back. The suspension really bouncy but the tech stated that is normal. Spoke to other 3rd party tech they said that not normal at all.
NHTSA complaint #11758448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle: 2021 GMC Sierra SLT | VIN: [XXX] Dealership: Carl Black GMC Roswell, GA (11225 Alpharetta Hwy, 30076) | Invoice #[XXX] | Service Date: [XXX] Paragraph 1 – Suspension Hazard: Dealership diagnosed a worn left upper ball joint (popping sound on left turns) and installed Rough Country aftermarket upper control arms on my stock-height Sierra SLT. These arms are designed for lifted suspension and alter factory caster/camber geometry, placing extreme stress on ball joints. This can cause sudden ball joint separation, wheel collapse, and total loss of steering control at speed. The dealership admitted on the invoice they "could not find branding" on original parts and chose non-OEM lift components without my consent or any safety disclosure. Paragraph 2 – Brake Failure & No Safety Warning: The same service included a full front/rear brake job (pads + resurfaced rotors) using their certified technicians and parts. After pickup, the brakes failed to operate properly. When I returned, the service manager refused to correct their own workmanship and instead quoted $1,900 to repair the very brakes they just serviced. Most critically, at vehicle pickup they issued no written or verbal safety warning—no "do not drive" instruction—despite the brakes being knowingly compromised, endangering me and the public. Paragraph 3 – Requested Action: The service manager was unprofessional, condescending, and refused accountability. I request an immediate NHTSA investigation into Carl Black GMC's unauthorized use of lift-kit suspension parts on stock vehicles, failure to warranty their own brake service, and reckless omission of safety warnings at delivery. This dealership pattern poses an imminent public risk. Please escalate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11752674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My truck transmission beed jerking off and on for over a year. One time it lose power when i was driving and could have caused an accident. I took it to the dealership and they said i new a new transmission for $12000. Something just doesn’t seem right about this! I brought a brand new truck thats unsafe and its no recall for my model but other models with the same issue had a recall. I would just like some answers. I feel like i brought a lemon. Thanks for listening.
NHTSA complaint #11750977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In early June 2026 I discovered a sheared pin on the front control arm of my 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X (VIN [XXX]), sold to me new by Parks GMC, Kernersville NC, with a dealer-installed Performance Package modifying the factory suspension. I delivered the truck to Parks GMC for warranty repair. The dealer represented it as a 1-2 day job. The truck was out of service approximately 2 weeks. The dealer sub-contracted the work to a third-party shop (CCV). At pickup, the dealer provided written documentation stating the repair was NOT PERFORMED. Neither the dealer nor I has been able to obtain any documentation from CCV describing what, if anything, was actually done to the vehicle. THREE UNRESOLVED SAFETY CONDITIONS: SHEARED FRONT CONTROL ARM PIN — original failure, status of repair unknown and undocumented. TIRE-TO-BODYWORK CONTACT — front tires intermittently rub the inside of the wheel wells during normal driving and steering, causing visible damage to the plastic mud guards. Tire-to-bodywork contact creates risk of sidewall failure, sudden air loss, and loss of vehicle control. FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION CREAK — loud, persistent creak from the front right suspension during low-speed driving and steering inputs. Present at service drop-off, never addressed. Consistent with a worn, loose, or improperly installed suspension component. I escalated to Parks GMC management and GMC Customer Assistance. Parks has not provided a written repair plan, no decision-maker has contacted me, and the only response has been "looking into it." GMC Customer Assistance declined to assign a District Service Manager. I am filing to document these suspension and tire safety conditions in the federal database against this VIN and to request NHTSA evaluation of whether further action is warranted. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11746601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
They should be responsible for repairs or replacement of the cheap made frames that rust away so fast so u ain’t gotta worry about your truck fallling apart going down the rd and the lower control arms made of cast that rust from inside out and you don’t know until breaks while driving along with camber adjustments where they can throw alignment out with a single bump. Mostly the frame replacement is major always having to plate frame or check to make sure it will be able travel long trips or haul stuff in bed or a trailer with breaking or falling off truck causing wreck frame repair is major and time consuming if you don’t have proper stuff and definitely expensive and lower control arms that’ll make a wheel come real fast and it’s time consuming and expensive too but very dangerous and breaks and causes damage right then and there at high or low speed on highways or interstates
NHTSA complaint #11739589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The transmission has always been rough. It has now gone out at 75,000 miles. This transmission issue really seemed to get worse about 50,000 miles. But when I called the dealer, they said they were backed up and couldn't get to it for 9-12 weeks (Covid excuses at that point). Then, it really had an issue going down a large grade into [XXX] . But the issues seemed fairly intermittent. I had an independent shop who said it was hard to tell if it was intermittent. They didn't find metal shavings at the time. ADDITIONALLY, it has also always been a little rough driving. A mechanic looking at it today told me there are no sway bar links at all. This truck has not been modified. This had to have come off the line faulty. Among all the other things. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11738210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while her son was driving 55 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. The driver attempted to use the parking brake to slow the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to slow down. The message “Braking System Failure” was displayed. The driver pulled over to the side of the road, and the passenger’s side front wheel detached and started leaning to the right before the vehicle came to a stop. The driver exited to inspect the vehicle and became aware that the front passenger’s side wheel was lying on the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was then towed to another dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the passenger’s side upper and lower control arms, ball joints, rack and pinion, brake rotor and pads, hub, outer tie rod, brake line, speed wheel sensor, wheel and tire, and suspension parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.
NHTSA complaint #11733285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Truck started to make loud clunking noise when driving taken it to two shops and wrong parts were installed as stated below. Bought from a used car dealership and they sold it as is now with the wrong parts.
NHTSA complaint #11726316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Transmission Shuttering which was confirmed from from GMC dealership , but refused to do any repairs after confirmation or diagnostic and test driving. Demanded a 220$ fee be paid before releasing my vehicle back. Also gave GMC Bulliten # 25-NA-148 which states the same issues I'm currently having.
NHTSA complaint #11722823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2020 GMC Sierra Denali diesel with approximately 90,000 miles experienced two separate front suspension failures within a short period of time. The driver side tie rod and wheel hub failed first and required repair. Shortly after, the passenger side front suspension failed in a similar way and the vehicle had to be towed. These failures caused the front wheels to become unstable and created a serious safety concern while driving. Suspension components such as tie rods and hubs should not fail at this mileage under normal driving conditions.
NHTSA complaint #11722311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. Electronic power steering modular issue. My 2018 GMC SEIRRA 1500 CREW CAB JUST LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THEN WHEN I PARK IT. Assist notifications come on, ABS notices, BRAKE light stays on, trailer/tow notifications, trailer assist, parking brake, etc SUDDENLY A LOUD thump & feels like the whole truck just drops like 5” inches, settling. I cannot afford an inspection (ID theft in 2025, compromised all accts & all credit cards) BUT. It IS available as long as cost is covered by YOU !! 2. Lucky it happened in a grocery store parking lot. However not expecting power steering to go out, almost hit a pedestrian. 3. No it has not Ben inspected yet I can’t afford the bill 4. No it has not been reported what for I didn’t hit anybody and the cops in this area they could give her rats ass they don’t make a report the question you like you’re like a criminal. 5. No warnings or anything until it happened that day leaving the grocery store. There is absolutely no notification it was gonna happen. It ran fine when I parked it to grocery shop Come back out & I could barely back out to leave. I can lift up my had fatboy if needed so I’m sure turning a steering wheel…. lol Thnx a lot If I could figure out what part needs to be changed out or you could cover the parts needed. I do work in cars or have in the past, I don’t like the new ones, but this seems simple enough if I knew exactly what part I needed to pull out change out or I see that there’s recalls on previous vehicles and GMC after2020- 24 but I don’t see 2018 didn’t happen so I like to say whoever created that electronic steering can take that module along with the harness and they know exactly where they can put it don’t they I’m just saying as a used to be not sure now a GMC supporter, but I’m starting to think twice now if I
NHTSA complaint #11721830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving 13-15mph down the road the front right upper control arm ball bearing sheared off causing the tire to lean in rubbing the wheel well, forcing my truck to veer to the left across the other lane of traffic. Luckily there wasn't any car next to me.
NHTSA complaint #11718386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am writing to formally express my dissatisfaction regarding a significant safety and reliability issue with my 2020 GMC Denali. Specifically, the vehicle is experiencing premature wear and imminent failure of the front ball joints. I expect the suspension components of a premium Denali-trim vehicle to last significantly longer than the 37,061 miles currently on my odometer. Industry standards typically place the lifespan of these components between 70,000 and 150,000 miles. Technical Details of the Failure: The vehicle is currently exhibiting the following symptoms of accelerated ball joint degradation: •Excessive Vertical and Lateral Play: Inspection reveals play in the right lower ball joint that exceeds the manufacturer’s maximum allowable wear specifications. The left lower Ball Joint is starting to have a small amount of play, according to the technician
NHTSA complaint #11717405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Failure of frame on left side of vehicle between frame rail and fuel tank. For a approx 10 year old vehicle that is garaged and does not drive in inclement weather this SHOULD NOT be happening.
NHTSA complaint #11706633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle drove over a slight bump in the road. The contact stated that the vehicle bounced, and then there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact recently had work completed on the exhaust system. The contact took the vehicle back to the independent mechanic who had performed the exhaust repair. The mechanic raised the vehicle on the lift and became aware that the rear passenger’s and driver's side cross members, supports for the shock absorbers, and the rear sub frame had extensive corrosion. The contact was advised by the mechanic that the banging sound was coming from the shock absorbers striking the bed of the truck while driving over the bump in the roadway. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,569.
NHTSA complaint #11690613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle rolled over a bump in the highway, and the message to "Slow Down" was displayed on the instrument cluster. The contact heard an abnormal metal-on-metal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the supports for the differential and the rear axles had been improperly attached and had become loose. The contact had asked the dealer if the repair could be covered under warranty, and was advised that the repairs were not covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #11690577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In November 2023, my lifters collapsed and I had multiple bent pushrods on my vehicle due to the active fuel management system, leading me to become stalled in my vehicle on the middle of the road with no way of getting off the roadway safely. I have had multiple issues with this vehicle, and know many other who have as well. I had been compliant with all routine and preventative maintenance to this point, and I know that this will lead to injuries or fatalities due to these issues that GM is aware of, yet will not do anything to rectify the situation.
NHTSA complaint #11682028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gear slipping since I’ve had the truck. Replaced parts of motor, new transmission installed and still gear slipping entering the second gear. A big jolt happens every time I accelerate and when I slow down about the 10 mph mark it jolts again. Spent well over $10,000 on major truck repairs. I just don’t understand how this truck has 0 recalls. My truck is similar to all of the v8 Sierras of that year and I strongly feel it should have been recalled due to the gears slipping and not enough power.
NHTSA complaint #11677376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.