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2014 GMC Sierra 3500 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2014 GMC Sierra 3500 carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering equipment and auxillary tank. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Inadequate low-beam headlight illumination.” GMC trucks and SUVs use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — the same algorithm as Chevrolet. Because GMC's lineup is exclusively trucks and SUVs, severe-service intervals apply to most owners (towing, hauling, off-roading). The schedule below surfaces the items most relevant to GMC's truck-focused buyer.

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3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

EQUIPMENT

Campaign #18V267000 · Apr 26, 2018

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK

Campaign #17V664000 · Oct 19, 2017

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 trucks equipped with dual fuel tanks. The low fuel level sensor for the front tank may stick causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.

Risk: If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear tank fuel pump or update the fuel-level sensor software, as well as inspect the front tank, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service for Chevrolet 1-800-222-1020 or for GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17399.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #21V054000 · May 2, 2021

Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 GMC Sierra 3500.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021

    From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 200…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Inadequate low-beam headlight illumination

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

63 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2016-04

“HEADLIGHTS ARE INSUFFICIENT. DRIVING AT NIGHT AWAY FROM THE CITY IS DANGEROUS. BRIGHTER AND WIDER LIGHT PATTERNS ARE NEEDED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10682667
“HEADLAMPS DO NOT ADEQUATELY LIGHT UP ROAD. VERY UNSAFE. DEALER WON'T HELP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10705514
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM AND PROVIDED POOR VISIBILITY. THE FAILURE WAS WORSE IN RAINY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LIGHTS LACKED VOLUME; HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10788916

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

High-speed vibration in steering wheel and seat

SUSPENSION

6 NHTSA complaints · 2013-12 → 2015-11

“I HAVE A 2014 GMC SIERRA 1500 CREW CAB. THE VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION ABOVE 40 MPH SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN JULY 2013. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 TIMES, OF 4 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE THEY HAVE REPLACE 5 TIRES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10555966
“THE CENTER CONSOLE WITH SHAKE EXCESSIVELY IF GOING 70-80 MPH. IT WILL ALSO SHAKE BAD GOING DOWN A MAIN ROAD I DRIVE ON DAILY DOING 45-55 MPH. THE TRUCK HAS HAD THE TIRES REBALANCED TWICE NOW WITH NO SOLUTION FOUND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10703208
“REGARDING 2014 GMC SIERRA 6 CYLINDER FULL SIZE PICKUP. VEHICLE VIBRATES AS IF RUNNING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS AT APX 1500 RPM. LOCAL GM SERVICE CENTER AND GM CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE STATED ABOVE IS NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10787566

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission control module failure and hesitation

POWER TRAIN

8 NHTSA complaints · 2014-01 → 2022-11

“Transmission Control Module TCM failed while driving down the freeway I84 in Boise Idaho. AC Delco part number 24256861. This caused the truck to go into limp mode when at highway speed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11495337
“DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD APROX 45- 50 MPH TRANSMISSION KICKED INTO NEUTRAL CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN SUDDENLY ,ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED DUE TO SUDDEN SLOW DOWN . NO WHERE TO PULL OVER , AFTER LETTING OFF THE GAS KICKED INTO GEAR AND GOT IT HOME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10667806
“2014 GMC SIERRA 1500 ROLLS BACKWARDS WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND THE TRANSMISSION IS IN PARK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10559472

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering lock-up during low-speed turns

STEERING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2024-10

“POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES IMMEDIATELY LESS EFFECTIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10898735
“The contact owns a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while exiting his garage and making a right turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11536524
“The contact owns a 2014 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while making a right turn into the driveway, the steering wheel had become stiff. No warning light had illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11620327

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag deployment failure or unintended deployment

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-01 → 2023-01

“WHILE SITTING PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE CAR IN PARK AND THE ENGINE IDLING, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS ON MY 2014 GMC SIERRA DEPLOYED FOR NO IDENTIFIABLE REASON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10735304
“I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BEHIND 2 OTHER VEHICLES. A VEHICLE FROM BEHIND STRUCK ME AT APPX 40 MPH AND RAMMED ME INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAB OF MY TRUCK FILLED WITH A WHITE. "SMOKE". I WAS TOLD BY BOTH FIREMEN AND WRECKER DRIVER AIRBAGS HAD ACTIVATED BUT NOT DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10561907
“The contact owned a 2014 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. No injuries were sustained”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11504615

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment and fuel system fire

ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2018-02

“THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR OVER THREE HOURS AT WHICH TIME IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CONSUMED BY FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10574059
“ON 12/12/14, MY HUSBAND CAME HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 2:00 PM AND APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR THE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE AND FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE TRUCK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10681745
“GOT A RECALL ON DECEMBER 15, 2017 ABOUT THE SECOND GAS TANK ISSUE. ADVISED NOT TO FILL THE SECOND TANK BECAUSE IT CAUSE THE FRONT TANK TO EXPAND, RUB THE DRIVE SHAFT, AND CAUSE A LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11071586

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when OLS reaches 0% or every 12 months. dexos1-approved synthetic required on Sierra 1500 5.3L/6.2L; dexos2 specified on Duramax diesel.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Sierra and Yukon owners running 4x4 should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Towing accelerates pad wear by 30-50%; check more often if towing regularly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

DOT 3 brake fluid: test annually, replace when moisture exceeds 3% or fluid is darker than copper.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

Long-life cellulose filter rated 45,000 miles. Trucks driven on unpaved roads or construction sites should inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (towing 5,000+ lbs regularly, heavy stop-and-go): every 45,000 miles. Normal: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI for 6L80/6L90, Mobil 1 LV ATF HP for 10L80/10L1000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace every 45,000 miles. Use GM Auto-Trak II for active 4WD; GM 9986115 for selectable 4WD.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Differential Fluid (front + rear)

Every 50,000 mi

Replace front and rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. G80 limited-slip rear axles require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on the L83/L84 5.3L and L86/L87 6.2L V8 are rated 100,000 miles. AFM/DFM cylinder deactivation can cause uneven plug wear — check at 75,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000. Duramax diesel uses ELC (red) — different chemistry, do not mix.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Sierra HD and Yukon XL owners in dusty work environments should replace at 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

129 crashes 1990–2024

How the 129 occupant deaths break down

103

driver deaths

26

passenger deaths

129

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2014 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

6

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2014 GMC Sierra 3500 reflects GMC's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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