2014–2018 GMC Sierra 1500: what to inspect before you bid at auction

Before you bid: what to have checked

Issues documented for this generation. They are patterns for the model, not findings about any specific car, and many depend on the engine, mileage and service history. Confirm on the unit you are bidding on.

• Recall 19V761000 (2014-2018 Sierra 1500 with 5.3L, 3.08 rear axle and 4WD): "If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system." NHTSA recall 19V761000 consequence: "Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash." verified source
  System: Drive system · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA recall 19V761000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V761000), report received 24/10/2019, 652967 units potentially affected per NHTSA (GM N192261050)
• Recall 19V645000: "The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time." NHTSA recall 19V645000 consequence: "As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash." verified source
  System: Brakes · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA recall 19V645000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V645000), report received 06/09/2019, 3456719 units potentially affected per NHTSA (GM N192268490); see also 20V603000 for 2018 5.3L/6.2L trucks
• Owner reports of torque converter problems: hard shifting, slipping, shuddering commonly reported
  System: Transmission (major) · Documented around: 50,000-180,000
  Source: NHTSA complaints API (pulled 2026-10-23): 54 of 2467 complaints for the Sierra 1500 MY2014-2018 have complaint text matching 'torque converter' (case-insensitive keyword search; a keyword match is not a confirmed failure)
• Owner reports of Active Fuel Management (AFM) lifter failures with sudden power loss commonly reported
  System: Engine (major) · Documented around: 48,500-220,000
  Source: NHTSA complaints API (pulled 2026-10-23): 91 of 2467 complaints for the Sierra 1500 MY2014-2018 have complaint text matching 'lifter', 'AFM' (whole word) or 'active fuel' (case-insensitive keyword search; a keyword match is not a confirmed failure)
• Electric power steering: recall 17V414000 (2014) says trucks "may have a temporary loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist, especially during low-speed turning maneuvers"; owners also report steering stiffening or loss of assist outside the recall commonly reported
  System: Suspension/steering · Documented around: 76,000-171,000
  Source: NHTSA recall 17V414000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=17V414000), report received 29/06/2017, 690685 units potentially affected per NHTSA; NHTSA complaints API (pulled 2026-10-23): 152 of 2467 complaints for the Sierra 1500 MY2014-2018 have complaint text matching 'power steering' or 'EPS' (whole word) (case-insensitive keyword search; a keyword match is not a confirmed failure)
• Frame corrosion/rust reported by owners commonly reported
  System: Body integrity (noises/leaks) · Documented around: 100,000+
  Source: NHTSA complaints API (pulled 2026-10-23): 25 of 2467 complaints for the Sierra 1500 MY2014-2018 have complaint text matching frame within 60 characters of rust or corro (case-insensitive keyword search; a keyword match is not a confirmed failure)

Recon cost reference

Estimates from the sources shown, priced as of 2026-09-03. Your shop rate, parts sourcing and the car's actual condition decide the real number. These are not quotes.

NHTSA recalls: verify this VIN

A recall that applies to a model is not proof that a specific car has an open recall. Whether this VIN is affected, and whether the repair was done, is shown by NHTSA's VIN lookup. Check it before you bid.

No campaign list is stored for this generation. Look the VIN up with NHTSA.

Sources and when this was researched

Last researched: 2026-09-03. VehicleIQ research for this generation; each item above names its own source and whether it is a verified source or commonly reported. Details change, so treat this as a starting point for your inspection.