Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 3% | 24,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 3% | 23,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% | 3,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% | 0 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% | 25,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 2% | 46,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% | 200,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% | 10,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% | 96,000 miles |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% | 100,000 miles |
| 2000 | 2 | 0% | — |
| 1999 | 23 | 4% | 68,000 miles |
| 1997 | 6 | 3% | 120,000 miles |
| 1996 | 20 | 8% | 114,000 miles |
| 1995 | 24 | 9% | 137,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra. When inserting the key into the ignition, the seat moved forward and pinned the contact to the dashboard. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the motor drive software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000. Updated 04/06/16
When the ABS brakes were pressed hard the steering locked and made it difficult to control the steering wheel. The consumer contacted the manufacturer, and informed consumer that it was the characteristic of vehicle. The dealership mechanic will not repair vehicle based on information from manufacturer. The anti-lock brakes experienced extended stopping distance and caused the vehicle minor damage as the consumer attempted to avoid an accident. The dealer suggested that there was no problem. The edges of the seat were worn.
While driving front seat will automatically move forward, pinning the driver against the steering wheel. Consumer contacted the dealer. However, problem recurred.. The owners manual tells how to activate the memory setting for front seats., but it doesn't tell how to deactivate it.
1-seat adjustment 2-seat will not lock in position-slides freely front to back 3-temporarily locked failed piece into usable position-cannot adjust to any other position due to failed plastic block. Researched complaints for 99 GMC Sierra truck and found 10 existing identical failures. These are complaints-566049, 758819, 855016, 862903, 877718, 10020665, 10022698, 10066125, 10074822. I am sure there will be additional complaints under "mirror" vehicles such as Chevrolet and cadilac and other years. I have identified the piece as a plastic block approximately 1 inch wide by 2.5 inches long with a lever, spring and pin assembly. The "u" portion of this block fails causing the seat to slide freely creating a severe safety issue. This is clearly an unsafe and poor design. …
Son was driving 99 GMC Sierra truck on I-20 in arlington, tx Monday, May 26th when he braked to slow and the front driver seat suddenly lurched forward throwing him into the steering wheel causing him to lose control of the truck. He regained control of the vehicle but was almost rear ended by vehicle. Son and fiancee were unhurt and no damage was done. When they were able to pull over and investigate, the front driver seat would not lock in place. It would move forward and backward without locking into place. Son had to brace his foot against the dash to hold seat in place in able to drive the vehicle home. Serious injury could have been the result if control of the vehicle had been lost. Feel this is a manufacturers defect and serious injury could result if this happened to others or myself since I drive the same identical vehicle.
While driving the frame that holds the driver's side seat came loose and broke on the left side. This occurred when consumer was reclining in seat. This occurred because of the brittle frame was being used.
While backing the vehicle the seat cushion frame fractured at the left forward attach point. This caused the seat to rock and possibly could cause remaining three fasteners to become overloaded and fail. Failure of the primary structural seat attachment could cause serious injury during an accident.
The driver side seat back collapsed backwards while vehicle was in motion. The driver grabbed steering wheel to avoid falling backwards and crashed into a gravel pit as a result. The knobs that control the seat have been frozen and inoperable for three years. The driver's seat wouldn't latch and slid back several times while the vehicle was being driven.
Related recalls (2)
Seats
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014.
Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles manufactured August 1, 2013, through September 10, 2013, and equipped with manual reclining seatbacks. In the affected vehicles, either of the front seatbacks may have play.
Remedy: GM has notified owners. Dealers will inspect the seatback recliner mechanisms and make adjustments, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2013.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Sierra years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (24), 1999 (23), 1996 (20) and 1997 (6) model years. Seat complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra seat problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 14V-446 (seats, Jul 23, 2014); 13V-488 (head restraint, Oct 17, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Sierra seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles; 32% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › recliner (19 mentions), followed by the front assembly › power adjust (8).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.