If you own a 2022 GMC Sierra with a chrome grille, it’s time to take a closer look. General Motors has issued a recall affecting over 70,000 units due to reports of the upper grille trim piece detaching while driving.
At GM-Trucks.com, we’re taking a deep dive into this recall—not just repeating the headlines but breaking down exactly what’s happening, how it started, and what it means for owners. We’ve even gone outside to check our own 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2, which was built during the same timeframe. While our truck isn’t included in the recall (yet), this issue raises concerns about the overall design and durability of GM’s front-end assembly. We wrote this article to provide as unbiased and factual information as possible for owners to understand exactly what is going on. We’ll discuss what the problem is, how GM is handling the recall, let you know how to check if your 2022 GMC is part of the recall, and show you examples of real owners having this issue.
GMC Sierra Grille Recall – What’s the Problem?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall report, the issue stems from faulty attachment points on the front upper grille deflector. This piece, which sits at the top of the grille and connects to the hood, is prone to breaking over time. If all eight attachment points fail, the entire trim piece can fly off while driving—posing a potential road hazard.
GMC has acknowledged 1,225 field reports related to this defect, with four alleged accidents connected to the issue. However, as of now, no injuries have been reported.
The recall specifically impacts:
- 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 models
- Only trucks with chrome grilles (other grille styles are unaffected)
Owners have reported hearing rattling noises before the part detaches, while others have had the grille piece unexpectedly vanish without warning. Some were left wondering if someone had stolen it while their truck was parked.
How did GM Find Out There Was A Problem?
Interestingly, General Motors first became aware of the problem in January 2024 after receiving customer complaints. However, the company initially closed its investigation, citing no defect trend at the time. It wasn’t until later in the year, when reports continued to increase, that GM reopened the investigation and identified the failure points in the grille’s design.
The grille deflector is manufactured by Minth Tennessee International, a supplier responsible for various exterior trim components. GM’s internal analysis found that the attachment points do not adequately withstand expected loads, leading to premature failure.
As of now, GM has not developed a fix for the problem. The company has issued a stop-sale order to dealerships, meaning any affected new or used trucks currently in dealer inventory cannot be sold until a repair solution is available.
Owners Have Been Sharing Photos Of The Issue
Long before GMC officially acknowledged the issue, Sierra owners were already experiencing grille failures and sharing their frustrations online. A Reddit thread dating back several months includes multiple reports of grille deflectors flying off at highway speeds, scratching windshields, and leaving owners stuck with expensive repairs. It’s worth noting that some of these owners have trucks even newer than 2022, including AT4 and Denali models.
It’s even been discussed on the GM-Trucks.com Forum, too.
Reddit user u/Icy-Reason966 described a terrifying moment on the freeway:
“Mine flew off today doing 70mph, hit my windshield and the top of my truck. Surprisingly, it put two good-size scratches in my glass and scuffed the roof of my truck. Luckily, I had no one behind me.”
u/Remarkable_Buy_8810 couldn’t believe how widespread the issue was:
“This is crazy! I came across this while Googling to find a replacement trim part for my grille. WOW! I’m not alone!!”
Some owners initially assumed the missing grille trim was stolen, only to realize later that it had detached while driving.
u/Hcotton95, who owns a Denali Ultimate, shared:
“I wasn’t quite sure what happened?? Originally thought someone really stole it in a shopping center parking lot in broad daylight? Otherwise, my truck is parked in my garage. Finally remembered I heard two ‘pops’ the day before but thought they were rocks hitting my windshield. Very upset but glad to know I’m not crazy!”
Others have had dealerships confirm the issue—but at a steep price.
u/dickstanton88 was shocked when they got their repair estimate:
“Mine is also broken. Just noticed it was sitting weird on the truck, on closer inspection I noticed all the clips are busted. Contacted the dealership, and they said a new grille is needed—$2,000 part (Canada). Why would I buy this part if it’s just going to break again?”
Some owners got lucky, with their dealerships covering the repair under warranty.
u/tw98458 shared:
“Same thing happened to me today. ‘22 with 30k miles. Going to the dealership on Monday.”
[Later update]: “Dealership covered under warranty. No issues at all!”
Meanwhile, others took matters into their own hands.
u/Admin0002 managed to find a cheap replacement, but fate had other plans:
“I was able to get the replacement piece used on eBay for like $175, and then the day I put it on, I hit a cow and obliterated the entire front end.”
The most consistent theme in these owner reports? GM didn’t offer an easy fix before the recall. Instead of selling the small trim piece separately, dealers required customers to buy an entire grille assembly, which often costs over $1,500. Some owners found aftermarket replacements but reported fitment issues, while others opted to wrap or paint cheaper versions in an attempt to match the OEM look.
One Redditor, u/TonyDabza710, had their 2023 Sierra AT4X repaired without issue:
“This is a common problem. The dealer replaced it under the warranty.”
While some dealerships covered the repair, others pushed back.
u/Difficult-Shake7036 asked for advice after joining the growing list of affected owners:
“So what was the end result? It just fell off of mine and I would like some advice??”
u/sodapoppinski gave a key recommendation to frustrated owners:
“Make sure you file it with the NHTSA. Takes about 5 min.”
It turns out, many owners did just that—and those reports likely helped push GMC toward issuing this recall.
Now that the recall is official, some owners who already paid out-of-pocket for repairs may be eligible for reimbursement. However, until GMC announces a permanent fix, many trucks on the road are still at risk of losing their grille trim.
If you own a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 with a chrome grille, it might be time to double-check those attachment points before your grille flies off on the highway.
How to Check If Your GMC Sierra Is Affected
Owners of 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 models with a chrome grille should take the following steps:
- Check for rattling or loose trim: If your grille deflector seems loose or makes a noise at highway speeds, it may be at risk of falling off.
- Inspect your grille attachments: If you see cracks in the plastic tabs securing the deflector, your truck is likely affected.
- Look up your VIN: Visit NHTSA.gov or visit the GMC website. If all else fails or is unclear for your specific vehicle, call your dealer to see if your truck is included in the recall.
If your truck is part of the recall, GM will notify owners starting in March 2025 with details on the repair once a fix is finalized.
What About Chevrolet Silverado Owners?
As GM-Trucks.com readers know, the 2022 GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado share many components, so naturally, we’re wondering:
Could this issue affect Silverado models as well?
So far, Chevrolet Silverado models have not been included in the recall, but given the shared production timelines and design similarities, we wouldn’t be surprised if this problem extends beyond GMC’s lineup.
In fact, our 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 was built in the same time frame as the recalled Sierras. While it doesn’t have a chrome grille, we went outside to check the attachment points anyway. Everything seems fine for now, but given how this recall played out—GM initially dismissing the issue before revisiting it—we’re keeping a close eye on it.
What’s Next?
At this time, GMC has not announced a permanent fix, but dealers will eventually repair affected trucks at no cost to owners.
We’re expecting a revised attachment system or reinforcement for the grille deflector, though details remain unclear. In the meantime, the stop-sale remains in effect, meaning no new or used 2022 Sierra 1500s with chrome grilles can be sold by dealers.
We’ll continue following this situation as more details emerge. If you own an affected truck and have experienced this issue, let us know on the GM-Trucks.com Forum.
And if you’re a 2022+ or newer Sierra or Silverado owner like we are…you might want to check your truck’s front grill hood trim—just in case.