My 1999 GMC Sierra 3500 crew cab was ordered new. I discovered later that it was fitted with a 1998 cab. The design is different and the front doors are longer and heavier resulting in premature hinge failures. I also discovered that it was not equipped with airbags because the 1998 version didn't require them even though I ordered a 1999 which does. I have a VIN on the dashboard showing it as a 1999 and one on the door showing it as a 1998. I just found out about reporting it here.

- Mountain Home, ID, USA

GMC savanna & Chevy express/Sierra van side doors (60/40's ?). during service visit for defective speedometer at grossinger GMC in Illinois, when vehicle was still in warranty, and doors were stiff, noisy and tough to open/close, dealership suggested "more lubrication". lubrication was applied regularly. GMC's customer service hotline was of no help. I've since thrown out my shoulder trying to close the door. Danger: Middle seat passengers have no way of escaping vehicle in the event of an accident/emergency. The hinges are defective. The doors no longer function. Hinges frozen in place and cracked all the way through. Per body shop (which the dealership referred me to), it is "a design defect, a flaw". $2,000 to repair. Please take note: It seems that when the city of Chicago purchased this van in great numbers and was faced w/this product failure/design defect on all of their municipal vans (police dept., fire dept., streets & sanitation, etc...) GMC provided brand new hinges w/brass bushings at no charge. Apparently, the original design (also used on my van) used steel bushings. They all were seizing up when exposed to the slightest bit of moisture (humidity, rain, car washes or snow). Consequently, GMC recognized and acknowledged the design flaw/defect and replaced all hinges on those city of Chicago vehicles w/brass (corrosion free) bushings/hinges. Since GMC recognized this defect when it came to big corporate accounts, will they do the same for john Q. consumer?

- Mt. Prospect, IL, USA