RoadVitals

1996 Chevrolet Sierra Pu

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Mar 5, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 28, 2003
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Sierra Pu, most frequently naming the airbags, fuel system and seat belts categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags120.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%
  • Seat belts120.0%
  • Steering120.0%
  • Tires & wheels120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
03V159000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Apr 28, 2003
1,755,876 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
The risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 03023View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Mar 5, 2003

THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY MELTED AND BURNED THE INSIDE OF THE GAS TANK. *JB

NHTSA ID
10009937
Incident
Feb 26, 2003
Mileage
127,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 8, 2000

RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT SUCKS BACK IN AFTER IT'S LOCKED IN BUCKLE. KEEPS TIGHTENING IF A BUMP IS HIT OR A PERSON MOVES. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED IT'S FOR A CHILD RESTRAINT. CAN PULL OUT BELT, BUT IT KEEPS TIGHTENING. HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
861612
AirbagsSteering
Filed Sep 21, 1999
Crash reported

PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT ONTO THE HIGHWAY 29 IN LIBERTY HILL AND WENT OVER A OIL SPILL ABOUT A GALLON OF OIL.AFTER GOING OVER IT, THE VEHICLE LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF STEERING AND WENT TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD .THE STEERING SHOT TO THE RIGHT, AND COULN'T MOVE THE WHEEL. VEHICLE RAN INTO THE DITCH AND HIT A TREE. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. DRIVING SPEED 40 TO 45MPH EVEN ROAD.TOOK THE VEHICLE 4 TIMES TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. *AK

NHTSA ID
848207
Incident
Aug 26, 1999
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 28, 1998

TWO TIRES WENT FLAT DUE TO PUNCTURE OF THE TREAD SIDE OF TIRE (WRANGLER 265/7R16 TIRES).

NHTSA ID
534826

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

050310003

WHEELS:RIM

LOW TIRE PRESSURE, LEAKING CAST ALUMINUM WHEELS (REPAIR WITH ADHESIVE SEALANT). 2008 AND PRIOR GM PASSENGER CAR AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS (INCLUDING SATURN) AND HUMMER H2, H3 AND SAAB 9-7X WITH CAST ALUMINUM WHEELS. *NJ UPDATED 10/23/09. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Sierra Pu by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996Viewing410—
1995110034.0
1994100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.