1996 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes228.6%
- Body & structure114.3%
- Electrical114.3%
- Engine114.3%
- Fuel system114.3%
- Tires & wheels114.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GMC SIERRA 1500 EXTENDED CAB. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE OR STOP THE VEHICLE THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED, AND THE VEHICLE TOOK LONGER TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED RECALL # 05V379000 CONCERNING SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE CONTACT WILL HAVE THIS PROCEDURE COMPLETED BEFORE THE HARD COPY OF THE IVOQ ARRIVES AND WILL SUBMIT A COPY OF THE REPAIR INVOICE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 130,000 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *AK
I HAVE NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH MY ABS IN THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK IN THE PAST YEAR. WELL MY TRUCK IS NOW OFF THE ROAD SO I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY MOTHERS TRUCK AND HERS IS STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING ITS MAKES LIKE A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT WE TOOK OFF THE TIRES AND THE BRAKES WERE FINE WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT ELSE COULD BE WRONG AND THEN A FRIEND SAID ITS THE ABS SENSORS SYSTEM. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'M GOING TO LIST EVERY SAFETY DEFECT WITH MY 1996 GMC SIERRA SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2008. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT I HEARD A SWISHING SOUND IN THE HEATER CORE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST LOW ON ANTI FREEZE AND THAT MY REPAIR FACILITY COULD FIX THE AIR BAG; BUT AS IT TURNS OUT THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BAD AND I COULDN'T AFFORD TO GET THE AIR BAG FIXED. THE SWISHING SOUND WAS CAUSED BY AIR IN THE COOLING SYSTEM DUE TO A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET; IT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR 600.00 $. A BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT (YES I KNOW IT'S AN OLD TRUCK), THE FUEL LINES ARE RUSTING AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED SOON, AND THE OIL COOLER LINES ARE LEAKING BECAUSE GM VEHICLES HAVE FLUID LINES THAT ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS DON'T ALWAYS TURN ON WHEN IT'S RAINING BECAUSE OF CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS IN THE CONTROL MODULE AND I REPLACED A HEATER/FAN MOTOR. I PULLED MY ABS FUSE AND DISABLED THE SYSTEM BECAUSE MY ABS WAS ACTIVATING ON DRY PAVEMENT AT LOW SPEEDS AND CAUSING AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE; A REAL DANGER IN PARKING LOTS WHERE A CHILD COULD RUN OUT IN FRONT OF MY TRUCK. I DON'T HAVE A GRAND TO REPLACE RUSTED HUBS AND SENSORS TO MAKE MY ABS WORK AGAIN. THE DRIVERS SIDE CAST METAL DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND I REPLACED IT MYSELF WITH A DEALER PART FOR 80.00$ ONE WOULD HATE TO BE IN A WRECK AND HAVE THE HANDLE FAIL WHEN THAT DOOR IS THE ONLY EXIT IN AN EMERGENCY! I'M ON MY THIRD FUEL PUMP AND FORTH FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT WHICH IS THE REASON WHY I'M WRITING THIS COMPLAINT. MY TRUCK COULD STALL OUT IN TRAFFIC AT ANY TIME AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE OR CONFIDENT DRIVING IT; I FEEL IT'S A BAD DESIGN AND A SAFETY ISSUE. THE PUMP AND SENDING UNIT ARE IN THE FUEL TANK, WHICH IN AN INCONVENIENT LOCATION AT BEST. I CAN'T SPARE 500.00 OR 600.00 EVERY YEAR OR SO TO HAVE NEW COMPONENTS INSTALLED IN MY GAS TANK, IF YOU WANT TO BUY AN OLD GM OR CHEVY TRUCK'..YOU'VE BEEN FOREWARNED! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR TWO WEEKS. RECEIVED CALL AT WORK THAT MY VEHICLE WAS BURNING. FIRE DEPT. EXTINGUISHED,NO CLUE OF WHAT STARTED IT. HAD ONLY LIABILITY COVERAGE. PURCHASED NEW 1ST EVER OWNED. VEHICLE IS STILL HERE HAVE NOT TOUCHED IT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'M GOING TO LIST EVERY SAFETY DEFECT WITH MY 1996 GMC SIERRA SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2008. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT I HEARD A SWISHING SOUND IN THE HEATER CORE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST LOW ON ANTI FREEZE AND THAT MY REPAIR FACILITY COULD FIX THE AIR BAG; BUT AS IT TURNS OUT THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BAD AND I COULDN'T AFFORD TO GET THE AIR BAG FIXED. THE SWISHING SOUND WAS CAUSED BY AIR IN THE COOLING SYSTEM DUE TO A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET; IT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR 600.00 $. A BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT (YES I KNOW IT'S AN OLD TRUCK), THE FUEL LINES ARE RUSTING AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED SOON, AND THE OIL COOLER LINES ARE LEAKING BECAUSE GM VEHICLES HAVE FLUID LINES THAT ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS DON'T ALWAYS TURN ON WHEN IT'S RAINING BECAUSE OF CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS IN THE CONTROL MODULE AND I REPLACED A HEATER/FAN MOTOR. I PULLED MY ABS FUSE AND DISABLED THE SYSTEM BECAUSE MY ABS WAS ACTIVATING ON DRY PAVEMENT AT LOW SPEEDS AND CAUSING AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE; A REAL DANGER IN PARKING LOTS WHERE A CHILD COULD RUN OUT IN FRONT OF MY TRUCK. I DON'T HAVE A GRAND TO REPLACE RUSTED HUBS AND SENSORS TO MAKE MY ABS WORK AGAIN. THE DRIVERS SIDE CAST METAL DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND I REPLACED IT MYSELF WITH A DEALER PART FOR 80.00$ ONE WOULD HATE TO BE IN A WRECK AND HAVE THE HANDLE FAIL WHEN THAT DOOR IS THE ONLY EXIT IN AN EMERGENCY! I'M ON MY THIRD FUEL PUMP AND FORTH FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT WHICH IS THE REASON WHY I'M WRITING THIS COMPLAINT. MY TRUCK COULD STALL OUT IN TRAFFIC AT ANY TIME AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE OR CONFIDENT DRIVING IT; I FEEL IT'S A BAD DESIGN AND A SAFETY ISSUE. THE PUMP AND SENDING UNIT ARE IN THE FUEL TANK, WHICH IN AN INCONVENIENT LOCATION AT BEST. I CAN'T SPARE 500.00 OR 600.00 EVERY YEAR OR SO TO HAVE NEW COMPONENTS INSTALLED IN MY GAS TANK, IF YOU WANT TO BUY AN OLD GM OR CHEVY TRUCK'..YOU'VE BEEN FOREWARNED! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'M GOING TO LIST EVERY SAFETY DEFECT WITH MY 1996 GMC SIERRA SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2008. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT I HEARD A SWISHING SOUND IN THE HEATER CORE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST LOW ON ANTI FREEZE AND THAT MY REPAIR FACILITY COULD FIX THE AIR BAG; BUT AS IT TURNS OUT THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BAD AND I COULDN'T AFFORD TO GET THE AIR BAG FIXED. THE SWISHING SOUND WAS CAUSED BY AIR IN THE COOLING SYSTEM DUE TO A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET; IT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR 600.00 $. A BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT (YES I KNOW IT'S AN OLD TRUCK), THE FUEL LINES ARE RUSTING AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED SOON, AND THE OIL COOLER LINES ARE LEAKING BECAUSE GM VEHICLES HAVE FLUID LINES THAT ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS DON'T ALWAYS TURN ON WHEN IT'S RAINING BECAUSE OF CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS IN THE CONTROL MODULE AND I REPLACED A HEATER/FAN MOTOR. I PULLED MY ABS FUSE AND DISABLED THE SYSTEM BECAUSE MY ABS WAS ACTIVATING ON DRY PAVEMENT AT LOW SPEEDS AND CAUSING AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE; A REAL DANGER IN PARKING LOTS WHERE A CHILD COULD RUN OUT IN FRONT OF MY TRUCK. I DON'T HAVE A GRAND TO REPLACE RUSTED HUBS AND SENSORS TO MAKE MY ABS WORK AGAIN. THE DRIVERS SIDE CAST METAL DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND I REPLACED IT MYSELF WITH A DEALER PART FOR 80.00$ ONE WOULD HATE TO BE IN A WRECK AND HAVE THE HANDLE FAIL WHEN THAT DOOR IS THE ONLY EXIT IN AN EMERGENCY! I'M ON MY THIRD FUEL PUMP AND FORTH FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT WHICH IS THE REASON WHY I'M WRITING THIS COMPLAINT. MY TRUCK COULD STALL OUT IN TRAFFIC AT ANY TIME AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE OR CONFIDENT DRIVING IT; I FEEL IT'S A BAD DESIGN AND A SAFETY ISSUE. THE PUMP AND SENDING UNIT ARE IN THE FUEL TANK, WHICH IN AN INCONVENIENT LOCATION AT BEST. I CAN'T SPARE 500.00 OR 600.00 EVERY YEAR OR SO TO HAVE NEW COMPONENTS INSTALLED IN MY GAS TANK, IF YOU WANT TO BUY AN OLD GM OR CHEVY TRUCK'..YOU'VE BEEN FOREWARNED! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GMC SIERRA 1500 WITH COOPER DISCOVERY H/T P325 75/R15 TIRES. THE DOT NUMBER FOR THE FRONT TIRES WAS 3DHL AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS UTHL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF THE FOUR COOPER TIRES ON THE VEHICLE HAVE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE TWO FRONT TIRES AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAD ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE FRONT TIRES THREE YEARS AGO AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FIVE YEARS AGO. THE TIRE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE FRONT TIRES HAD 20000 MILES AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAD 30000 MILES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .