RoadVitals

1990 GMC Sierra

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.
18
Latest Jun 15, 2010
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.
2
Latest Aug 11, 2008
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.
3

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 GMC Sierra, most frequently naming the brakes, tires & wheels and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 4 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

  • Brakes1037.0%
  • Tires & wheels311.1%
  • Body & structure27.4%
  • Seat belts27.4%
  • Suspension27.4%
  • Transmission27.4%
  • Electrical13.7%
  • Steering13.7%

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

2 campaigns 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
08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
93V119000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

Aug 2, 1993
341,364 units potentially affected
The defect: SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.
The risk: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 18
BrakesElectricalEngine+6 more
Filed Jun 15, 2010
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEALS WERE LEAKING AROUND THE TRANSMISSION AND WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,880. THE LEFT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FELL OFF, THE MAGNET COVER PLATE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL CAME OFF AND RUINED THE REAR END TWICE. THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL SEALS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE LOST FLUID, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED, THE CLUTCH FAN BROKE , THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT TURN TO THE LEFT AS EASY AS THE RIGHT, THE SEAT BELTS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY, THE VALVE GUIDES FAILED ON THE ENGINE, THE ABS WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER COMPONENT CAME ON WHEN WATER WOULD GET ON THE UNIT AND THEY WOULD NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL THE UNIT DRIED OUT/ THE TORSION BAR SUPPORT WAS FATIGUED, THE REAR BRAKES DID NOT ADJUST THEMSELVES PROPERLY AND THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT WORK. UPDATED EVOQ 08/05/10

NHTSA ID
10336395
Incident
Mar 10, 1992
Mileage
55,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 26, 2006

DRIVER'S DOOR IS SAGGING, IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE HINGE , I AM GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE IT IN TO GET IT FIXED, AS IT DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY NOW.*AK

NHTSA ID
10148802
Incident
Dec 20, 2005
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 10, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE IN A REPAIR SHOP AWAITING VEHICLE MAINTENANCE IT WAS NOTED THERE WERE CRACKS ON THE SIDE WALL OF ALL FOUR TIRES. HE WENT TO THE TIRE DEALER FROM WHERE THEY WERE PURCHASED, AND THE TIRE SHOP SAID THEY WOULD OFFER COST ASSISTANCE FOR REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TIRE IS A COOPER MASTERCRAFT AT, 265/75/R16. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

NHTSA ID
10142393
Incident
Nov 9, 2005
Mileage
176,663 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 23, 2001

BRAKE PEDAL FEELS SPONGY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. PROBLEM HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE FRONT DISC PADS AND THE REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS HAD BEEN REPLACED BUT THE BRAKE STILL GOES TO THE FLOOR. CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS INDICATED THAT THE 88,89 AND 90 MODELS HAD THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *YH

NHTSA ID
886452
Incident
Apr 23, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 24, 2000

TIRE SEPARATION; DAMAGE TO SPORTS SIDE FENDER WELL AND TAILPIPE. REQUIRED WHEEL WELL REPLACEMENT AND PAINTING.*AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

NHTSA ID
736821
Incident
Aug 6, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 1, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH OR SOMETIMES ABOUT 55 MPH VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING WITHOUT A WARNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,AND THEY FOUND OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WERE THE TIRES. FIRESTONE WILDERNES HT 235/ 75 R 15. *AK TWO OF THE FOUR TIRES HAVE CRACK LINE AROUND TREAD CAP. *YH

NHTSA ID
869389
Incident
Sep 1, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed May 22, 2000

SEAT FRAME IS CRACKED UNDER SEAT. SEAT REMAINS VERY UNSTABLE. POTENTIAL FOR SEAT COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ID
723011
Incident
Jan 4, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Mar 20, 2000

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH DRIVER'S AND MIDDLE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILING TO LOCK PROPERLY. BUCKLE WOULD UNLATCH BY ITSELF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
858861
Incident
Jul 15, 1999

Manufacturer communications

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

04-06-04-051F

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.

020730024A

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT

01570

SUSPENSION:REAR

SPRING SLAP NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE GMT 400 SERIES TRUCK. *MN

990730016A

POWER TRAIN

DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT, SLIP, BUSY/CYCLING TCC OR NOISY COOLING FAN. *TT

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

GMC Sierra by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017610037.8
2016620—
2015536050.3
201410112053.9
2013393051.4
2012292051.1
2011432042.2
2010341045.6
2009371041.7
2008682250.8
2007592050.2
2006536052.7
200511711048.1
200418810051.8
20032069558.4
20022497865.4
20012647966.2
200044312965.4
199960091065.3
19981900246.8
19972380034.6
19962462358.9
19952616360.6
19941903048.9
1993723051.6
1992304052.6
1991122039.9
1990Viewing182051.4
1989162154.7
1988621—
1987100—
1983200—
1982100—
1979001—
1977200—
1976200—

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.