RoadVitals

1993 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.
72
Latest Nov 8, 2017
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.
3
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.
5
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 72 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 GMC Sierra, most frequently naming the visibility, interior & seats and brakes categories. 3 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

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

3 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
94V044001

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Apr 5, 1994
2,595 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLES ALTERED BY PAS, INC. HAVE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS THAT CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION, WHICH CRACK THE E-GLASS WRAPPING. THIS STRESS CORROSION CRACKING CAN LEAD TO TANK RUPTURES.
The risk: IF THE TANK RUPTURES, PERSONAL INJURY TO INDIVIDUALS IN OR NEAR THE VEHICLE MAY OCCUR.
The remedy: GM IS OFFERING TO EXCHANGE THESE VEHICLES WITH A COMPARABLY EQUIPPED 1994 GASOLINE 1/2 OR 3/4 TON GM PICKUP. IF THE OWNER CHOOSES NOT TO EXCHANGE THE NATURAL GAS VEHICLE, GM WILL REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
93V163000

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Sep 27, 1993
303 units potentially affected
The defect: THE REAR BENCH SEAT DOES NOT MEET THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS," BECAUSE THE MANUAL LATCH MECHANISM ON THE FOLDING FULL BENCH REAR SEAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE BACK FRAME LOWER CROSS TUBE WITH DOMED HEAD STEEL RIVETS INSTEAD OF THE BOLTS SPECIFIED.
The remedy: THE RIVETS MUST BE REPLACED WITH THE CORRECT BOLTS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 72
Fuel system
Filed Nov 8, 2017

RECALL SUBJECT: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY REPORT RECEIPT DATE: 04-05-1994 NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 94V044001 MANUFACTURE: GENERAL MOTORS CORP. SUMMARY: VEHICLES ALTERED BY PAS, INC. HAVE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS THAT CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION, WHICH CRACK THE E-GLASS WRAPPING. THIS STRESS CORROSION CRACKING CAN LEAD TO TANK RUPTURES. CONSEQUENCE: IF THE TANK RUPTURES, PERSONAL INJURY TO INDIVIDUALS IN OR NEAR THE VEHICLE MAY OCCUR. REMEDY: GM IS OFFERING TO EXCHANGE THESE VEHICLES WITH A COMPARABLY EQUIPPED 1994 GASOLINE 1/2 OR 3/4 TON GM PICKUP. IF THE OWNER CHOOSES NOT TO EXCHANGE THE NATURAL GAS VEHICLE, GM WILL REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11044458
Incident
Nov 1, 2017
Engine
Filed Jul 24, 2013
1 injury reported

I WENT OUT ONE MORNING AND STARTED MY TRUCK AND HEARD A RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I GOT OUT AND OPENED THE HOOD. ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY THE ENGINE BACKFIRED AND THE COOLING FAN BLEW APART AND FRAGMENTS OF METAL CAME THROUGH THE PLASTIC SHROUD AND INTO MY FACE AND HEAD CAUSING SERIOUS AND WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL INJURY TO MYSELF. IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE FAST RESPONSE OF THE PARAMEDICS WHO FLEW ME TO THE HOSPITAL BY CHOPPER. I AM NOW BLIND MISSING AN EYE AND MY FACE AND HEAD ARE SCARED ALONG WITH POSSIBLE BRAIN DAMAGE. PLEASE DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO KEEP THIS TRAGIC ACCIDENT FROM HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10531539
Incident
May 25, 2013
Mileage
210,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 25, 2009

I PURCHASED A 1993 GMC SIERRA PICKUP FOR MY SON FROM MY FATHER WHO WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER. MY FATHER TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF IT MAKING ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCES AS WE HAVE DONE AS WELL AFTER PURCHASING IT. MY SON WAS ON HIS WAY TO SCHOOL WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE TRUCK AND HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. LUCKILY HE DID NOT LOOSE CONTROL NOR DID HE CRASH HEAD ON INTO THE ON COMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. ONCE STOPPED HE COULDN'T GET THE IGNITION TO TURN OFF WITH THE KEY. HAD TO JIGGLE THE STEERING COLUMN AROUND TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. HE DID THIS WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED BACK TO OUR HOME AND ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FIXING IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10263108
Incident
Mar 24, 2009
Mileage
220,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 11, 2006

WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN WITH MY WIPERS ON LOW SPEED, THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED, JUST AS A TRUCK WAS PASSING ME, WITH THE ROAD WATER THROWN ON THE WINDSHIELD BY THE SEMI, I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD AHEAD. I COULD SEE IN MY SIDE MIRROR THAT I WAS CLEAR ON MY RIGHT SIDE, SO I PULLED OVER ON THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. I ALSO OWN A 1991 3/4 TON SILVERADO WHICH I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE WIPER DELAY FUNCTION, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE NOT TOTALLY STOPPED AS THE SIERRA'S DID. I SPOKE WITH SOME OTHER GM TRUCK OWNERS WHO SAY THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE WIPER SYSTEMS OF THEIR TRUCKS, SOME AS FAR BACK AS 1988 MODELS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10152489
Incident
Mar 11, 2006
Visibility
Filed May 13, 2005

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V159000; GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. HOWEVER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10117811
Incident
Apr 11, 2005
Visibility
Filed May 20, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF OWN THEIR OWN. *AK WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. GENERAL MOTOR CORPORATION (GM) ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL ON 1994-1996 GMC LIGHT TRUCKS, AND TRUCK'S WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. *LA

NHTSA ID
10066997
Mileage
75,000 mi
Visibility
Filed May 4, 2004

DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS TO WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, CAUSING WIPERS TO STOP RUNNING RANDOMLY.*AK

NHTSA ID
10068257
Incident
May 1, 2001
Mileage
74,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 15, 2004

REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION 4 TIMES, RECALL ON SEATS WERE FIXED BUT BOLTS KEEP BREAKING SO I BOUGHT NEW SEATS OF A DIFFERNT STYLE AND REPLACED THEM AFTER A 5 YEAR PROBLEM. PAINT HAS BEEN FLAKING OFF THE TRUCK FOR APPOXIMATELY 4 YRS AND I CANT GET THE DEALER OR GM TO DO ANYTHING WITH THIS PAINT PROBLEM. THEY SAY IT IS BECAUSE I AM THE SECOND OWNER. THE TRUCK WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BUT THE TOP OF THE CAB AND THE BED IS ALL THAT NEEDS PAINTED, AND THEY WERE NOT DAMAGED IN ANYWAY BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10071252
Incident
Oct 15, 2003
Mileage
150,000 mi

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
1993Viewing723051.6
1992304052.6
1991122039.9
1990182051.4
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.