RoadVitals

1996 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.
246
Latest May 31, 2020
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 Jul 1, 1998
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.
3
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.
23
14 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 246 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 GMC Sierra, most frequently naming the visibility, brakes and interior & seats categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 20 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

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
98V150001

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Jul 1, 1998
1,557,585 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 98043View on NHTSA.gov
96V057000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Apr 4, 1996
379,004 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA02006ClosedEngineering Analysis

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

Opened May 31, 2002
Closed Jul 23, 2003

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTORLed to recall 03V159000
EA00024ClosedEngineering Analysis

HEADLIGHT

Opened Sep 26, 2000
Closed Dec 21, 2001
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PE00017ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HEADLIGHT

Opened Apr 11, 2000
Closed Sep 26, 2000

BASED ON THE REPORTS RECEIVED BY ODI FROM CONSUMERS, FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT FROM REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OFTHE TILT STEERING WHEEL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY STRAIN THE WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT TO THE POINT OF FAILURE WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, RESULTING IN THE UNANTICIPATED LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.ODI HAS CONCERNS REGARDING THE HIGH RATE OF WARRANTY REPAIRS FOR PROBLEMS POTENTIALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WITH THE RECOGNITION THE EACH INCIDENT OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE REPRESENTS A CONDITION OF VEHICLE DISABLEMENT.IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER'S EVALUATION OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED, AND THIS OFFICE HAS INTEREST IN THE DETAILS OF THE METHODOLOGIES AND RESULTS OF THAT ASSESSMENT.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 246
Driver assistance
Filed May 31, 2020

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN AND I REACHED SPEEDS OF ALMOST 100 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC

NHTSA ID
11326713
Incident
May 31, 2020
Mileage
150,100 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 3, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS ACTIVATED AT VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS AND THERE WERE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALTHOUGH THESE PROBLEMS PERSISTED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER.

NHTSA ID
10149375
Incident
Feb 3, 2006
Mileage
79,800 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 8, 2005

WHILE TOWING TRAILER WITH 2 QUADS (4 WHEELERS) ON EXPRESSWAY WITH A GROUP OF CO-WORKERS, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN MY TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PASSING GEAR. IT MADE A LOUD "REVING" NOISE AND BEGAN RAPIDLY DECREASING IN SPEED. I PULLED OFF THE EXPRESSWAY BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. I THEN GRADUALLY ACCELERATED AND SHIFTED MANUALLY, BUT WAS ONLY ABLE TO ACHEIVE 1ST GEAR. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED 150 MILES TO MY HOUSE WHERE IT STILL SITS THREE MONTHS LATER WITH ONLY REVERSE AND 1ST GEAR OPERABLE AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ID
10127894
Incident
Apr 23, 2005
Mileage
108,748 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 24, 2005

DT: THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY THEY HAVE A STRANGE PATTERN TO THEM. THEY QUIT, AND HAD A HUMMING NOISE FROM THE WIPER MOTOR.*AK HAD WINDSHIELD WIPER RECALL PERFORMED. MOTOR AND CIRCUIT BOARD WERE REPLACED. REPAIRS AT GMC DEALERSHIP ON 6/13/05. *TT *NM

NHTSA ID
10124129
Incident
Jun 2, 2005
Body & structure
Filed May 19, 2005

1996 GMC SIERRA LOST ITS CABLES AS WELL AS THE REMAINING PARTS HOLDING THE TAILGATE IS RUSTING AND THE CATCH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOES NOT POP OPEN AUTOMATICALLY.*MR....REMAINING PARTS HOLDING TAILGATE ARE RUSTING. ALSO, CATCH ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOESN'T POP OPEN AUTOMATICALLY. WARRANTY EXPIRED WITHIN TRHEE YERAS OF PURCHASE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10121452
Incident
Apr 26, 2005
Engine
Filed Jan 29, 2005

VEHICLE LEAKS ANTI-FREEZE FROM VICINITY OF UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. CHRONIC PROBLEM. OCCURS AFTER VEHICLE HAS SET FOR 3-5 HOURS AFTER RUNNING. DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE LEAKING INTO CRANKCASE. HAD SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTED. TOLD TO MONITOR TO SEE IF IT IS GETTING INTO OIL. LEAKS ABOUT 1-2 TABLESPOONS PER SHUT DOWN. ENOUGH TO BE NOTICEABLE

NHTSA ID
10108205
Incident
Jan 21, 2002
Mileage
45,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 5, 2004

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORK INTERMITEDLY AND I FOUND THE RECAL FOR IT ON THIS SITE. 996 GMC SIERRA PICKUP..THE DEALORSHIP IS SAYING EVEN THOUGH MY WIPERS ARE BROKEN THEY CANNOT REPAIR FOR FREE BECAUSE MY PARTICULAR VIN # ISN'T ON THE LIST. *AK

NHTSA ID
10102176
Incident
Nov 20, 2002
Mileage
80,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 21, 2004

THE BRAKE LINE ABOVE THE GAS TANK RUSTED AND FAILED WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING OF THIS AND AS IT WAS ABOVE THE GAS TANK, WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NOTICED. THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE DROPPED AND THE BRAKE LINE REPLACED. THANK GOODNESS THE VEHICLE STOPPED BEFORE REARENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND THANK GOODNESS MY ONE YEAR OLD WASN'T IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. OLD PART HAS BEEN RETAINED. REPAIR COST WAS $458.21.

NHTSA ID
10096172
Incident
Oct 20, 2004
Mileage
149,586 mi

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.

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.

130089009

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

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

020525006

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTILOCK BRAKE (ABS) ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS. *TT

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

040604088

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

REPLACEMENT OF CONNECTOR WHEN REPLACING FUEL TANK MODULE/FUEL PUMP MODULE. *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
1996Viewing2462358.9
19952616360.6
19941903048.9
1993723051.6
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.