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1989 GMC Sierra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
16Owner complaints

Model-year median: 53

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
19876
198816
198918
199012
199130
1992
Compare all Sierra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Seat Belts
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Electrical System
2Exterior Lighting
2Fuel System, Gasoline
2
All reported categories
Steering
2Engine And Engine Cooling
1Parking Brake
1Service Brakes, Air
1Structure
1Tires
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Seat Belts. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

16 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 1998
Structure

ORIGINAL PAINT ON VEHICLE IS PEELING.

NHTSA ODI #780627

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 1998
Steering

STEERING WHEEL STIFF, HARD TO TURN. HAS TO FORCE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO ORIGINAL POSITION AFTER TURNING. TOOK TO MECHANIC & COULD NOT TELL IF GEAR BOX OR NOT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #828285

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 1997
Exterior Lighting

THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SOCKETS ARE CORRODED AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS NO LONGER OPERATE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #815178

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 1997
Exterior Lighting

BRAKE LIGHT SOCKET BROKE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #517831

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1997
Seat Belts

3 OUT OF 4 SEAT BELTS THAT ARE EQUIPPED IN VEHICLE HAVE BROKEN DUE TO POORLY DESIGNED BUCKLES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #812693

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 1996
Parking BrakeWheels

HIT A POTHOLE ON ROAD AND WHEEL FELL INTO HOLE, THERE WAS ENOUGH DOWNWARD WHEEL TRAVEL TO PULL PARKING BRAKE CABLES TIGHT, CAUSING REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #511700

Official recalls

1

93V119000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

Aug 2, 1993

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE91133 · W-CAR Hinge Pin Failure

Opened Oct 1, 1991 · Closed Dec 5, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available