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1990 GMC Sierra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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 18 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. 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.

1 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

1 reports
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55,000 miles · Jun 15, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower TrainFire

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 …

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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 ODI #10336395

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.