IllustrationTHE VEHICLE'S DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK BOLT BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. *NM THE BOLTS ATTACHED THE SEAT BACK TO THE SEAT FRAME BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO RECLINE ALL THE WAY BACK AND NOT LOCK INTO POSITION. *SC *JB
1996 GMC Sierra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sierra years
Owner complaints for the 1996 GMC Sierra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 53.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sierra years →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: 26 of 246 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.
- Visibility. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
19 crash reports3 fire reports13 injury reports
Seats complaints
20 reportsWHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME FRACTURED AT THE LEFT FORWARD ATTACH POINT. THIS CAUSED THE SEAT TO ROCK AND POSSIBLY COULD CAUSE REMAINING THREE FASTENERS TO BECOME OVERLOADED AND FAIL. FAILURE OF THE PRIMARY STRUCTURAL SEAT ATTACHMENT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY DURING AN ACCIDENT. *NLM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE TAILGATE LATCH WILL NOT UNLOCK THE TAILGATE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT WORK, OR WILL ONLY WORK ON HIGH SPEED. WILL SOMETIMES WORK IF TURNED TO HIGH FIRST THEN TO LOW SPEED. WHILE STARTING TO MOVE FROM A STOP SIGN THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE FROM THE ADJUSTMENT RAILS, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO FALL TO THE REAR, RESULTING IN NOT B…
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THE TAILGATE LATCH WILL NOT UNLOCK THE TAILGATE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT WORK, OR WILL ONLY WORK ON HIGH SPEED. WILL SOMETIMES WORK IF TURNED TO HIGH FIRST THEN TO LOW SPEED. WHILE STARTING TO MOVE FROM A STOP SIGN THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE FROM THE ADJUSTMENT RAILS, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO FALL TO THE REAR, RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.
I CONTACTED NHTSA SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND I WAS INFORMED THAT GM HAD A LARGE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT RAILS IN THEIR VARIOUS VEHICLES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NHTSA HAS MANY-MANY VEHICLES TO INSPECT. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING MY GM DEALER FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS WITH VARIOUS PROBLEMS-BROKEN INTERIOR DOR HANDLE-FAILURE(S) WITH THE FUEL INJECTORS-FU…
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I CONTACTED NHTSA SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND I WAS INFORMED THAT GM HAD A LARGE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT RAILS IN THEIR VARIOUS VEHICLES. I UNDERSTAND THAT NHTSA HAS MANY-MANY VEHICLES TO INSPECT. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING MY GM DEALER FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS WITH VARIOUS PROBLEMS-BROKEN INTERIOR DOR HANDLE-FAILURE(S) WITH THE FUEL INJECTORS-FUEL PUMP FAILURES-BURNED WIRING HARNASS(WHERE I HAD TO SHOW THEM WHERE THE WIRING HARNESS WAS LOCATED-TRAINED TECHS??-ALTERNATOR FAILURE-AC COMPRESSOR FAILURE-ATC... THE BIGGEST PROBLEM OF COURSE IS THE SEAT RAILS. THEY COULD HAVE BEEN REDISNED AND THE METAL SHOULD HAVE BEEN HEAT TREATED, THE SEAT RAILS HAVE A POOR QUALITY METAL-HEAT TREATMENT WOULD HAVE SPLVED THEIR PROBLEM{S}. I HAVE TAUGHT AUTO REPAIR FOR 30+ YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER DEALT WITH SUCH A BUNCH OF NON-CARING ASS HOLES. MADE IN AMERICA-PURHAPS I SHOULD PURCHASE SOMETHING FROM JAPAN-AT LEAST THEY TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS CORRECTLY-DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH LOOSE SEATS MAKES ME FEEL LIKE IM DRIVING A FOUND ON THE ROAD DEAD CAR-FORD (PINTO). . I HOPE THAT NHTSA WILL TAKE ACTION ON GM AND STICK IT TO THEM. THANKS FOR LISTENING. *AK
SEAT TRACK BROKE WHILE CONSUME WAS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE CAUSING THE SEAT TO TILT BACK SEVERAL INCHES. SEAT NOW EXHIBIT ROCKING MOTION DURING NORMAL DRIVING. NLM
THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE. I HAVE CONTACTED NHTSA SEVERAL TIMES BY E-MAIL AND FAX TO FRANK BORRIS TO KEEP HIM UP TO DATE WITH MY PROBLEM. THERE ARE 100'S OF THOUSANDS OF TRUCKS WITH UNSAFE SEATS-MY FEAR IS HAVING MY SEAT-OR-WIFES SEAT- BREAKING LOOSE DURING A CRASH, AND CAUSING PERMANENT DISABILITIES. I CERTAIN…
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THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE. I HAVE CONTACTED NHTSA SEVERAL TIMES BY E-MAIL AND FAX TO FRANK BORRIS TO KEEP HIM UP TO DATE WITH MY PROBLEM. THERE ARE 100'S OF THOUSANDS OF TRUCKS WITH UNSAFE SEATS-MY FEAR IS HAVING MY SEAT-OR-WIFES SEAT- BREAKING LOOSE DURING A CRASH, AND CAUSING PERMANENT DISABILITIES. I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT NHTSA CAN GET THIS PROBLEM SOLVED-ASAP---THANKS FOR LISTENING. *AK
RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT LOCK IN POSITION, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FLY FORWARD WHEN COMING TO STOP. ROLLER HAS COME OFF THE TRACK. *AK
SEATS->DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SEATS (LEATHER) CRACKED IN LESS THAN THREE YEARS. EXPECTED MORE FOR THE PRICE OF THIS OPTION. HAVE HAD BRAKES REPLACED 1 - 1 1/2 MONTHS PRIOR TO FAILURE. I WAS OUT IN THE BACK COUNTRY, 40 MILES FROM PAVED ROADS, WHEN I HEARD THE ROTORS BEING TORN UP BY WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE BRAKE PADS. IT RUIN…
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SEATS->DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SEATS (LEATHER) CRACKED IN LESS THAN THREE YEARS. EXPECTED MORE FOR THE PRICE OF THIS OPTION. HAVE HAD BRAKES REPLACED 1 - 1 1/2 MONTHS PRIOR TO FAILURE. I WAS OUT IN THE BACK COUNTRY, 40 MILES FROM PAVED ROADS, WHEN I HEARD THE ROTORS BEING TORN UP BY WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE BRAKE PADS. IT RUINED BOTH ROTORS. I WAS TOLD AT AN INDEPENDANT SHOP THAT THE CALIPERS FAILED. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR INSISTED THAT THE CALIPERS DIDN'T FAIL . IT WAS JUST CHEAP BRAKE PADS. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT WASN'T THE CASE. *AK
DRIVER SEAT FRAGILE WIRING WITHIN THE SPRING MECHANISM THAT HOLDS SEAT IN PLACE BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH/SLIDES.THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK
Official recalls
298V150001 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Jul 1, 1998
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
96V057000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Apr 4, 1996
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
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.
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
3EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
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:motor
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.
EA00024 · Headlight
Opened Sep 26, 2000 · Closed Dec 21, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
No summary supplied.
PE00017 · Headlight
Opened Apr 11, 2000 · Closed Sep 26, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
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.