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
What owners actually said
246 reports
111,000 miles · Jan 3, 2004
Fuel System, Diesel
PROBLEM IN FUEL SYSTEM (LIKELY THE FUEL PUMP OR RELATED COMPONENT) IN 1996 GMC SIERRA WITH 6.5 L DIESEL . CAUSES ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. HAPPENED WHILE PULLING TRAVEL TRAILER ON TWO LANE ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER AND NUMEROUS OTHER TIMES. NO ENGINE CODE DISPLAYED DURING EVENT SO DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T FIX PRO…
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PROBLEM IN FUEL SYSTEM (LIKELY THE FUEL PUMP OR RELATED COMPONENT) IN 1996 GMC SIERRA WITH 6.5 L DIESEL . CAUSES ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. HAPPENED WHILE PULLING TRAVEL TRAILER ON TWO LANE ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER AND NUMEROUS OTHER TIMES. NO ENGINE CODE DISPLAYED DURING EVENT SO DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T FIX PROBLEM WITHOUT CODE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10052313
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2003
Visibility
RECALL 03V159000. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WITH A BAD PART. THIS MADE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INOPERATIVE. ALSO THE DEALERSHIP MISJUDGED THE CAUSE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, AND WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER FOR A PART THAT THEY THOUGHT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK …
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RECALL 03V159000. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WITH A BAD PART. THIS MADE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INOPERATIVE. ALSO THE DEALERSHIP MISJUDGED THE CAUSE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE, AND WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER FOR A PART THAT THEY THOUGHT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10040010
57,000 miles · Nov 5, 2003
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS GET STUCK, MOVE, AND WILL STOP. THEN, THEY WILL START UP AGAIN, AND STOP. A MODULE WAS INSTALLED. CURRENTLY, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK AT ALL. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT VEHICLE HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM, A BURNING SMELL, THAT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL, AND THEY WON'T DO ANY OTHER REPAIRS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10046407
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2003
Visibility
RECALL CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD IN 1996 GMC SIERRA.*MR *CB
NHTSA ODI #10046263
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2003
Exterior Lighting
HEADLAMP LIGHT SWITCH WORKS ON AND OFF, MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. *AK THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE UNIT REQUIRED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL HAD TO BE REPLACED. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10039775
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE DIED. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WE WERE TOLD THE FUEL PUMP HAD BURNT UP AND THE WIRING BOOT HAD ALSO BURNT UP. THE TECHNICIAN IMPLIED THAT WE WERE LUCKY THAT THERE HAD NOT BEEN A FIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT A FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED IN THREE YEARS. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041351
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2003
Seat Belts
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10040449
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER STATED THAT SINCE HE PURCHASED VEHICLE HE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS. ONCE HE COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE AND RAN INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT NO DAMAGE WAS DONE. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO MIDAS AND HAD BRAKE REPAIRS DONE, BUT RIGHT WHEEL KEPT LOCKING UP. HE HAD A NEW DISC PUT ON THAT PARTICULAR WHEEL. BUT WHEN HE DROVE …
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CONSUMER STATED THAT SINCE HE PURCHASED VEHICLE HE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS. ONCE HE COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE AND RAN INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT NO DAMAGE WAS DONE. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO MIDAS AND HAD BRAKE REPAIRS DONE, BUT RIGHT WHEEL KEPT LOCKING UP. HE HAD A NEW DISC PUT ON THAT PARTICULAR WHEEL. BUT WHEN HE DROVE THE VEHICLE IT STILL LOCKED UP, AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. HE WAS AFRAID OF A VEHICLE FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10038040
177,712 miles · Aug 27, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SEVERE SURFACE CORROSION ON REAR BRAKE LINE LED TO LINE BURSTING DURING AN EMERGENCY STOP TO AVOID A COLLISION. BURST OCCURED AT NINETY DEGREE BEND IN LINE BY BRACKET LEADING TO THE FLEXIBLE LINE TO REAR AXLE. SURFACE CORROSION APPEARS ALONG BRAKE LINES AT OTHER PLACES. I THINK IT IS UNUSUAL THAT THE BRAKE LINES ON A SEVEN YEAR …
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SEVERE SURFACE CORROSION ON REAR BRAKE LINE LED TO LINE BURSTING DURING AN EMERGENCY STOP TO AVOID A COLLISION. BURST OCCURED AT NINETY DEGREE BEND IN LINE BY BRACKET LEADING TO THE FLEXIBLE LINE TO REAR AXLE. SURFACE CORROSION APPEARS ALONG BRAKE LINES AT OTHER PLACES. I THINK IT IS UNUSUAL THAT THE BRAKE LINES ON A SEVEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT SUCH SEVERE CORROSION. UNLESS YOU WERE LOOKING FOR THIS YOU WOULD NOT NORMALLY SEE IT SINCE THE LINE RUNS INSIDE THE FRAME RAIL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10036715
84,000 miles · Jul 28, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
AS FUEL PUMP BEGAN TO FAIL (INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS), IT CAUSED WIRES GOING TO FUEL PUMP (WIRES ARE INSIDE THE GAS TANK) TO OVERHEAT. THE FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR WAS COMPLETELY MELTED, AND THREE INCHES OF INSULATION ON EACH WIRE WAS BURNED OFF. BARE WIRES COULD SPARK AND IGNITE FUEL VAPORS.*AK
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.
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
3
EA02006 · 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.
1996 GMC Sierra Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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