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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 →

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
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2002
Visibility

98 V 150 001/WINDSHIED WIPER WIRING: WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR STOP DURING OPERATION. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8013963

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2002
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING, RESULTING IN POOR VISABILITY FOR CONSUMER WHEN DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL 98V150001 DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8012210

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2002
Power Train

VEHICLE JERKS AND VIOLENTLY VIBRATES WHEN SHIFTING UP AND DOWN, INCREASING AND DECREASING SPEEDS. ALSO, NOTICED GREASY SPOTS FROM FLUID LEAKING. FIRST TIME VEHICLE WAS SENT FOR REPAIRS PROBLEM WAS NEVER DONE. IT WAS TAKEN TAKING BACK A SECOND TIME. DEALER'S SERVICE TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT THAT IT LEAKED WHILE IT WAS STILL …

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VEHICLE JERKS AND VIOLENTLY VIBRATES WHEN SHIFTING UP AND DOWN, INCREASING AND DECREASING SPEEDS. ALSO, NOTICED GREASY SPOTS FROM FLUID LEAKING. FIRST TIME VEHICLE WAS SENT FOR REPAIRS PROBLEM WAS NEVER DONE. IT WAS TAKEN TAKING BACK A SECOND TIME. DEALER'S SERVICE TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT THAT IT LEAKED WHILE IT WAS STILL UP ON THE LIFT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8011727

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2002
Visibility

MY TRUCK HAS THEWINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM THAT A SAFETY RECALL HAS BEEN ORDERED ON. GM CLAIMS THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS TOO HIGH AND MY TRUCK IS NOT AFFECTED EVEN THOUGH IT IS OBVIOUS TO ANYONES EYES IT IS. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 98043 OR NHTSA # 98V150001. I HAVE BEEN NOTICING MY WIPERS BEING INTERMITTENT AND CONTINUOUSLY GETTING WOR…

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MY TRUCK HAS THEWINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM THAT A SAFETY RECALL HAS BEEN ORDERED ON. GM CLAIMS THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS TOO HIGH AND MY TRUCK IS NOT AFFECTED EVEN THOUGH IT IS OBVIOUS TO ANYONES EYES IT IS. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 98043 OR NHTSA # 98V150001. I HAVE BEEN NOTICING MY WIPERS BEING INTERMITTENT AND CONTINUOUSLY GETTING WORSE. GM REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. I TRIED CONTACTING ANYONE AND EVERYONE TO NO AVAIL. I MADE A CASE TO THEM TO WHICH THE CUSTOMER NO SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT GM WOULD LOOK INTO IT IF THEY SAW ALOT OF COMPLAINTS COME IN. ITS OBVIOUS THAT THEIR RECALL DID NOT COVER ALL THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BECAUSE I HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEMS THAT ARE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. I AM HOPING THAT SOMEONE CAN SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT GM SHOULD STAND UP TO AND FIX. I WELCOME A RESPONSE PLEASE. THANK YOU.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763011

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2002
Visibility

RECALL 98V150001/WINDSHIELD WIPER WIRING: WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER DUE TO VIN.*AK. CONSUMER STATED WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WILL PERIODICALLY STOP, AND MUST BE REMOVED MANUALLY, THEN IT WILL WORK.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8010202

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2002
Visibility

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL INTERMITTENLY WORK, CUTTING OFF FROM TIME TO TIME. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8009968

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2002
Visibility

WINSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY QUIT, WITHOUT WARNING, CONSUMER ALMOST HAD AND ACCIDENT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THERE WAS RECALL 98V150001 FOR SAME PROBLEM THAT CONSUMER WAS HAVING. BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8009940

Mileage unknown · May 14, 2002
Exterior LightingSeats

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #761866

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

SINCE PURCHASING MY TRUCK, THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH IT SIMPLY SHUTTING DOWN MID MOTION, CAUSING BRAKE AND STEERING FAILURE. THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THIS PROBLEM WAS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ACCIDENT (ON AN ICY ROADWAY) IN NH. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO COUNTLESS GARAGES IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, …

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SINCE PURCHASING MY TRUCK, THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH IT SIMPLY SHUTTING DOWN MID MOTION, CAUSING BRAKE AND STEERING FAILURE. THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THIS PROBLEM WAS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ACCIDENT (ON AN ICY ROADWAY) IN NH. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO COUNTLESS GARAGES IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, TO NO AVAIL. I CONTINUE HEARING FROM SEVERAL MECHANICS; "FUEL INJECTION PROBLEM - A BAD YEAR FOR GMC ..." THE PROBLEM WAS ONLY OCCASIONAL AT THE START, AND TOLERABLE, BUT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE - TO THE POINT WHERE I NO LONGER AM COMFORTABLE TAKING IT OUT OF THE YARD - YET I CONTINUE PAYING OFF A LOAN FOR A TRUCK I CANNOT TRUST. AGAIN, I HAVE DEALT WITH THREE DIFFERENT GARAGES (DIESEL), WITH COMPETENT MECHANICS, AND AFTER HAVING VARIOUS PARTS REPLACED - EVENTUALLY FIND MYSELF WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING, AGAIN AND AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #761255

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHILE DRIVING FUEL PUMP STOPPED PUMPING FUEL,CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8008631

Official recalls

2

98V150001 · 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

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.