1996 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls & problems

Safety recalls

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

• Fuel system, gasoline

  I'M GOING TO LIST EVERY SAFETY DEFECT WITH MY 1996 GMC SIERRA SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2008. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT I HEARD A SWISHING SOUND IN THE HEATER CORE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST LOW ON ANTI FREEZE AND THAT MY REPAIR FACILITY COULD FIX THE AIR BAG; BUT AS IT TURNS OUT THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BAD AND I COULDN'T AFFORD TO GET THE AIR BAG FIXED. THE SWISHING SOUND WAS CAUSED BY AIR IN THE COOLING SYSTEM DUE TO A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET; IT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR 600.00 $. A BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT (YES I KNOW IT'S AN OLD TRUCK), THE FUEL LINES ARE RUSTING AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED SOON, AND THE…

  Jul 11, 2011 · 147,657 miles
• Tires

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GMC SIERRA 1500 WITH COOPER DISCOVERY H/T P325 75/R15 TIRES. THE DOT NUMBER FOR THE FRONT TIRES WAS 3DHL AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS UTHL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF THE FOUR COOPER TIRES ON THE VEHICLE HAVE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE TWO FRONT TIRES AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAD ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE FRONT TIRES THREE YEARS AGO AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FIVE YEARS AGO. THE TIRE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE FRONT TIRES HAD 20000 MILES AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAD 30000 MILES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED.

  Aug 28, 2010 · 125,000 miles
• Electrical systemFire

  VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR TWO WEEKS. RECEIVED CALL AT WORK THAT MY VEHICLE WAS BURNING. FIRE DEPT. EXTINGUISHED,NO CLUE OF WHAT STARTED IT. HAD ONLY LIABILITY COVERAGE. PURCHASED NEW 1ST EVER OWNED. VEHICLE IS STILL HERE HAVE NOT TOUCHED IT. *TR

  Oct 16, 2007 · 140,000 miles
• Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GMC SIERRA 1500 EXTENDED CAB. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE OR STOP THE VEHICLE THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED, AND THE VEHICLE TOOK LONGER TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED RECALL # 05V379000 CONCERNING SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE CONTACT WILL HAVE THIS PROCEDURE COMPLETED BEFORE THE HARD COPY OF THE IVOQ ARRIVES AND WILL SUBMIT A COPY OF THE REPAIR INVOICE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 130,000 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *AK

  Oct 5, 2006 · 110,000 miles
• Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipCrash1 injury

  I HAVE NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH MY ABS IN THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK IN THE PAST YEAR. WELL MY TRUCK IS NOW OFF THE ROAD SO I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY MOTHERS TRUCK AND HERS IS STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING ITS MAKES LIKE A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT WE TOOK OFF THE TIRES AND THE BRAKES WERE FINE WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT ELSE COULD BE WRONG AND THEN A FRIEND SAID ITS THE ABS SENSORS SYSTEM. *JB

  Mar 6, 2005

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.