Model year record

1990 GMC Sierra recalls & problems

The 1990 GMC Sierra has 2 safety recalls and 18 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (12 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints18filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingAug 11, 2008

Headlights

Recall 08E0500001,921 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Service brakes, hydraulicAug 2, 1993

Foundation components › Disc › Rotor

Recall 93V119000341,364 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

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

Sierra 1500 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD Diesel

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,300/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD Diesel

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Manual 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,300/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD Diesel

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $6,000/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD Diesel

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Diesel

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Manual 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $6,000/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

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

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Master cylinder	12	1	2	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit	3	0	3	—
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	3	0	0	—
StructureFrame and members; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments	2	0	0	—
SuspensionFront › Wheel bearing	2	0	1	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly	2	0	1	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor	2	0	2	—
Seats	1	0	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist system	1	0	1	—
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel	1	0	1	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer	1	0	1	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Power train › Automatic transmissionFire
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,…
Mar 10, 1992 · 55,000 miles
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
DRIVER'S DOOR IS SAGGING, IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE HINGE , I AM GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE IT IN TO GET IT FIXED, AS IT DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY NOW.*AK
Dec 20, 2005
Tires › Sidewall
DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE IN A REPAIR SHOP AWAITING VEHICLE MAINTENANCE IT WAS NOTED THERE WERE CRACKS ON THE SIDE WALL OF ALL FOUR TIRES. HE WENT TO THE TIRE DEALER FROM WHERE THEY WERE PURCHASED, AND THE TIRE SHOP SAID THEY WOULD OFFER COST ASSISTANCE FOR REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TIRE IS A COOPER MASTERCRAFT AT, 265/75/R16. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB
Nov 9, 2005 · 176,663 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
BRAKE PEDAL FEELS SPONGY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. PROBLEM HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE FRONT DISC PADS AND THE REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS HAD BEEN REPLACED BUT THE BRAKE STILL GOES TO THE FLOOR. CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS INDICATED THAT THE 88,89 AND 90 MODELS HAD THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *YH
Apr 23, 2000
Tires › Tread/belt
TIRE SEPARATION; DAMAGE TO SPORTS SIDE FENDER WELL AND TAILPIPE. REQUIRED WHEEL WELL REPLACEMENT AND PAINTING.*AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
Aug 6, 2000
Tires
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH OR SOMETIMES ABOUT 55 MPH VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING WITHOUT A WARNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,AND THEY FOUND OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WERE THE TIRES. FIRESTONE WILDERNES HT 235/ 75 R 15. *AK TWO OF THE FOUR TIRES HAVE CRACK LINE AROUND TREAD CAP. *YH
Sep 1, 2000
Seats
SEAT FRAME IS CRACKED UNDER SEAT. SEAT REMAINS VERY UNSTABLE. POTENTIAL FOR SEAT COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING
Jan 4, 2000
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH DRIVER'S AND MIDDLE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILING TO LOCK PROPERLY. BUCKLE WOULD UNLATCH BY ITSELF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *ML
Jul 15, 1999

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