U.S. public vehicle records

Gmc SIERRA problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

3,386 owner complaints analyzed

56 distinct recall campaigns

55,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1976 to 2017 model years. Data snapshot: 2026-09-12 (September 12, 2026). 1,915 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 508 of 3,386 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	1,314	38.8%
Steering behavior	251	7.4%
Transmission and shifting	197	5.8%
Electrical and battery issues	122	3.6%
Fuel system concerns	77	2.3%
Engine operation	59	1.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

508

Service Brakes

304

Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor

209

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

155

Electrical System

127

Air Bags

118

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

111

Steering

106

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	508
Service Brakes	304
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor	209
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	155
Electrical System	127
Air Bags	118
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	111
Steering	106

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 508; Service Brakes: 304; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 209; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 155; Electrical System: 127; Air Bags: 118; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 111; Steering: 106

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

427

25,000 to 49,999

422

50,000 to 74,999

417

75,000 to 99,999

280

100,000 to 149,999

260

150,000 and above

109

Under 25,000: 427; 25,000 to 49,999: 422; 50,000 to 74,999: 417; 75,000 to 99,999: 280; 100,000 to 149,999: 260; 150,000 and above: 109

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (427). 1,471 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1996

2000

338

2001

312

2002

315

2003

269

2004

321

2005

497

2006

152

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

121

2013

125

2014

266

2015

184

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Complaints over time data
Category	Count
1996	8
2000	338
2001	312
2002	315
2003	269
2004	321
2005	497
2006	152
2007	73
2008	27
2009	37
2010	53
2011	91
2012	121
2013	125
2014	266
2015	184
2016	93
2017	5
2018	7
2019	29
2020	20
2021	10
2022	12
2023	11
2024	7
2025	3

1996: 8; 2000: 338; 2001: 312; 2002: 315; 2003: 269; 2004: 321; 2005: 497; 2006: 152; 2007: 73; 2008: 27; 2009: 37; 2010: 53; 2011: 91; 2012: 121; 2013: 125; 2014: 266; 2015: 184; 2016: 93; 2017: 5; 2018: 7; 2019: 29; 2020: 20; 2021: 10; 2022: 12; 2023: 11; 2024: 7; 2025: 3

Pattern summary

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1,314 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 251 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 197 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10069480 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)

GAS LINE OF SADDLE TANK LEAKED, FUEL PUMP WENT OUT,DISPURSED GAS WHILE DRIVING,LUCKILY SMELLED GAS,IMMEDIATLY PULLED OVER, SHUT MOTOR DOWN,ALSO BRAKES FAILED, HAD TO REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER. WANT ALSO TO KNOW ABOUT CLASS ACTIN SUIT ON SADDLE TANK'S, WANT TO KNOW IF I'M ENTITLED TO A CONSUMER CERTIFICATE FROM GM

Owner-reported narrative. 141,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069480 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10042756 · 2003-10-10 (October 10, 2003)

CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AT 25 MPH AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. DRIVER STOPPED, AND NOTICED HALF OF THE ROTORS ON FRONT HAD SHEARED OFF.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042756 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10837875 · 2016-02-23 (February 23, 2016)

THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE! THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS TALKED ABOUT ON THE INTERNET. THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH HAS FAILED. THE SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND ITS FAILURE MAY BE RELATED TO THE LOOSENESS. GMC SHOULD REPAIR THESE SAFETY PROBLEMS ON MY VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE.

Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10837875 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 750710 · 2001-08-18 (August 18, 2001)

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE ACC.ELERATOR BRACKET BROKE AT THE POWER STEERING PUMP/I ALSO HAD A CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN THAT USED THIS SAME BRACKET AND IT BROKE ON ME AT THE SAME EXACT SPOT. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 750710 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10336395 · 2010-06-15 (June 15, 2010)

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 AN…

Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10336395 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10046763 · 2003-11-12 (November 12, 2003)

TRANSMISSION. COMES OUT OF DRIVE WHILE MOVING AND TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL. DRIVER MUST COAST OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF ROADWAY, STOP, TURN OFF ENGINE, WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES THEN RESTART ENGINE. CAN CAUSE A COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLES WHILE COASTING TO THE EDGE OF ROADWAY. HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO GMC FOR 10 YEARS WITH NO CORRECTION OF PROBLEM. I NARROWLY AVOIDED A COLLISION WHILE COASTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 39,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046763 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10045281 · 2003-11-02 (November 2, 2003)

FAILURES IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. RADIO,DASHBOARD LIGHT (SPEEDOMETER, ETC.),WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 87,510 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045281 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10068257 · 2004-05-04 (May 4, 2004)

DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS TO WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, CAUSING WIPERS TO STOP RUNNING RANDOMLY.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068257 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10533453 · 2013-08-03 (August 3, 2013)

SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY. INSTRUMENT PANEL DOESN'T WORK. WIRES MAY BE SPARKING ABOVE GAS TANK. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 178,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10533453 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 550324 · 2000-01-10 (January 10, 2000)

POSSIBLE FUEL PUMP FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550324 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 802276 · 1996-09-12 (September 12, 1996)

FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF BRAKES.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802276 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.