1996 Gmc SIERRA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
137 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
83,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 46 of 137 complaints (33.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 10.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 8.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 6.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 4.4% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 4.4% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 3.6% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 46 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 18 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 3 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 46; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 18; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 7; Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Seats: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 111 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 35 |
| 2001 | 34 |
| 2002 | 30 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
1996: 3; 2000: 35; 2001: 34; 2002: 30; 2003: 14; 2004: 15; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001718 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001718 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005170 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
MY 1996 GMC SIERRA WINDSHEILD WIPERS BEGAN WORKING ERRATICALLY, PAUSING, AND NOT WORKING AT ALL, CREATING INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS NOW HAPPENS WITH EACH USAGE OF THE WIPERS.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005170 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006351 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
RECALL # 98-V-150-001, CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE IN NOT INCLUDE IN RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006351 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017101 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME FRACTURED AT THE LEFT FORWARD ATTACH POINT. THIS CAUSED THE SEAT TO ROCK AND POSSIBLY COULD CAUSE REMAINING THREE FASTENERS TO BECOME OVERLOADED AND FAIL. FAILURE OF THE PRIMARY STRUCTURAL SEAT ATTACHMENT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY DURING AN ACCIDENT. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 66,435 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017101 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017664 · 2003-04-28 (April 28, 2003)
THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO INSTALL A CHILD SEAT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, DUE TO THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE REAR SEAT BELT, WHICH CONTAINED A TWIST. *JB *TS
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017664 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026648 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS IN FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026648 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030267 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036715 · 2003-08-27 (August 27, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 177,712 miles reported. Look up ODI 10036715 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
96V057000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1996-04-04 (April 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V150001 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 1998-07-01 (July 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗