1996 GMC Sierra Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sierra years
- Far more complaints than other years 6th of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 246 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 GMC Sierra. That ranks 6th out of 23 Sierra model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is visibility (84 complaints, 34%), typically at around 71,000 miles. Complaints mention 19 crashes, 3 fires, 14 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 246owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 19complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 GMC Sierra problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility problems | 84 | 34% | 71,000 | “windshield wipers” (68%) | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 47 | 19% | 97,080 | — | — |
| Power Train | 24 | 10% | 108,748 | — | — |
| Seats | 20 | 8% | 90,218 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 16 | 7% | 119,052 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 16 | 7% | 84,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 12 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 | 5% | 140,050 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 4% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 2% | 115,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 5 | 2% | 160,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 5 | 2% | 62,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 4 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 4 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 2% | 39,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 0% | 111,000 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 GMC Sierra recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Problem: 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.
Risk: This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: 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."
Risk: Consequence of non-compliance: the engine speed may not return to idle increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Windshield wiper failure (EA02006) — opened May 31, 2002, closed Jul 23, 2003, led to recall 03V159000.
- Headlight (EA00024) — opened Sep 26, 2000, closed Dec 21, 2001.
- Headlight (PE00017) — opened Apr 11, 2000, closed Sep 26, 2000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
I was traveling down the interstate and the throttle cable was stuck wide open and i reached speeds of almost 100 in heavy traffic
Dt*: the contact stated the abs activated at various low speeds and there were increased stopping distances. There is a nhtsa recall, # 05v379000, regarding the antilock brakes. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the vin…
While towing trailer with 2 quads (4 wheelers) on expressway with a group of co-workers, i was attempting to pass another vehicle when my truck would not shift into passing gear. It made a loud "reving" noise and began rapidly decreasing in speed. I pulled off the expressway bringing the vehicle to…
Dt: the windshield wipers do not work properly they have a strange pattern to them. They quit, and had a humming noise from the wiper motor.*ak had windshield wiper recall performed. Motor and circuit board were replaced. Repairs at gmc dealership on 6/13/05. *tt *nm
1996 gmc sierra lost its cables as well as the remaining parts holding the tailgate is rusting and the catch on the drivers side does not pop open automatically.*mr....remaining parts holding tailgate are rusting. Also, catch on driver's side doesn't pop open automatically. Warranty expired within…
Other GMC Sierra years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Sierra | 61 | 0 |
| 2016 Sierra | 6 | 2 |
| 2015 Sierra | 53 | 6 |
| 2014 Sierra | 101 | 11 |
| 2013 Sierra | 39 | 3 |
| 2012 Sierra | 29 | 2 |
| 2011 Sierra | 43 | 2 |
| 2010 Sierra | 34 | 0 |
| 2009 Sierra | 37 | 1 |
| 2008 Sierra | 68 | 2 |
| 2007 Sierra | 59 | 2 |
| 2006 Sierra | 53 | 4 |
| 2005 Sierra | 117 | 9 |
| 2004 Sierra | 188 | 7 |
| 2003 Sierra | 206 | 6 |
| 2002 Sierra | 249 | 4 |
| 2001 Sierra | 264 | 4 |
| 2000 Sierra | 443 | 8 |
| 1999 Sierra | 600 | 5 |
| 1998 Sierra | 190 | 0 |
| 1997 Sierra | 238 | 0 |
| 1996 | 246 | 2 |
| 1995 Sierra | 261 | 6 |
See all GMC Sierra problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.
Similar GMC models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC Sierra?
Owners most often report visibility, service brakes, hydraulic, power train problems. The top one, visibility, accounts for 84 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 GMC Sierra?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 GMC Sierra a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sierra model years, the 1996 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.