IllustrationWHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE DIED. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WE WERE TOLD THE FUEL PUMP HAD BURNT UP AND THE WIRING BOOT HAD ALSO BURNT UP. THE TECHNICIAN IMPLIED THAT WE WERE LUCKY THAT THERE HAD NOT BEEN A FIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT A FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED IN THREE YEARS. *LA
1996 GMC Sierra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sierra years
Owner complaints for the 1996 GMC Sierra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 53.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sierra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 26 of 246 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Visibility. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
19 crash reports3 fire reports13 injury reports
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
16 reportsAS 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
CONSUMER STATES HIS VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING WITH OUT ANY REASON, CAUSING TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD. PROBLEMS IS DUE TO A FAULTY FUELS INJECTION. DEALER AND MANUFACTURES HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
SINCE PURCHASING MY TRUCK, THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH IT SIMPLY SHUTTING DOWN MID MOTION, CAUSING BRAKE AND STEERING FAILURE. THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THIS PROBLEM WAS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ACCIDENT (ON AN ICY ROADWAY) IN NH. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO COUNTLESS GARAGES IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, …
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SINCE PURCHASING MY TRUCK, THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH IT SIMPLY SHUTTING DOWN MID MOTION, CAUSING BRAKE AND STEERING FAILURE. THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THIS PROBLEM WAS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ACCIDENT (ON AN ICY ROADWAY) IN NH. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO COUNTLESS GARAGES IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, TO NO AVAIL. I CONTINUE HEARING FROM SEVERAL MECHANICS; "FUEL INJECTION PROBLEM - A BAD YEAR FOR GMC ..." THE PROBLEM WAS ONLY OCCASIONAL AT THE START, AND TOLERABLE, BUT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE - TO THE POINT WHERE I NO LONGER AM COMFORTABLE TAKING IT OUT OF THE YARD - YET I CONTINUE PAYING OFF A LOAN FOR A TRUCK I CANNOT TRUST. AGAIN, I HAVE DEALT WITH THREE DIFFERENT GARAGES (DIESEL), WITH COMPETENT MECHANICS, AND AFTER HAVING VARIOUS PARTS REPLACED - EVENTUALLY FIND MYSELF WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING, AGAIN AND AGAIN.*AK
WHILE DRIVING FUEL PUMP STOPPED PUMPING FUEL,CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING.*AK
FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT AT THE POINT WHERE THE WIRES CONNECT TO FUEL PUMP ARE SHORTED TO GROUND POSSIBLY IGNITING FUEL VAPORS INSIDE TANK
COOLANT LEAKING FROM BACK OF INTAKE MANIFOLD,AUTO MECH. TELL ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VORTEX MOTOR, WHEN I TELL THE MECHANIC THAT MY TRUCK IS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE ,EVERY MECHANIC HAS SAID THAT HE KNOWS JUST WHERE IT IS LEAKING AND THEY ARE RIGHT EVERY TIME; IS THIS A DEFECT IN THIS MOTOR AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT I…
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COOLANT LEAKING FROM BACK OF INTAKE MANIFOLD,AUTO MECH. TELL ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VORTEX MOTOR, WHEN I TELL THE MECHANIC THAT MY TRUCK IS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE ,EVERY MECHANIC HAS SAID THAT HE KNOWS JUST WHERE IT IS LEAKING AND THEY ARE RIGHT EVERY TIME; IS THIS A DEFECT IN THIS MOTOR AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT? THANKS R. MCLAUGHLIN. MC LAUGHLIN E
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER SHOP AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DIESEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILURE. *AK
WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND WIRES SHORTED INSIDE FUEL TANK! EXPLOSION RISK.
HELLO, PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW 7/96, IN 9/96 IN CONVERSATION WITH A FLEET MECHANIC SINCE FUEL PUMP IS LOCATED IN GAS TANK I WAS ADVISED TO NOT GO BELOW 3/4 TANK OF FUEL TO PREVENT FUEL PUMP FAILUER ANY THING LOWER THAN 3/4 WILL NOT KEEP PUMP COOL AND LEAD TO FAILURE I FOLLOWED THE ADVISE. FAILURE #1 OCCURED IN 1997 "ORIGINAL…
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HELLO, PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW 7/96, IN 9/96 IN CONVERSATION WITH A FLEET MECHANIC SINCE FUEL PUMP IS LOCATED IN GAS TANK I WAS ADVISED TO NOT GO BELOW 3/4 TANK OF FUEL TO PREVENT FUEL PUMP FAILUER ANY THING LOWER THAN 3/4 WILL NOT KEEP PUMP COOL AND LEAD TO FAILURE I FOLLOWED THE ADVISE. FAILURE #1 OCCURED IN 1997 "ORIGINAL PUMP" DONT REMEMBER EXACT DATE BUT DEALER REPAIRED. FAILURE # 2 (OF THE PUMP THAT REPLACED THE FIRST ONE), OCCURD MAR. OR MAY 1999 DEALER REPLACED. BOTH FAILURES RESULTED IN TOTAL SHUT DOWN. #1 OCCURED WHILE PARKED AND #2 OCCURED WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY. RELATED ISSUE: IN JUNE 1999 FUEL FILTER REPLACED AFTER FAILURE. IN JULY 99 WHILE DRIVING IN CALIFORNIA AT HI WAY SPEEDS AND HEAVY TRAFFIC TRUCK WOULD TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN (NO FUEL NO POWER) 6 TIMES IN A 100 MILE SPAN, RESEMBLED FUEL PUMP AGAIN HOWEVER IT NO LONGER ACTED UP AFTER PARKING FOR 24HOURS. I AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE VEHICLE IN FOR SEARCH OF PROBLEM NEXT WEEK. EXCELLENT DEALER SERVICE FOR REPAIRS , AND GOOD TRUCK, BUT AM CONCEARNED WITH THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE TYPICAL PROBLEM (FUEL PUMP FAILURE) WITH OTHER GMC AND CHEVY TRUCK OWNERS I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BUT THE POTENTIAL IS THERE, IE CONGESTED TRAFFIC ETC.
Official recalls
298V150001 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Jul 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 & remedy
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.
96V057000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Apr 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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
EA00024 · Headlight
Opened Sep 26, 2000 · Closed Dec 21, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
No summary supplied.
PE00017 · Headlight
Opened Apr 11, 2000 · Closed Sep 26, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
BASED ON THE REPORTS RECEIVED BY ODI FROM CONSUMERS, FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT FROM REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OFTHE TILT STEERING WHEEL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY STRAIN THE WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT TO THE POINT OF FAILURE WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, RESULTING IN THE UNANTICIPATED LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.ODI HAS CONCERNS REGARDING THE HIGH RATE OF WARRANTY REPAIRS FOR PROBLEMS POTENTIALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WITH THE RECOGNITION THE EACH INCIDENT OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE REPRESENTS A CONDITION OF VEHICLE DISABLEMENT.IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER'S EVALUATION OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED, AND THIS OFFICE HAS INTEREST IN THE DETAILS OF THE METHODOLOGIES AND RESULTS OF THAT ASSESSMENT.