1989 GMC Sierra
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › GMC › Sierra › 1989
These records cover every 1989 GMC Sierra. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1989 GMC Sierra. Newest first.
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 and remedy
Risk
Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Remedy
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.
Owner complaints
16 complaints2 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Steering
I was driving my truck and the day of 27TH of february 2010 and when I was turning the steering wheel it was sticking like the steering gear box was locking up then it came loose again so on the day of march first 2010 I was making a left hand turn and the steering wheel started to go wild and…
I was driving my truck and the day of 27TH of february 2010 and when I was turning the steering wheel it was sticking like the steering gear box was locking up then it came loose again so on the day of march first 2010 I was making a left hand turn and the steering wheel started to go wild and locked up to where I couldn't get it back to the right and it made me crash into two vehicles because of the steering wheel being stuck. It just got a brand new power steering pump put in and it was not that and all the tie rods are in great shape and it still IS hard to turn now and it sticks to one side when its turned that way. *Tr
- Seat belts
Seat belts do not function properly, fail to retract and react to sudden stop. Seat belts are a safety issue and a law in most states and should be replaced by manufacturer. *Tr
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
1) over years of operation;2) buckle failed to catch the seat belt 3) probably have a recall to replace the buckle. summary: seat belt stopped working. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Consumer applied brakes at 25 mph and brakes locked up. Driver stopped, and noticed half of the rotors on front had sheared off.*ak
- Electrical system › Starter assembly
Starter mount broke away from block. Repair consist of motor block replacement.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Drivers side seat belt latch will not latch. Body shop reports that the inturnal workings have come apperent. *Ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
PE00 020; consumer was traveling about 50mph on the highway and heard a noise, tire tread flapping against under well of vehicle. right rear passenger's tire tread separated. tire was a firestone, p23575r15 m/s. consumer wasn't hurt. consumer contacted firestone.*ak firestone p235/75/r15 *mw
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Over the 12 year period of ownership of this pickup we've experienced 45 different serious braking incidents. They actually started in 7/13/89 and there was warranty work done. In 1990 we first experienced a braking/ glide /stop incident that took us past a stop sign.truck center/hall truck center…
Over the 12 year period of ownership of this pickup we've experienced 45 different serious braking incidents. They actually started in 7/13/89 and there was warranty work done. In 1990 we first experienced a braking/ glide /stop incident that took us past a stop sign.truck center/hall truck center did some warranty work on this brakes on 5/30/91 @48000. They lost the GMC pickup franchise. In 1998 gm customer service gave me claim # 98250220 and sent me to curt warner buick GMC (now bellevue buick GMC). I got GMC brake service bulletin #905e69from your agency and gave it to theserv. Mgr who then drove it. He couldn't duplicate problemsdriving it and did not perform any diagnostic tests..and said he could get no action or help from GMC. Pursued again 5/30/00 with GMC customer service..sent back to same dealership location different name and staff.on 6/5/00 submitted letter with log of incidences. Service mgr says gave data to GMC rep who will contact me. Sofar no action. Am not using vehicle and won't let family use. Want to sell. Feel it IS unsafe. Have much documentation and several witnesses to some of these brake, glide, stop incidents and several rear wheel lock ups when braking. Potentially lots of more mileage and use. Heard gm had other similar problems on these models. Can you help me get action to get this vehicle in a safe condition? *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
At the beginning of may the intake manifold gasket blew then about 1 1/2 weeks later the main engine bearing went out and the vehicle doesn't have 100,000 and isn't used in any extreme manner except to go back forth from work and other family essentials. what do we do? We've replaced the parts and…
At the beginning of may the intake manifold gasket blew then about 1 1/2 weeks later the main engine bearing went out and the vehicle doesn't have 100,000 and isn't used in any extreme manner except to go back forth from work and other family essentials. what do we do? We've replaced the parts and engine but these parts just don't go out on a well maintained truck. We do the oil every 3000 and everything... Help. Thanks mike brown. *Ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system · Service brakes, air › Antilock · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Vehicle speed control
No summary.
- Structure › Body
Original paint on vehicle IS peeling.
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering wheel stiff, hard to turn. Has to force steering wheel back to original position after turning. Took to mechanic & could not tell if gear box or not. *ak
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights
The rear brake light sockets are corroded and the rear brake lights no longer operate. *ak
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights
Brake light socket broke. *ak
- Seat belts
3 out of 4 seat belts that are equipped in vehicle have broken due to poorly designed buckles. *ak
- Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cable · Wheels
Hit a pothole on road and wheel fell into hole, there was enough downward wheel travel to pull parking brake cables tight, causing rear wheels to lock up. *Ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- W-car hinge pin failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10209734This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 10162150This Preliminary information communicates a customer concern ofIPC gauges inoperative or fluctuate, No Start,No Crank,SIR Light / Service Airbag Message, Service Suspension Message,Radio display blank, Steering Wheel Controls (SWC) not illuminated, Turn Signal no audible feedback,HVAC controls inoperative. During diagnostics a technician may find any of the following DTC's: B1011, B1370, B3980, U0020, U0029, U007D, U0073, U0078, U0100, U0101, U0102, U0104, U0140, U0151, U0155, U0164,U0184, U0186, U0198, U0422. Dealer is instructed to check Serial Data Gateway Module X2 connector for terminal concerns and repair as needed.
- 10007838Diagnostic information for intermittent transmission downshift, slip, busy/cycling tcc or noisy cooling fan.
- 10005412Spring slap noise from the rear of the gmt 400 series truck.
Every GMC Sierra model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.