1996 GMC Sierra
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › GMC › Sierra › 1996
These records cover every 1996 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 1996 GMC Sierra. Newest first.
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 and remedy
Risk
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.
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 and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
246 complaints19 involved a crash3 involved a fire14 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Vehicle speed control
I was traveling down the interstate and the throttle cable was stuck wide open and I reached speeds of almost 100 in heavy traffic
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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. although these problems persisted, the vehicle was not seen by a dealer.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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…
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 a complete stop. I then gradually accelerated and shifted manually, but was only able to acheive 1ST gear. I had to have the vehicle towed 150 miles to my house where it still sits three months later with only reverse and 1ST gear operable at this time.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
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
- Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments
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 trhee yeras of purchase. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Vehicle leaks anti-freeze from vicinity of upper intake manifold. Chronic problem. Occurs after vehicle has set for 3-5 hours after running. Does not appear to be leaking into crankcase. Had system pressure tested. Told to monitor to see if it IS getting into oil. Leaks about 1-2 tablespoons per shut down. Enough to be noticeable
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring
My windshield wipers only work intermitedly and I found the recal for it on this site. 996 GMC sierra pickup..the dealorship IS saying even though my wipers are broken they cannot repair for free because my particular vin # isn't on the list. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
The brake line above the gas tank rusted and failed while it was being driven. there was no forewarning of this and as it was above the gas tank, would not have been noticed. the gas tank had to be dropped and the brake line replaced. thank goodness the vehicle stopped before rearending the…
The brake line above the gas tank rusted and failed while it was being driven. there was no forewarning of this and as it was above the gas tank, would not have been noticed. the gas tank had to be dropped and the brake line replaced. thank goodness the vehicle stopped before rearending the vehicle in front of me and thank goodness my one year old wasn't in the vehicle at the time. old part has been retained. repair cost was $458.21.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
The windshield wipers worked intermittently the dealer refused to replace them. *jb
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Recall concerning windshield wiper motor circuit board in 1996 GMC sierra.*mr *cb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Complaint rusted brake lines to rear brakes in behind fuel tank. *la
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
On the evening of june 15,2004, my husband was driving our 1996 GMC sierra 2500 deisel pickup truck home. While driving up a long, steep grade the gas pedal stuck down and the truck would not shift gears. My husband had to slam on the brake pedal and then the gas pedal released with a popping sound. The truck will still not shift gears. The cruise control was not on. *Ak
- Electrical system
Owner says the remote control mirrors on the vehicle caught fire while the key was not in the ignition and the vehicle was turned off. Owner contacted the dealer and was told that although his vehicle looks like the 1997 and that vehicle was recalled for this issue and this vehicle IS not being recalled. Provide further details. *nm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Traveling on dry pavement at ~ 30 mph, sudden stop due to traffic. brake pedal initially had good brake then went to the floor. all brake lost, collided into vehicle ahead of me and pushed them into vehicle ahead of them. vehicle stalled due to collision, restarted truck and all brake operation…
Traveling on dry pavement at ~ 30 mph, sudden stop due to traffic. brake pedal initially had good brake then went to the floor. all brake lost, collided into vehicle ahead of me and pushed them into vehicle ahead of them. vehicle stalled due to collision, restarted truck and all brake operation appeared to be good. took vehicle to dealer for analysis, contacted gm customer support filed complaint, dealer inspection showed no failure of ABS or other components. gm field tech went to dealer inspection report found no reason for failure could not duplicate failure. gm denies any responsibility or suggestions for repair. *nm
- Tires › Tread/belt
While driving 45 mph front passenger side tire tread blew out. consumer managed to pull over, and had the tire changed. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Size p18575r/14 dot v94j7591179. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Driving along hwy 71 east, fell asleep at the wheel and ran into the back of the vehicle in front of me. There was considerable damage to both vehicles. The air bag system in my steering wheel did not deploy. Only because I was asleep did I avoid serious injury and also I was wearing my seatbelt. The problem has not been corrected at this time.*k
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Inoperative wipers, operate intermittently. *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
"Refer to prior complaint- ID vq-528687-yn-pdf" when a wheel skids a very,very,very short distance while braking, ABS does not engage but locks out conventional braking! no brakes, no stop. when towing a 7000+ pound load it gives you a very negative thrill. no fix from dealer or GMC…
"Refer to prior complaint- ID vq-528687-yn-pdf" when a wheel skids a very,very,very short distance while braking, ABS does not engage but locks out conventional braking! no brakes, no stop. when towing a 7000+ pound load it gives you a very negative thrill. no fix from dealer or GMC, tried many, many times. removed 60 amp ABS fuse! truck stops but it IS not what should be done. I have driven the truck 116000 miles, 40000 with the fuse removed. do you have any suggestions other than junking it, replacing the fuse and killing myself and others, etc. please advise. it appears to be very similar to the ABS problem on 1995 and earlier trucks that prompted a (mfg?) recall but GMC denies it. at that time I spoke with the representative that was investigating the ABS problem. explained to him what I thought would give him the best chance to duplicate the problem. I found out later that it was determined that the ABS computer had a programming problem and I believe GMC developed a fix for it. what can you do to help me on this?
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Request for reimbursement for replacement of defective wiper circuit.*mr GMC initially denied request to cover the cost of repairs. The consumer then replaced the part himself. Afterwards, he sought reimbursement. Since the consumer didn't provide the receipt for the replaced part, GMC wouldn't reimburse him the $161.00 dollars. *ph
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
While driving and attempting to turn left lost steering control. Dealer indicated call nhtsa.*ak
- Fuel system, diesel
Problem in fuel system (likely the fuel pump or related component) in 1996 GMC sierra with 6.5 l diesel . causes engine to shut down completely. happened while pulling travel trailer on two lane road with no shoulder and numerous other times. no engine code displayed during event so dealer says they can't fix problem without code.*ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
The vehicle's driver side seat back bolt broke without warning. *nm the bolts attached the seat back to the seat frame broke which caused the seat to recline all the way back and not lock into position. *sc *jb
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Windshield wipers get stuck, move, and will stop. Then, they will start up again, and stop. A module was installed. Currently, windshield wipers do not work at all. Dealership stated that vehicle had another problem, a burning smell, that was not related to the recall, and they won't do any other repairs. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
While 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
- Seat belts
Passenger side seat belt failed. *Ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Windshield wiper failure
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.
- Headlight
- Headlight
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…
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.
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.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10232287This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10209734This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 10017191Supplement to bulletin 99-06-04-047a for fuel system cleaning.
- 10014959Replacement of connector when replacing fuel tank module/fuel pump module.
- 10010375Service engine soon light and p0300 when towing, cruising uphill or on hard acceleration.
- 10007838Diagnostic information for intermittent transmission downshift, slip, busy/cycling tcc or noisy cooling fan.
- 10007717Engine coolant leak at intake gasket. * mj
- 10005439Malfunction indicator lamp on with a p0300 set and a misfire. Various models including 1996 - 1999 P32 models. Sit bulletin 1416475.
- 10005412Spring slap noise from the rear of the gmt 400 series truck.
- 10004371Rattle noise in engine.
- 10004301Rattle noise in engine.
- 10004223Malfunction indicator lamp on with a p0300 set and a misfire. Various models including the 1996-1999 P32 and the 1996-2002 GMC c/k truck.
- 10004214Poor performance from a stop in 2WD, auto or 4WD hi. 2003, 2003 cadillac ext also included.
- 10002567Windshield wiper failure due to cracked boulder joints on the controller circuit board. This special policy covers the condition for a period of seven years or 70,000 miles, whichever occurs first from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service regardless of ownership or for these vehicles currently outside of this coverage until february 29, 2004.
- 10001125Special policy adjustment - windshield wiper motor failures.
- 10000749Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds on various models including the 1995 and 1996 envoy.
- 10000062Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds.
- 634999Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case. 2006 and prior cars and light duty trucks.
- 615106Product recall campaign involving windshield wiper motor replacement.
Every GMC Sierra model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.