1996 GMC Sierra problems
Owners have filed 310 complaints about the 1996 GMC Sierra with NHTSA. Visibility accounts for 27.7% of them — the clear leader, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 18.1%.
Complaints310
Crashes20
Fires8
Injuries14
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Visibility 27.7% · 86
Service brakes, hydraulic 18.1% · 56
Power train 8.7% · 27
Seats 7.4% · 23
Fuel system, gasoline 5.5% · 17
Air bags 5.2% · 16
Exterior lighting 4.5% · 14
Vehicle speed control 4.2% · 13
Severity
Of those complaints, 20 describe a crash, 8 describe a fire and 14 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 14 model years of the GMC Sierra in this data, 1996 sits 5th by complaint volume. 1999 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 73 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 83,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Recall 98v150001/windshield wiper wiring: vehiclewindshield wipers work intermittently. Problem can result in inoperative windshield wipers reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing risk of a vehicle crash. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under recall due to vin. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter. Visibility
Sometimes windshield wipers will come on and sometimes they will not. Sometimes the wipers will come on consumer bumps them with hand. Sometimes the windshield wipers quit working in the middle of operation. Dealer was called about thie problem. Owner was told that truck was not included in recall. The problem has not been corrected. Please provide any further information. Visibility
My problem exists (exactly) as described in your recall database, nhtsa campaign id number: 98v150001. I inspected the circuit card and found the cracked solder joints as you described. GMC customer assistance advises that my vin is not covered by the recall. Perhaps there are more vehicles on the road with this dangerous problem than GMC admitted. Visibility
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…