MYRModel Year Report

1996 GMC Sierra

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1996 GMC Sierra
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
246
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Visibility

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1987: 1 complaint 1988: 6 complaints 1989: 16 complaints 1989 1990: 18 complaints 1991: 12 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 72 complaints 1994: 190 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1996 246 1997: 238 complaints 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 600 complaints 2000: 443 complaints 2001: 264 complaints 2001 2002: 249 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 188 complaints 2005: 117 complaints 2005 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 59 complaints 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2009 2010: 34 complaints 2011: 43 complaints 2012: 29 complaints 2013: 39 complaints 2013 2014: 101 complaints 2015: 53 complaints 2016: 6 complaints 2017: 61 complaints 2017
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 6 complaints 1989: 16 complaints 1989 1990: 18 complaints 1991: 12 complaints 1991 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 72 complaints 1993 1994: 190 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1996 246 1997: 238 complaints 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 600 complaints 1999 2000: 443 complaints 2001: 264 complaints 2001 2002: 249 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2003 2004: 188 complaints 2005: 117 complaints 2005 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 59 complaints 2007 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2009 2010: 34 complaints 2011: 43 complaints 2011 2012: 29 complaints 2013: 39 complaints 2013 2014: 101 complaints 2015: 53 complaints 2015 2016: 6 complaints 2017: 61 complaints 2017
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 6 complaints 1989: 16 complaints 1989 1990: 18 complaints 1991: 12 complaints 1991 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 72 complaints 1993 1994: 190 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1996 246 1997: 238 complaints 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 600 complaints 1999 2000: 443 complaints 2001: 264 complaints 2001 2002: 249 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2003 2004: 188 complaints 2005: 117 complaints 2005 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 59 complaints 2007 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2009 2010: 34 complaints 2011: 43 complaints 2011 2012: 29 complaints 2013: 39 complaints 2013 2014: 101 complaints 2015: 53 complaints 2015 2016: 6 complaints 2017: 61 complaints 2017

1996: 246 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19821
19832
19871
19886
198916
199018
199112
199230
199372
1994190
1995261
1996246
1997238
1998190
1999600
2000443
2001264
2002249
2003206
2004188
2005117
200653
200759
200868
200937
201034
201143
201229
201339
2014101
201553
20166
201761

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Visibility

35% · 85 reports

Most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

FIRE

Service brakes

23% · 57 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

11% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

FIRE

Seats

9% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing recliner and mid/rear assembly.

Air bags

7% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-05-14

The vehicle was in frontal collision and none of the air bags deployed upon impact. The vehicle was totaled.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-07

Brakes failed, causing accident, also airbag failed in accident.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-12-31

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 246 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1996-04-11Vehicle speed control96V057000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1998-12-15Visibility98V150001 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2000-04-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-09-26 Headlight
  5. I
    2000-09-26Engineering analysisClosed 2001-12-21 Headlight
  6. I
    2002-05-31Engineering analysisClosed 2003-07-23 Windshield wiper failure

Buy-smart checklist

1996 GMC Sierra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Visibility: 85 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 57 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 26 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V057000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 98V150001 · Visibility
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 GMC Sierra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 GMC Sierra is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC Sierra?
The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Sierra have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.