Total Complaints
7 filings
GMC Sierra 1500 · model year
1996 GMC Sierra 1500
7 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 0
The verdict
The 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 posts top-5% complaint standing among its own model-year siblings.
- Top 3%
- fewest complaints, own model years
- 0
- recall campaigns
The 1996GMCSierra 1500 carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1996 Sierra 1500 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 2 filings, followed by electrical system (1) and tires (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1996 Sierra 1500. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
7
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
1996 GMC Sierra 1500
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20110717FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I'M GOING TO LIST EVERY SAFETY DEFECT WITH MY 1996 GMC SIERRA SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2008. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT I HEARD A SWISHING SOUND IN THE HEATER CORE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST LOW ON ANTI FREEZE AND THAT MY REPAIR FACILITY COULD FIX THE AIR BAG; BUT AS IT TURNS OUT THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BAD AND I COULDN'T AFFORD TO GET THE AIR BAG FIXED. THE SWISHING SOUND WAS CAUSED BY AIR IN THE COOLING SYSTEM DUE TO A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET; IT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR 600.00 $. A BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT (YES I KNOW IT'S AN OLD TRUCK), THE FUEL LINES ARE RUSTING AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED SOON, AND THE OIL COOLER LINES ARE LEAKING BECAUSE GM VEHICLES HAVE FLUID LINES THAT ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS DON'T ALWAYS TURN ON WHEN IT'S RAINING BECAUSE OF CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS IN THE CONTROL MODULE AND I REPLACED A HEATER/FAN MOTOR. I PULLED MY ABS FUSE AND DISABLED THE SYSTEM BECAU
Mileage: 147,657
20110717ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I'M GOING TO LIST EVERY SAFETY DEFECT WITH MY 1996 GMC SIERRA SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2008. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT I HEARD A SWISHING SOUND IN THE HEATER CORE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST LOW ON ANTI FREEZE AND THAT MY REPAIR FACILITY COULD FIX THE AIR BAG; BUT AS IT TURNS OUT THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BAD AND I COULDN'T AFFORD TO GET THE AIR BAG FIXED. THE SWISHING SOUND WAS CAUSED BY AIR IN THE COOLING SYSTEM DUE TO A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET; IT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR 600.00 $. A BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT (YES I KNOW IT'S AN OLD TRUCK), THE FUEL LINES ARE RUSTING AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED SOON, AND THE OIL COOLER LINES ARE LEAKING BECAUSE GM VEHICLES HAVE FLUID LINES THAT ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS DON'T ALWAYS TURN ON WHEN IT'S RAINING BECAUSE OF CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS IN THE CONTROL MODULE AND I REPLACED A HEATER/FAN MOTOR. I PULLED MY ABS FUSE AND DISABLED THE SYSTEM BECAU
Mileage: 147,657
20110717STRUCTURE
I'M GOING TO LIST EVERY SAFETY DEFECT WITH MY 1996 GMC SIERRA SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2008. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT I HEARD A SWISHING SOUND IN THE HEATER CORE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST LOW ON ANTI FREEZE AND THAT MY REPAIR FACILITY COULD FIX THE AIR BAG; BUT AS IT TURNS OUT THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BAD AND I COULDN'T AFFORD TO GET THE AIR BAG FIXED. THE SWISHING SOUND WAS CAUSED BY AIR IN THE COOLING SYSTEM DUE TO A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET; IT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR 600.00 $. A BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT (YES I KNOW IT'S AN OLD TRUCK), THE FUEL LINES ARE RUSTING AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED SOON, AND THE OIL COOLER LINES ARE LEAKING BECAUSE GM VEHICLES HAVE FLUID LINES THAT ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS DON'T ALWAYS TURN ON WHEN IT'S RAINING BECAUSE OF CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS IN THE CONTROL MODULE AND I REPLACED A HEATER/FAN MOTOR. I PULLED MY ABS FUSE AND DISABLED THE SYSTEM BECAU
Mileage: 147,657
20100830TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GMC SIERRA 1500 WITH COOPER DISCOVERY H/T P325 75/R15 TIRES. THE DOT NUMBER FOR THE FRONT TIRES WAS 3DHL AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS UTHL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF THE FOUR COOPER TIRES ON THE VEHICLE HAVE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE TWO FRONT TIRES AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAD ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE FRONT TIRES THREE YEARS AGO AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FIVE YEARS AGO. THE TIRE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE FRONT TIRES HAD 20000 MILES AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAD 30000 MILES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED.
Mileage: 125,000
20080320FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR TWO WEEKS. RECEIVED CALL AT WORK THAT MY VEHICLE WAS BURNING. FIRE DEPT. EXTINGUISHED,NO CLUE OF WHAT STARTED IT. HAD ONLY LIABILITY COVERAGE. PURCHASED NEW 1ST EVER OWNED. VEHICLE IS STILL HERE HAVE NOT TOUCHED IT. *TR
Mileage: 140,000
20070424SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GMC SIERRA 1500 EXTENDED CAB. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE OR STOP THE VEHICLE THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED, AND THE VEHICLE TOOK LONGER TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED RECALL # 05V379000 CONCERNING SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE CONTACT WILL HAVE THIS PROCEDURE COMPLETED BEFORE THE HARD COPY OF THE IVOQ ARRIVES AND WILL SUBMIT A COPY OF THE REPAIR INVOICE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 130,000 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *AK
Mileage: 110,000
20060805CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH MY ABS IN THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK IN THE PAST YEAR. WELL MY TRUCK IS NOW OFF THE ROAD SO I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY MOTHERS TRUCK AND HERS IS STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING ITS MAKES LIKE A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT WE TOOK OFF THE TIRES AND THE BRAKES WERE FINE WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT ELSE COULD BE WRONG AND THEN A FRIEND SAID ITS THE ABS SENSORS SYSTEM. *JB
Compare 1996GMCSierra 1500 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Vehicle Safety Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 have?▼
The 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 has 7 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500?▼
The most-complained component for the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and TIRES.
Is the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.