GMC SIERRA · model year

1993 GMC SIERRA

109 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1993GMCSIERRA carries 109 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1993 SIERRA is visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor with 15 filings, followed by seats (10) and visibility:windshield wiper/washer (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1993 SIERRA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

109
Complaints
9
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

109 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR15
SEATS10
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION2
TIRES2
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.2

Recent Complaints

20171108FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

RECALL SUBJECT: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY REPORT RECEIPT DATE: 04-05-1994 NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 94V044001 MANUFACTURE: GENERAL MOTORS CORP. SUMMARY: VEHICLES ALTERED BY PAS, INC. HAVE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS THAT CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION, WHICH CRACK THE E-GLASS WRAPPING. THIS STRESS CORROSION CRACKING CAN LEAD TO TANK RUPTURES. CONSEQUENCE: IF THE TANK RUPTURES, PERSONAL INJURY TO INDIVIDUALS IN OR NEAR THE VEHICLE MAY OCCUR. REMEDY: GM IS OFFERING TO EXCHANGE THESE VEHICLES WITH A COMPARABLY EQUIPPED 1994 GASOLINE 1/2 OR 3/4 TON GM PICKUP. IF THE OWNER CHOOSES NOT TO EXCHANGE THE NATURAL GAS VEHICLE, GM WILL REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE.

20171108UNKNOWN OR OTHER

RECALL SUBJECT: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY REPORT RECEIPT DATE: 04-05-1994 NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 94V044001 MANUFACTURE: GENERAL MOTORS CORP. SUMMARY: VEHICLES ALTERED BY PAS, INC. HAVE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS THAT CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION, WHICH CRACK THE E-GLASS WRAPPING. THIS STRESS CORROSION CRACKING CAN LEAD TO TANK RUPTURES. CONSEQUENCE: IF THE TANK RUPTURES, PERSONAL INJURY TO INDIVIDUALS IN OR NEAR THE VEHICLE MAY OCCUR. REMEDY: GM IS OFFERING TO EXCHANGE THESE VEHICLES WITH A COMPARABLY EQUIPPED 1994 GASOLINE 1/2 OR 3/4 TON GM PICKUP. IF THE OWNER CHOOSES NOT TO EXCHANGE THE NATURAL GAS VEHICLE, GM WILL REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE.

20130724ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I WENT OUT ONE MORNING AND STARTED MY TRUCK AND HEARD A RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I GOT OUT AND OPENED THE HOOD. ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY THE ENGINE BACKFIRED AND THE COOLING FAN BLEW APART AND FRAGMENTS OF METAL CAME THROUGH THE PLASTIC SHROUD AND INTO MY FACE AND HEAD CAUSING SERIOUS AND WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL INJURY TO MYSELF. IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE FAST RESPONSE OF THE PARAMEDICS WHO FLEW ME TO THE HOSPITAL BY CHOPPER. I AM NOW BLIND MISSING AN EYE AND MY FACE AND HEAD ARE SCARED ALONG WITH POSSIBLE BRAIN DAMAGE. PLEASE DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO KEEP THIS TRAGIC ACCIDENT FROM HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. *TR

Mileage: 210,000

20090325ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

I PURCHASED A 1993 GMC SIERRA PICKUP FOR MY SON FROM MY FATHER WHO WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER. MY FATHER TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF IT MAKING ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCES AS WE HAVE DONE AS WELL AFTER PURCHASING IT. MY SON WAS ON HIS WAY TO SCHOOL WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE TRUCK AND HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. LUCKILY HE DID NOT LOOSE CONTROL NOR DID HE CRASH HEAD ON INTO THE ON COMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. ONCE STOPPED HE COULDN'T GET THE IGNITION TO TURN OFF WITH THE KEY. HAD TO JIGGLE THE STEERING COLUMN AROUND TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. HE DID THIS WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED BACK TO OUR HOME AND ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FIXING IT. *TR

Mileage: 220,000

20090325STEERING

I PURCHASED A 1993 GMC SIERRA PICKUP FOR MY SON FROM MY FATHER WHO WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER. MY FATHER TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF IT MAKING ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCES AS WE HAVE DONE AS WELL AFTER PURCHASING IT. MY SON WAS ON HIS WAY TO SCHOOL WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. HE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE TRUCK AND HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. LUCKILY HE DID NOT LOOSE CONTROL NOR DID HE CRASH HEAD ON INTO THE ON COMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. ONCE STOPPED HE COULDN'T GET THE IGNITION TO TURN OFF WITH THE KEY. HAD TO JIGGLE THE STEERING COLUMN AROUND TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. HE DID THIS WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED BACK TO OUR HOME AND ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FIXING IT. *TR

Mileage: 220,000

20060311VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN WITH MY WIPERS ON LOW SPEED, THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED, JUST AS A TRUCK WAS PASSING ME, WITH THE ROAD WATER THROWN ON THE WINDSHIELD BY THE SEMI, I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD AHEAD. I COULD SEE IN MY SIDE MIRROR THAT I WAS CLEAR ON MY RIGHT SIDE, SO I PULLED OVER ON THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. I ALSO OWN A 1991 3/4 TON SILVERADO WHICH I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE WIPER DELAY FUNCTION, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE NOT TOTALLY STOPPED AS THE SIERRA'S DID. I SPOKE WITH SOME OTHER GM TRUCK OWNERS WHO SAY THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE WIPER SYSTEMS OF THEIR TRUCKS, SOME AS FAR BACK AS 1988 MODELS. *JB

20050413VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V159000; GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. HOWEVER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK *SC *JB

20040504VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS TO WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, CAUSING WIPERS TO STOP RUNNING RANDOMLY.*AK

Mileage: 74,000

20040422ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Mileage: 116,438

20040422FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Mileage: 116,438

20040422UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Mileage: 116,438

20040422EQUIPMENT

#1 TRANSMISSION. SLIPS OUT OF GEAR INTO NUETRAL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MUST COAST OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, TURN OFF ENGINE, WAIT, RESTART AND CONTINUE ON. NARROWLY CAUSED A COLLISION WITH A SEMI TRUCK WHILE COASTING TO SIDE OF ROAD. COMPLAINED TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW TRANS IS LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR AND WON'T SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR. #2 PAINT. STARTED CHIPPING WITHIN 6 MONTHS OLD AND LESS THAN 2500 MILES. DEALERS SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE. ROOF IS NOW RUSTED THROUGH AND HEADLINER IS HANGING DOWN. DEALER AND ZONE REP SAY GMC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE AND REFUSE TO REPAIR AND REPAINT. #3 SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AND IS VERY LOOSE. IT WOULD NOT PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH IF INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DEALER AND ZONE REP DENY RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSE TO REPAIR EXCEPT AT MY EXPENSE. #4 RADIO. RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES BY THE DEALER SINCE NEW AND THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE OR REPAIR IT AGAIN. VOLUME MUST BE TURNE

Mileage: 1,500

20040422SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

#1 TRANSMISSION. SLIPS OUT OF GEAR INTO NUETRAL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MUST COAST OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, TURN OFF ENGINE, WAIT, RESTART AND CONTINUE ON. NARROWLY CAUSED A COLLISION WITH A SEMI TRUCK WHILE COASTING TO SIDE OF ROAD. COMPLAINED TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW TRANS IS LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR AND WON'T SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR. #2 PAINT. STARTED CHIPPING WITHIN 6 MONTHS OLD AND LESS THAN 2500 MILES. DEALERS SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE. ROOF IS NOW RUSTED THROUGH AND HEADLINER IS HANGING DOWN. DEALER AND ZONE REP SAY GMC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE AND REFUSE TO REPAIR AND REPAINT. #3 SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AND IS VERY LOOSE. IT WOULD NOT PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH IF INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DEALER AND ZONE REP DENY RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSE TO REPAIR EXCEPT AT MY EXPENSE. #4 RADIO. RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES BY THE DEALER SINCE NEW AND THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE OR REPAIR IT AGAIN. VOLUME MUST BE TURNE

Mileage: 1,500

20040422POWER TRAIN

#1 TRANSMISSION. SLIPS OUT OF GEAR INTO NUETRAL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MUST COAST OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, TURN OFF ENGINE, WAIT, RESTART AND CONTINUE ON. NARROWLY CAUSED A COLLISION WITH A SEMI TRUCK WHILE COASTING TO SIDE OF ROAD. COMPLAINED TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW TRANS IS LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR AND WON'T SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR. #2 PAINT. STARTED CHIPPING WITHIN 6 MONTHS OLD AND LESS THAN 2500 MILES. DEALERS SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE. ROOF IS NOW RUSTED THROUGH AND HEADLINER IS HANGING DOWN. DEALER AND ZONE REP SAY GMC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE AND REFUSE TO REPAIR AND REPAINT. #3 SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AND IS VERY LOOSE. IT WOULD NOT PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH IF INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DEALER AND ZONE REP DENY RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSE TO REPAIR EXCEPT AT MY EXPENSE. #4 RADIO. RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES BY THE DEALER SINCE NEW AND THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE OR REPAIR IT AGAIN. VOLUME MUST BE TURNE

Mileage: 1,500

20040422UNKNOWN OR OTHER

#1 TRANSMISSION. SLIPS OUT OF GEAR INTO NUETRAL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MUST COAST OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, TURN OFF ENGINE, WAIT, RESTART AND CONTINUE ON. NARROWLY CAUSED A COLLISION WITH A SEMI TRUCK WHILE COASTING TO SIDE OF ROAD. COMPLAINED TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW TRANS IS LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR AND WON'T SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR. #2 PAINT. STARTED CHIPPING WITHIN 6 MONTHS OLD AND LESS THAN 2500 MILES. DEALERS SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE. ROOF IS NOW RUSTED THROUGH AND HEADLINER IS HANGING DOWN. DEALER AND ZONE REP SAY GMC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE AND REFUSE TO REPAIR AND REPAINT. #3 SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AND IS VERY LOOSE. IT WOULD NOT PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH IF INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DEALER AND ZONE REP DENY RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSE TO REPAIR EXCEPT AT MY EXPENSE. #4 RADIO. RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES BY THE DEALER SINCE NEW AND THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE OR REPAIR IT AGAIN. VOLUME MUST BE TURNE

Mileage: 1,500

20040422SEAT BELTS

#1 TRANSMISSION. SLIPS OUT OF GEAR INTO NUETRAL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MUST COAST OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, TURN OFF ENGINE, WAIT, RESTART AND CONTINUE ON. NARROWLY CAUSED A COLLISION WITH A SEMI TRUCK WHILE COASTING TO SIDE OF ROAD. COMPLAINED TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW TRANS IS LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR AND WON'T SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR. #2 PAINT. STARTED CHIPPING WITHIN 6 MONTHS OLD AND LESS THAN 2500 MILES. DEALERS SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE. ROOF IS NOW RUSTED THROUGH AND HEADLINER IS HANGING DOWN. DEALER AND ZONE REP SAY GMC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE AND REFUSE TO REPAIR AND REPAINT. #3 SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AND IS VERY LOOSE. IT WOULD NOT PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH IF INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DEALER AND ZONE REP DENY RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSE TO REPAIR EXCEPT AT MY EXPENSE. #4 RADIO. RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES BY THE DEALER SINCE NEW AND THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE OR REPAIR IT AGAIN. VOLUME MUST BE TURNE

Mileage: 1,500

20040422TIRES

#1 TRANSMISSION. SLIPS OUT OF GEAR INTO NUETRAL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MUST COAST OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, TURN OFF ENGINE, WAIT, RESTART AND CONTINUE ON. NARROWLY CAUSED A COLLISION WITH A SEMI TRUCK WHILE COASTING TO SIDE OF ROAD. COMPLAINED TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW TRANS IS LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR AND WON'T SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR. #2 PAINT. STARTED CHIPPING WITHIN 6 MONTHS OLD AND LESS THAN 2500 MILES. DEALERS SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE. ROOF IS NOW RUSTED THROUGH AND HEADLINER IS HANGING DOWN. DEALER AND ZONE REP SAY GMC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE AND REFUSE TO REPAIR AND REPAINT. #3 SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AND IS VERY LOOSE. IT WOULD NOT PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH IF INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DEALER AND ZONE REP DENY RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSE TO REPAIR EXCEPT AT MY EXPENSE. #4 RADIO. RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES BY THE DEALER SINCE NEW AND THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE OR REPAIR IT AGAIN. VOLUME MUST BE TURNE

Mileage: 1,500

20040422POWER TRAIN

REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION 4 TIMES, RECALL ON SEATS WERE FIXED BUT BOLTS KEEP BREAKING SO I BOUGHT NEW SEATS OF A DIFFERNT STYLE AND REPLACED THEM AFTER A 5 YEAR PROBLEM. PAINT HAS BEEN FLAKING OFF THE TRUCK FOR APPOXIMATELY 4 YRS AND I CANT GET THE DEALER OR GM TO DO ANYTHING WITH THIS PAINT PROBLEM. THEY SAY IT IS BECAUSE I AM THE SECOND OWNER. THE TRUCK WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BUT THE TOP OF THE CAB AND THE BED IS ALL THAT NEEDS PAINTED, AND THEY WERE NOT DAMAGED IN ANYWAY BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 150,000

20040422UNKNOWN OR OTHER

REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION 4 TIMES, RECALL ON SEATS WERE FIXED BUT BOLTS KEEP BREAKING SO I BOUGHT NEW SEATS OF A DIFFERNT STYLE AND REPLACED THEM AFTER A 5 YEAR PROBLEM. PAINT HAS BEEN FLAKING OFF THE TRUCK FOR APPOXIMATELY 4 YRS AND I CANT GET THE DEALER OR GM TO DO ANYTHING WITH THIS PAINT PROBLEM. THEY SAY IT IS BECAUSE I AM THE SECOND OWNER. THE TRUCK WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BUT THE TOP OF THE CAB AND THE BED IS ALL THAT NEEDS PAINTED, AND THEY WERE NOT DAMAGED IN ANYWAY BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 150,000

20040412VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF OWN THEIR OWN. *AK WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. GENERAL MOTOR CORPORATION (GM) ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL ON 1994-1996 GMC LIGHT TRUCKS, AND TRUCK'S WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. *LA

Mileage: 75,000

Compare 1993GMCSIERRA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 GMC SIERRA have?
The 1993 GMC SIERRA has 109 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 GMC SIERRA?
The most-complained component for the 1993 GMC SIERRA is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR with 15 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEATS and VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER.
Is the 1993 GMC SIERRA 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.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. 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.