1990 GMC Sierra

Routine

Owners filed 18 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip6
100
Power Train › Automatic Transmission2
020
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Tires › Sidewall1
000
Tires1
000
Structure › Frame and Members1
000
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights08E050000
Filed Aug 11, 20081,921 vehiclesK2 Motor Corporation

Defect. K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor93V119000
Filed Aug 2, 1993341,364 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.

Risk. SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train › Automatic TransmissionFire
Filed Jun 15, 201055,000 milesCO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEALS WERE LEAKING AROUND THE TRANSMISSION AND WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,880. THE LEFT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FELL OFF, THE MAGNET COVER PLATE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL CAME OFF AND RUINED THE REAR END TWICE. THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL SEALS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE LOST FLUID, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED, THE CLUTCH FAN BROKE , THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT TURN TO THE LEFT AS EASY AS THE RIGHT, THE SEAT BELTS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY, THE VALVE GUIDES FAILED ON THE ENGINE, THE ABS WAS INOPERATIVE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER COMPONENT CAME ON WHEN WATER WOULD GET ON THE UNIT AND THEY WOULD NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL THE UNIT DRIED OUT/ THE TORSION BAR SUPPORT WAS FATIGUED, THE REAR BRAKES DID NOT ADJUST THEMSELVES PROPERLY AND THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT WORK. UPDATED EVOQ 08/05/10

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Jan 26, 2006MI

DRIVER'S DOOR IS SAGGING, IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE HINGE , I AM GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE IT IN TO GET IT FIXED, AS IT DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY NOW.*AK

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Nov 10, 2005176,663 milesMA

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE IN A REPAIR SHOP AWAITING VEHICLE MAINTENANCE IT WAS NOTED THERE WERE CRACKS ON THE SIDE WALL OF ALL FOUR TIRES. HE WENT TO THE TIRE DEALER FROM WHERE THEY WERE PURCHASED, AND THE TIRE SHOP SAID THEY WOULD OFFER COST ASSISTANCE FOR REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TIRE IS A COOPER MASTERCRAFT AT, 265/75/R16. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 23, 2001MO

BRAKE PEDAL FEELS SPONGY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. PROBLEM HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE FRONT DISC PADS AND THE REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS HAD BEEN REPLACED BUT THE BRAKE STILL GOES TO THE FLOOR. CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS INDICATED THAT THE 88,89 AND 90 MODELS HAD THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *YH

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Nov 24, 2000MS

TIRE SEPARATION; DAMAGE TO SPORTS SIDE FENDER WELL AND TAILPIPE. REQUIRED WHEEL WELL REPLACEMENT AND PAINTING.*AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

Tires
Filed Sep 1, 2000MI

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH OR SOMETIMES ABOUT 55 MPH VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING WITHOUT A WARNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,AND THEY FOUND OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WERE THE TIRES. FIRESTONE WILDERNES HT 235/ 75 R 15. *AK TWO OF THE FOUR TIRES HAVE CRACK LINE AROUND TREAD CAP. *YH

Seats
Filed May 22, 2000CT

SEAT FRAME IS CRACKED UNDER SEAT. SEAT REMAINS VERY UNSTABLE. POTENTIAL FOR SEAT COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Mar 20, 2000TN

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH DRIVER'S AND MIDDLE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILING TO LOCK PROPERLY. BUCKLE WOULD UNLATCH BY ITSELF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *ML

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 31, 1999MO

EXCESSIVE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PAD.; FRONT PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH CAN LEAD TO A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 23, 1999CA

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKES WORK INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES DON'T STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK *YC

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 24, 1998TN

BRAKES HAVE FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER TWICE, ALLOWING VEHICLE TO ROLL INTO AN INTERSECTION.

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionFire
Filed Apr 17, 1998MN

TRANSMISSION FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Dec 11, 1997SC

FRONT BRAKES FAILED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Dec 4, 1997OR

WHENEVER THE ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD CONTINUE TO THE FLOOR BEFORE SLOWING/STOPPING VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STOP FURTHER THAN IT SHOULD. ITS AN INTERMITTEN PROBLEM. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Oct 21, 1997NM

WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE/ BRAKE FADE AWAY, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE DUMP VALVE WITHIN THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE DUMP VALVE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 28, 1997TX

OWNER HAS ABS BRAKES, HE STATES THAT HE HAS A LOW BRAKE PEDAL AND THAT HE HAS A DUMP VALVE LEAK WITHIN THE HYDRAULICS. *AK

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 25, 1996CA

CRACK IN FRONT SUPPORT MAIN FRAME.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Aug 27, 1996IN

MASTER CYLINDER FAILED.

18 of 18 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201761010Routine
20166210Routine
201553610Routine
20141011220Do not drive
201339310Routine
201229220Routine
201143200Routine
201034120Routine
200937100Routine
200868200Routine
200759220Routine
200653630Routine
20051171120Routine
20041881050Routine
2003206912Fatalities reported
2002249720Above average
2001264725Fatalities reported
20004431232Fatalities reported
1999600921Fatalities reported
1998190080Routine
1997238050Above average
1996246230Above average
1995261600Above average
1994190320Routine
199372310Routine
199230420Routine
199112200Routine
1990 — this page18220Routine

Compare every Sierra year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 11, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.