1995 GMC Sierra

Above average

Owners filed 261 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility › windshield wiper/washer › motor. It has been recalled 6 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor85
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer40
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip29
302
Seats14
000
Air Bags › Frontal9
905
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner5
101
Tires › Tread/Belt4
001
Power Train › Automatic Transmission4
100
Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer › Motor3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings3
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer98V150001
Filed Jul 1, 19981,557,585 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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 INTERMITTENTLY.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

Vehicle Speed Control96V057000
Filed Apr 4, 1996379,004 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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 STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

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.

Seat Belts › Front95V242000
Filed Dec 13, 199540 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH FRONT SEAT BELT SYSTEMS WITH NO ENERGY MANAGEMENT LOOPS AND MAY NOT MEET THE HEAD INJURY CRITERIA REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANTS OF THESE SEATS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RETRACTOR PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY(S) WITH ONE HAVING THE NEWLY DESIGNED ENERGY-MANAGEMENT TWIN-LOOP SYSTEM.

Seat Belts › Front95V241000
Filed Dec 13, 1995630,099 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. IF BOTH THE LAP-BELT AND SHOULDER-BELT ENERGY MANAGEMENT LOOPS ON THE FRONT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES RELEASE AT OR NEAR THE SAME TIME, ACCELERATION FORCES CAN CAUSE THE BUCKLE RELEASE MECHANISM TO ACTIVATE AND ALLOW THE BUCKLE TO SEPARATE FROM THE LATCH.

Risk. IF THE BUCKLE RELEASED, THE SYSTEM WOULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT PROTECTION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE STITCHING THAT CREATES THE ENERGY MANAGEMENT LOOP IN THE SHOULDER BELT(S).

Power Train › Automatic Transmission95V139000
Filed Jul 26, 199536,641 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT-CABLE LOCK CLIP CAN BACK OUT OF ITS INSTALLED POSITION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CABLE ADJUSTMENT. WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION, THE "PARK" INDICATOR LIGHT MAY NOT ILLUMINATE.

Risk. THE VEHICLE CAN MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT NOTICE THAT THE INDICATOR LIGHT IS NOT ON AND DOES NOT APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ADJUST THE SHIFT CABLE AND INSTALL A LOCK CLIP.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit and Lines95V026000
Filed Feb 16, 199513,853 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. DUE TO A THIN CASE CASTING, AN EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION LEAK CAN OCCUR.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE TRANSMISSION OIL TO SPRAYONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND RESULT IN A POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION CASE ASSEMBLY FOR THE INVOLVED CASE CASTING. IF THE ASSEMBLY IS INVOLVED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 17, 2023IN

Part:Air bag Available:yes Safety: hit windshield twice after a frontal impact @ 50mph Inspected: no can't get anyone to look into it Warning: None Injuries:laceration on right side face from impacting windshield Looks as if it started to then stopped 2nd owner truck No prior wrecks Took 13 stiches to fix my face Vehicle:religiously maintained If air bag would've deployed would have not sustained any injuries

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 14, 2023IN

Vehicle was regularly maintained and did not show any air bag codes on a reader. Was told by tow truck driver a new ball joint failed after recently being replaced. This caused me to lose steering around a small bend and lead me to go straight into a guardrail at 55mph. Upon impact of guardrail and a 10foot drop off the air bag never went off upon a 55mph head on impact. I had be rushed to hospital and with request for lifeline but was unavailable. I spent day and half in hospital and had to have 15 stiches put in my face from where impacted the windshield 2 or 3 times. Insurance totaled out the vehicle however still in possession of it and just ems ride to e.r. cost $3600. The contact stated the police report indicates brake failure or defective(unit 1).

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 14, 2016125,000 milesMO

WHILE TOWING OUR 42 FOOT CAMPER WITH THE 1 TON GMC DUALLY TRUCK WE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF TRUCK BRAKING CAUSING US TO RUN THRU A RED SIGNAL LIGHT. THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED AND BURST LEAVING VERY LITTLE BRAKING FROM TRUCK. THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED BY A GM DEALER ONLY 6 MONTHS AGO AND WERE DEEMED OK AFTER A 1200 DOLLAR REPAIR BILL TO REPLACE REAR BRAKES. . THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE WITH SUCH A CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF BRAKING . THIS TRUCK IS MADE FOR TOWING AND SHOULD NEVER HAVE THE BRAKING EVER BE COMPROMISED. THE TRUCK HAS 125000 MILES AND SHOULD HAVE HAD A MORE DURABLE DESIGN INTEGRATED INTO THE BRAKE LINES.THERE ALSO WAS AN ENHANCED CHANCE FOR FIRE SINCE BRAKE FLUID WAS SPRAYED ON ENGINE WHEN BRAKES FAILED.

Seats
Filed Feb 13, 2006137,400 milesGA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT IT MOVES FREELY. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT FRAME IS BREAKING AWAY FROM THE FLOOR BOARD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Oct 6, 2005CO

DT: THE VEHICLE WILL GO FASTER THAN THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE THE CONSUMER APPLIES TO THE GAS PEDAL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 TIMES. THERE HAVE BEEN TWO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST WAS ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, AND SHE WENT TO HAVE IT REPLACED WHEN SHE DISCOVERED THE SECOND RECALL. THE SECOND WAS FOR THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE CONSUMER AND THE DEALER THOUGHT THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE REASON FOR THE PROBLEM. SHE HAD THE RECALL DONE ON 7-25-05. THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED AGAIN ON 8-12-05. SHE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY TOLD HER THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL ISSUE. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE BUTTERFLY INTAKE. WHEN SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY TOLD HER TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA, AND SHE DID. SO. *AK *JB

Structure
Filed Aug 12, 2005NJ

DT: WATER COMES THROUGH THE BACK OF THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND DRIPS INTO THE PASSENGERS SIDE FLOOR BOARD. A MECHANIC POINTED OUT THERE WAS RUST SO HE GLUED IT, BUT IT DID NOT HELP. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Aug 1, 200584,068 milesPA

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THERE IS MASSIVE RUST ON THE REAR BRAKE LINE. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO RUPTURE. BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT, CAUSING A PROBLEM WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE DEALER DID NOT REMOVE THE OLD BRAKE LINE WHEN THEY INSTALLED A NEW ONE. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Feb 4, 2005MN

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED TO OPERATE, REDUCING DRIVER'S VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. *BF RECALL CAMPAIGN: THE CONSUMER READ ABOUT RECALL 98V150001 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR BUT WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *NM

Fuel System, Other › Fuel Injection System
Filed Sep 28, 2004159,000 milesCA

THE VEHICLE'S FUEL SOLENOID DRIVER FAILED. *NM THE CONSUMERS COMPLAINT IS A CONSERN ON THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL SOLENOID DRIVER WHICH IS AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT MOUNTED ON TH FUEL INJECTION PUMP ON 6.5 LITER TURBO DIESEL ENGINES WITH ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION AND INSTALLED IN GENERAL MOTORS LIGHT TRUCKS AND SUV'S FROM 1994-1999. THE CONSUMER VEHICLE STALLED AT 41000 MILES ON THE INJECTION PUMP. THE CONSUMER HAD THE PUMP REPLACED AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *TC

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jul 19, 2004143,000 milesGA

HAD FULL-SIZE PICK-UP TRUCK WITH 4 OPEN COUNTRY 410 TIRES FROM TOYO WITH APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MILES ON THEM. TIRES WERE REGULARLY ROTATED AND PRESSURE CHECKED. WHILE TRAVELING ON FREEWAY AT 70 MPH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WITH TREAD PEELING OFF LIKE A BANANA PEEL ON HIGHWAY. TAIL PIPE WAS BENT AND REAR QUARTER PANEL SUSTAINED NEARLY $900 IN BODY DAMAGE. FILLED OUT CLAIM FORM WITH TOYO, BUT OF COURSE IT WAS *DENIED*. THEY CLAIMED THE TIRE FAILED TO DUE A SERVICE RELATED ISSUE AND "NOT THE RESULT OF ANY ACT OR OMISSION ON THE PART OF TOYO TIRE". I DISAGREE WITH THIS FINDING AND WILL PROCEED TO TELL EVERYONE I KNOW NOT TO BUY TOYO TIRES BECAUSE THE COMPANY DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF ITS CUSTOMERS WHEN THEY EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jul 12, 2004AL

RECALL 96 V 057 000 CONCERNING THROTTLE LINKAGES: WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR MORE THE THROTTLE LINKAGES CABLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STICK. CONSUMER REPLACED THE CABLE, AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed May 11, 200442,000 milesMD

METAL BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT AND RUPTURED CAUSING PARTIAL BRAKE FAILURE. DEALER REPLACED FAILED BRAKE LINE.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Mar 31, 2004103,369 milesCO

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALER TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL ORDER. THE VEHICLE WORKS WORSE NOW THAN IT DID BEFORE IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, AND CURRENTLY THEY ONLY WORK WHEN THEY ARE TURNED ON HIGH. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE NEEDED A WINDSHIELD WIPER PULSE CONTROL MODULE AT A COST OF $160.00. *AK *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Feb 25, 2004PA

#1, I SPENT 1,164.73 TO HAVE MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES REPAIRED AT A DEALER. I FOUND A SAFETY RECALL OF 1.4 MILLION REPORTS OF BRAKE FAILURE,WITH KELSY-HAVE PARTS ("KCB4"AND "EBC4"UNITS).WHY IF I HAD TO SPEND OVER $ 1,100.00 TO HAVE MY TRUCK REPAIRED WAS I NOT NOTIFIED????? #2 MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS BUTTON IS JAMMED AND THE DEALER WANTS 485.00 TO REPAIR. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD WIPER REPAIRED. WHY IS MY EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT FAILING? AND THERE IS NO RECALL NOTICE!!!! #3 MY EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE AND HANDLE-BOTH BROKE. HOW MUCH IS A DEALER GOING TO RIP ME OFF TO REPAIR. #4 I HAD TO REPAIR THE COLD SOLDER JOINTS ON MY HOT/COLD SWITCH SO MY A/C WOULD RUN COLD. ONCE AGAIN THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT-"RIP ME OFF!!" #5 WHY AFTER ALMOST 100 YEARS CANT A CAR MAKER BUILD THEIR CARS BETTER RATHER THAN CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO KEEP THE PARTS/SERVICE INDUSTRY BOOMING. IF MY OLD MAN WASN'T SHOT BY A ?!@#$% FIGHTER PLANE I WOULD BUY FROM THE ?!@#$%, BUT I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BUY AMERICAN (BECAUSE I AM ONE)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #6 ONE LAST THING WHEN I HAD MY FUEL INJECTORS "CLEANED" THE F/N DEALER JUST PUMPED ALMOST 60 LBS OF AIR IN MY TIRES.(SOME CLEANING)??????*AK

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Feb 9, 2004WY

AFTER RECALL 03V159000 REPAIRS FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WERE PERFORMED WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONTINUED TO QUIT WORKING WHILE IN USE. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO EXAMINE THE PART THEY INSTALLED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 2004145,000 milesTX

INNER DOOR HANDLES QUIT WORKING

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 2004KY

AC FAILURE AT 20,000 MILES - ABS FAILURE AT 90,000 MILES- INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AT 95,000 MILES- WINSHIELD WIPER FAILURE AT 95,000 MILES- POWER WINDOW FAILURE AT 100,000 MILES.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 24, 2003OK

WHEN BRAKING THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK THE VEHICLE DID NOT KEEP BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR TANK AND THE FLUID HAD RUN OUT ON THE TIRES, THERE WAS PULLING AND THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRES WERE RUINED FROM THE BRAKE FLUID. WHEN THE PULLING WAS FELT A NOISE WOULD BE PRESENT. *SC *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Nov 12, 200370,000 milesMI

WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL V 03V159000; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *PH

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Oct 17, 2003CA

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT ROLL FORWARD AT TIMES. IT DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE AT TIMES EITHER. IT HAS BEEN "FIXED" A TOTAL OF 18 TIMES. THE BLOWER FAN HAS ALSO BEEN "FIXED" A TOTAL OF 8 TIMES. IT, TOO, DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY ALL THE TIME. *LA

20 of 261 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
1995 — this page261600Above average
1994190320Routine
199372310Routine
199230420Routine
199112200Routine
199018220Routine

Compare every Sierra year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

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: Jul 1, 1998. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.