1999 GMC Sierra

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 600 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 9 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
62,000 milesMedian miles at failure

236 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip184
2606
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module30
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic29
100
Service Brakes25
200
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal20
100
Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments20
001
Tires16
202
Seats16
001
Service Brakes, Air › Antilock › Control Unit/Module15
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission13
000

9 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Equipment › Electrical07E066000
Filed Aug 28, 2007175 vehiclesCequent Electrical Products

Defect. CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

Risk. IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Remedy. ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments06V066000
Filed Mar 8, 2006805,368 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS HAVE GALVANIZED-BRAIDED-STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES USED TO SUPPORT THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION. OVER TIME THESE CABLES CAN CORRODE AND FRACTURE WHEN LOADS ARE APPLIED TO THEM.

Risk. IF ONE CABLE FRACTURES, THE REMAINING CABLE MAY RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN A HORIZONTAL POSITION. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURE, THE TAILGATE WOULD DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER. IF ANYONE IS SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THEY COULD FALL AND BE INJURED. ON VEHICLES WITHOUT A BUMPER, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP TO A LOWER POSITION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GALVANIZED SUPPORT CABLES WITH STAINLESS STEEL SUPPORT CABLES. IN ADDITION, DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE TAILGATE HINGE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip05V379000
Filed Aug 29, 20051,353,718 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.

Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Parking Brake05V161000
Filed Apr 22, 200590,242 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT WITH EITHER PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS OR TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS, THE PARKING BRAKE FRICTION LININGS MAY WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.

Risk. IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Equipment04E022000
Filed Mar 23, 20048,000 vehiclesDurakon Industries, Inc.

Defect. AFTERMARKET PICKUP TRUCK OVER-THE-RAIL BEDLINERS MANUFACTURED FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS. THE TOGGLE WING ASSEMBLY USED TO ATTACH THE BEDLINER TO THE TRUCK BED IS NOT ENGAGING FULLY IN THE STAKE POCKET OF THE PICKUP TRUCK.

Risk. THE BEDLINER CAN BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PICKUP WHILE IT IS MOTION, POSSIBLY ENDANGERING FOLLOWING MOTORISTS OR PEDESTRIANS.

Remedy. DURAKON WILL ISSUE A PRESS RELEASE IN ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS THAT COULD HAVE PURCHASED THE DEFECTIVE BEDLINER. IF YOU PURCHASED EITHER A DURAKON ALLSTAR OF PATRIOT OVERRAIL BEDLINER SINCE AUGUST 1, 2003, FOR 1999 TO 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO OR GMC SIERRA TRUCKS, OR PURCHASED ONE OF THESE PICKUP TRUCKS WITH EITHER BRAND BEDLINER ALREADY INSTALLED, YOU SHOULD RETURN TO AN AUTHORIZED DURAKON DEALER SO THAT THE BEDLINER CAN BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIRED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED TOGGLE WING FASTENING SYSTEM, OR IF REQUIRED, REPLACED WITH A NEW BEDLINER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE CALL THE DURAKON HOTLINE AT 1-800-933-4200 TO FIND THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DURAKON DEALER.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings00V345000
Filed Oct 30, 20001,383,922 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CLEARANCE CONDITION BETWEEN THE FRONT RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE AND THE BODY CROSS SILL THAT COULD DECREASE TO THE POINT OF ALLOWING CONTACT DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IF CONTACT OCCURS AND THE BRAKE PIPE BECOMES DAMAGED, IN HALF OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM THERE CAN BE A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND PRESSURE. THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP WILL BE ACTIVATED WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL REACHES THE INDICATOR LIMIT.

Risk. DURING BRAKING, THE PEDAL WILL BE LOWER THAN NORMAL AND STOPPING DISTANCES WILL BE LONGER. IF THIS OCCURS WHEN STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE FOR WEAR. IF THERE ARE SIGNS OF WEAR, THIS SECTION OF THE BRAKE PIPE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW DESIGNED BRAKE PIPE SECTION. IF THERE ARE NOT SIGNS OF WEAR ON THE BRAKE PIPE, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A SPACER CLIP TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PIPE AND THE BODY CROSS SILL.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper00X001000
Filed May 23, 2000777,873 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1/2 TON LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE SERVICE PROCEDURE SET FORTH IN THE SERVICE MANUAL FOR REMOVAL OF THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER CAN RESULT IN MOVEMENT OF THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE RELATIVE TO ITS KNUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET. IF THIS MOVEMENT RESULTS IN INCREASED LENGTH BETWEEN THE BRACKET AND THE BANJO FITTING THAT ATTACHES TO THE BRAKE CALIPER, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE BRAKE HOSE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL RIM.

Risk. THIS CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL RIM COULD, IN TIME, CAUSE THE BRAKE HOSE TO BECOME WORN TO THE POINT THAT BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR. IF THIS OCCURRED, LOSS OF FRONT BRAKES IS POSSIBLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ATTACH A NOTICE LABEL TO THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES STATING THAT THE CALIPERS MUST BE SUPPORTED WHEN REMOVED.

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)98V242000
Filed Oct 6, 19988,367 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A LOWER THAN SPECIFIED TORQUE ON ALL THREE OF THE STEERING GEAR TO FRAME ATTACHMENT BOLTS. THE BOLTS CAN LOOSEN OVER TIME ALLOWING THE STEERING GEAR TO MOVE. THIS LOOSENING CAN RESULT IN SOME UNRESPONSIVE STEERING FEEL AND SOME NOISE TO THE DRIVER.

Risk. IF THIS CONDITION IS IGNORED, THE STEERING GEAR TO FRAME CAN WEAR AND/OR FATIGUE THE ATTACHING BOLTS TO THE POINT OF BREAKAGE OR THE BOLTS BACKING OUT. IF ALL THE BOLTS BREAK OR BACK OUT, THE STEERING GEAR WOULD SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL RETORQUE THE STEERING GEAR TO FRAME BOLTS TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Aug 10, 2015190,000 milesWV

WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. LOOKED UNDER TRUCK AND BRAKE FLUID WAS EVERYWHERE AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND HAD BUSTED. LOOKED IT UP AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL TRUCK BUT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL?! THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH GM.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 29, 201558,000 milesKS

I WAS DRIVING AND WENT TO APPLY BRAKES FOR THE STOP SIGN AHEAD, AND I HAD NO BRAKES. ONCE I HAD THE TRUCK HOME I PARKED IT. I DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH BY HAVING A PIECE OF CARDBOARD UNDER THE TRUCK TO LOCATE THE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I'M SO LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T HAVE A CAMPER ON THE TRUCK AND HAD GONE ON VACATION TO COLORADO, AS I INTENDED THIS TO BE MY RECREATIONAL VEHICLE FOR THIS PURPOSE. I AM HAUNTED BY THE POSSIBLE SCENARIOS AND CRASHES THAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED TO ME AND MY FAMILY. WIFE, SON, AND TWO DAUGHTERS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE OTHER HUMAN BEINGS END UP SERIOUSLY INJURED, TRAUMATIZED, OR DEATH BEING VERY HIGHLY LIKELY. SO I HAVE A NEAR NEW TRUCK SITTING IN THE YARD FOR NEARLY THE PAST FIVE YEARS. MY ATTEMPT TO INSTALL AFTER-MARKET BRAKE LINES HAS BEEN A FAILURE. GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I KNOW AS TIME GOES BY OTHER BRAKE LINES ON THESE MODELS WILL RUST AND FAIL. I WILL BE HERE AS A WITNESS, AND SO WILL THE TRUCK AS I HAVE REFUSED OFFERS TO SELL IT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 17, 201481,000 milesKY

DRIVING DOWN HILL, APPROX SPEED OF 45 MPH, WENT TO APPLY BRAKES WHEN DID HEARD POP NOISE AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO STOPPING. PUMPED ON BRAKES AND GEARED DOWN TRUCK TO SLOW DOWN. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD TO NOTICE THAT FLUID WAS COMING OUT OF THE BODY. WAS ABLE TO GET MIRROR AND RESEARCH AND FIND THE BRAKE LINE HAD CORRODED WITH RUST, AND IT HAS SPLIT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 4, 2014196,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO SWITCH GEARS IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 25, 2014172,656 milesIN

I WAS COMING TO A STOP AND I LOST MY BRAKES I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STOPPED. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC RIGHT AWAY AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINE BURST AND HIT MY GAS LINE BUSTING IT AS WELL. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 3 WEEKS. THEY REPAIRED THE GAS LINE EASY ENOUGH BUT THE BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 18, 201430,000 milesWA

DURING MANY OCCASIONS SINCE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK(NEW) ,THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE AS I AM APPLYING THE BRAKES AND THE TRUCK IS ALMOST STOPPED: LOUD SHUDDER,THE TRUCK WOULD KEEP ROLLING EVEN AFTER PRESSING HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL(AT WALKING SPEED);IT HAS BEEN A RATHER SCARY EXPERIENCE ALL ALONG AS MORE THAN ONCE ,I CAME CLOSE TO HIT OTHER VEHICLES AND MY GARAGE DOOR AND BACK WALL. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 18, 201481,000 milesPA

THIS IS THE CONTINUING STORY OF THE UNSAFE BRAKING SYSTEM ON MY 1999 GMC TRUCK. ON 7/15/14 AS I WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT MY BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO SLOW THE TRUCK AND THEN THE PEDAL TRAVEL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR, THE RED WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. I WAS VERY CLOSE TO HOME AND MANAGED TO SLOWLY MAKE IT SAFELY BACK WHERE I DISCOVERED, FOR THE THIRD TIME, THAT MY BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH. I HAD LOST A PINT OF FLUID AND LATER FOUND THE LEAKING BRAKE LINE. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE RUSTY BRAKE LINES ON MY TRUCK. I REALIZE MY VEHICLE IS OLD, BUT THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST TEN YEARS. MY 1976 PONTIAC FIREBIRD STILL HAS IT'S ORIGINAL BRAKE LINES THAT SHOW NO SIGNS OF RUST. MY GMC BRAKE LINES ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED. I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN $5000 ON REPAIRING THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASING IT NEW IN 1999. I HAVE HAD MORE THAN FIVE VERY CLOSE CLOSE CALLS WITH ASSORTED BRAKE FAILURES WITH THE RUSTY BRAKE LINES, FAULTY ABS SENSORS AND DEFECTIVE WHEEL HUBS. I AM GLAD THAT I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT AND NOT MY NEXT OF KIN. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 2014151,704 milesIN

THE BRAKE LINES IN MY 1999 GMC SIERRA BLEW OUT, AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK BEFORE ENTERING A BUSY HIGHWAY FROM MY DRIVEWAY - THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, PROVIDING VERY LITTLE BREAKING POWER AND TAKING A MUCH LONGER TIME TO STOP AND A MUCH LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP THAN NORMAL . I WAS INFORMED THAT MY BRAKE LINES HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, NEEDING FULL REPLACEMENT, WHICH I HAD DONE LAST WEEK AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE. IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT GM KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND FAILED TO INFORM OWNERS OF THEIR VEHICLES TO HAVE THEIR BRAKE LINES INSPECTED! I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK SINCE IT WAS NEW, AND MY ADDRESS HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED, SO MY ADDRESS IS IN THEIR FILES. *JS

Service Brakes
Filed May 5, 2014156,000 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE I WAS STOPPING AND THE BRAKES WERE SHOT. I HAD TO PUSH THE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO THE FLOOR TO GET IT TO STOP. LUCKILY I NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT WITH THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO GET LOOKED AT AND THE BRAKE LINES ARE LEAKING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS UNIT. THEY ARE EXTREMELY RUSTED AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE WAS OVER $1000. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 31, 2014150,145 milesNY

BRAKE FLUID LEAKING ALL OVER BOTTOM OF TRUCK SPRAYING OUT I TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND HAD 1000 DOLLAR BRAKE LINE JOB DONE GOT TRUCK BACK AND ABS BRAKES WORKED LIKE MANUAL BRAKES HAD A SENSOR AND 2 BALL JOINTS REPLACED IM BEING RIPPED OF FROM A GMC LOYAL CUSTOMER I WAS I GUESS BACK TO FORD OR TOYOTA FOR MY NEXT NEW TRUCKS I HAD WARRANTY ISSUES YOU CHEAP [XXX] WOULDNT PAY FOR A WATERPUMP THAT WAS LEAKING ONLY A 7 DOLLAR GASKET ALSO HAD A TRANSMISSION ON MY WORK VAN REPAIR AND THEN REPLACED AFTER A MONTH OF RUN AROUND. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 17, 201350,900 milesWI

COMING BACK FROM THE STORE THEN ENTERING MY DRIVE WAY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. LOOKED UNDER TRUCK AND SAW BRAKE FLUID ON GROUND.HAD TO BE TOWED IN. HAD TO HAVE BRAKE LINES REPLACE. HEAVY CORROSION . TRUCK HAD BAD RUST PROBLEM. COST,$883.00AT 60,000 MI GAS LINES STARTED TO LEAK FROM CORROSION. HAD TO BE REPLACED ON 10/09/2013. FOR $900.00THE UNDER CARRIAGE IS BADLY RUSTED AND LOOKS IT HAS 200,000MI INSTEAD OF 60,000MI. BRAKE BACKING PLATES ARE ALMOST RUSTED AWAY. HAD TO REPLACE REAR CALIPERS ,ROTORS,PADS 2 TIMES. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 23, 201371,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO FUEL VISIBLE ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT BOTH THE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

Wheels
Filed Jul 27, 201364,000 milesMD

PIRELLI SCORPION TIRES, SIZE P255/70R16, BOUGHT 7/11/2007 FROM TIRERACK.COM. AT 21,000 MILES, TIRES ARE SHOWING SEVERE WEATHER CRACKING, VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT I EXPERIENCED WITH MY FORD EXPLORER DURING THE FIRESTONE TIRE RECALL IN 2000. TIRE RACKS WARRANTY SPECIFICALLY STATES TIRES WITH WEATHER CRACKING WHICH WERE PURCHASED MORE THAN 4 YEARS PRIOR TO PRESENTATION FOR ADJUSTMENT ARE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH THERE IS AMPLE TREAD LIFE LEFT, THESE TIRES ARE SIMPLY NO LONGER SAFE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 14, 2013162,000 milesOH

WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE, WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP I HEARD A POP AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND A CORRODED LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE HAD BUSTED AND I LOST ALL FLUID. WHEN I INSPECTED ALL THE OTHER BRAKE LINES THEY WERE ALSO HEAVILY CORRODED. I HAVE HAD MANY OLDER VEHICLES WITH OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES AND NEVER HAD CORRODED BRAKE LINES. *TR

Steering
Filed May 18, 2013205,778 milesTX

TRUCK WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER THE EVENING OF 12/03/2012. THERE WAS A GRINDING TYPE NOISE WHEN TURNS WERE ATTEMPTED. TOOK VEHICLE TO A SHOP FOR A POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACEMENT. THE SHOP CHANGE THE PUMP AND THE SOLID METAL POWER STEERING HOSE. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE HOSE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE REPAIR WENT FINE AND I PICKED UP THE TRUCK AND DROVE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS. IT SEEMS THE REPLACEMENT SOLID METAL POWER STEERING HOSE BROKE IN THE SAME PLACE, WHERE IT SCREWS INTO THE PUMP. IT IS NOW MAY 2013, AND THE SECOND REPLACEMENT POWER STEERING HOSE HAS BROKEN AGAIN. I WILLTAKE IT TO THE SHOP MONDAY, MAY 21, 2013. I AM HOPING THIS HOSE WILL LAST. WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM? *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 23, 2013154,489 milesPA

I JUST TOOK MY 99 GMC SIERRA 1500 TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL GOING ALL WAY TO THE FLOOR AFTER DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND FELT THE SOFTNESS IN THE BRAKE PEDAL ATTEMPTING TO STOP BECAUSE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR THE SERVICE TECH FOUND THE BRAKE LINE LEAKING DUE CORROSION, THE TECH GAVE THE WORST CASE SCENARIO WHICH WOULD BE REPLACING ALL 4 CALIPERS, BRAKE HOSES, AND BRAKE LINES FOR OVER $3000.00. GM OR NHTSA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL OR SOMETHING BUT SOMEONE GETS KILL. LUCKY THERE HAS BEEN NO DEATHS BECAUSE OF SUB QUALITY PARTS USED BY GM. *TR

Suspension
Filed Mar 21, 2013240,000 milesMI

ODD NOISE FROM VEHICLE. STOPPED AND NOTICED THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOW (BOX AND BACK OF CAB WERE IN CONTACT AT THE TOP AND SEPARATED BY SEVERAL INCHES AT THE BOTTOM. LOOKED AT FRAME AND SAW THAT RIGHT SIDE OF FRAME WAS RUSTED AND IS CRACKED ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH, ALLOWING FRAME TO SAG AND PRESENTING THE DANGER OF FRAME SEPARATION WHICH WOULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Mar 11, 2013150,000 milesFL

MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. SOMETIME THE NEXT DAY I STARTED UP MY TRUCK AND RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, ALL SEEMED FINE. I THEN RELEASED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PROCEED TO BACK UP. GAVE THE VEHICLE A LITTLE GAS TO DO SO, WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AGAIN AND HAD THEM GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARDS. IN ORDER TO STOP I HAD TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO HIT INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. NO DAMAGE TO EITHER OTHER THAN A SCUFF. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND MECHANIC SAYS ALL LINES NEED REPLACING. GOING TO COST UPWARDS OF A $1000. THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PREVENT LOSS OF LIFE! *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 29, 2012206 milesMI

DRIVING AT 50 MPH WITH MY YOUNG DAUGHTER THE DRIVERS SIDE METAL BRAKE LINE BURST PREVENTING US FROM STOPPING. UPON INSPECTION OF THE LINE IT WAS HEAVILY CORRODED. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Oct 26, 2012205,000 milesMI

BRAKE LINE BURST WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKING AND SLOW SPEED CRAWL INTO GARAGE DOOR. ON INSPECTION, HEAVILY CORRODED SECTION OF REAR BRAKE LINE UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS DOOR ON THE INSIDE OF FRAME RAIL WAS SPLIT LENGTHWISE AND LEAKING LARGE VOLUME OF BRAKE FLUID. *TR

20 of 600 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
1999 — this page600921Fatalities reported
1998190080Routine
1997238050Above average
1996246230Above average
1995261600Above average
1994190320Routine
199372310Routine
199230420Routine
199112200Routine
199018220Routine

Compare every Sierra year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

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: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.