GMC Sierra recall history
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the GMC Sierra, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)
At a Glance
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the GMC Sierra. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the GMC Sierra, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
- Coverage spans model years 1976–2017 with 98 recall campaigns and 4896 complaints in NHTSA data.
- Years with the most recall activity: 2014 (11), 2005 (9), and 2000 (8).
- Years with the most complaint volume: 1999 (721), 2000 (557), and 2001 (333).
- Top recall themes: Brakes, Powertrain, and Electrical.
- Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Service brakes, Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor.
- Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
- Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Brakes
8 campaigns · Years: 1988–1992, 1999–2005These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Powertrain
8 campaigns · Years: 1995, 2000, 2005, 2013–2015These campaigns relate to drivetrain or transmission components that can affect shifting, power delivery, or control.
Electrical
7 campaigns · Years: 2007–2009, 2011–2012, 2014–2016These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.
Seats and restraints
7 campaigns · Years: 1993–1995, 2003–2005, 2014–2015These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.
Steering and suspension
6 campaigns · Years: 1999, 2005–2006, 2011, 2014–2015These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.
Airbags
4 campaigns · Years: 2000, 2005, 2014, 2016These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.
Fuel and emissions
4 campaigns · Years: 1992–1993, 2002, 2005, 2012–2013These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Engine and cooling
3 campaigns · Years: 2001, 2004–2006, 2015These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the GMC Sierra in NHTSA complaint data are Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Service brakes, Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 77 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Service brakes, Electrical system. |
| 2016 | 2 | 8 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Air bags, Steering. |
| 2015 | 6 | 67 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting, Power train, Steering. |
| 2014 | 11 | 132 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting, Power train, Electrical system. |
| 2013 | 3 | 46 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Power train. |
| 2012 | 2 | 46 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine, Structure:body. |
| 2011 | 2 | 67 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine, Electronic stability control (esc). |
| 2010 | 0 | 43 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Structure. |
| 2009 | 1 | 48 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Engine. |
| 2008 | 2 | 84 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages. |
| 2007 | 2 | 71 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Service brakes, Electrical system. |
| 2006 | 4 | 65 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, Electrical system, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 2005 | 9 | 152 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, Electrical system, Steering. |
| 2004 | 7 | 224 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, Electrical system, Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel. |
| 2003 | 6 | 248 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 2002 | 4 | 291 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Service brakes, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 2001 | 4 | 333 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Service brakes, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 2000 | 8 | 557 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakes. |
| 1999 | 5 | 721 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 1998 | 0 | 230 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor, Steering. |
| 1997 | 0 | 302 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Steering, Steering:hydraulic power assist system. |
| 1996 | 2 | 310 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor, Visibility:windshield wiper/washer, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. |
| 1995 | 6 | 327 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor, Visibility:windshield wiper/washer, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. |
| 1994 | 3 | 221 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor, Visibility:windshield wiper/washer, Seats. |
| 1993 | 2 | 109 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor, Seats, Visibility:windshield wiper/washer. |
| 1992 | 3 | 33 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor, Visibility:windshield wiper/washer, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. |
| 1991 | 1 | 12 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly. |
| 1990 | 1 | 30 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Power train:automatic transmission, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 1989 | 1 | 22 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting:brake lights, Seat belts, Fuel system, gasoline:carburetor system. |
| 1988 | 1 | 6 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires:tread/belt, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines. |
| 1987 | 0 | 2 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting, Steering. |
| 1983 | 0 | 5 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery, Power train:automatic transmission. |
| 1982 | 0 | 1 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Tires:tread/belt. |
| 1977 | 0 | 4 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Tires, Fuel system, gasoline, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 1976 | 0 | 2 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Tires, Engine. |
What to Do Next
- Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
- If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
- If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
Recall Evidence by Year
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved: Service brakes , Electrical system and Power train
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- Vandura 1981–1996
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⚠️ Important Safety Information
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.