1996 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 132,500miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 16 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 19 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500. The part named most often is brakes, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and engine cooling (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 132,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes2 40%
- Electrical system1 20%
- Engine cooling1 20%
- Fuel system1 20%
- Body and structure1 20%
- Tires1 20%
Example complaints
Brakes: “I have noticed problems with my ABS in the front of my truck in the past year. Well my truck is now off the road so I have been driving my mothers truck and hers is starting to do the same thing its makes like a grinding noise in the front we took off the tires and the brakes were fine we can't figure out what else could be wrong and then a friend said its the ABS sensors system.”
NHTSA complaint #10164616, filed 2006-08Electrical system: “Vehicle had not been driven for two weeks. Received call at work that my vehicle was burning. Fire dept. Extinguished,no clue of what started it. Had only liability coverage. Purchased new 1st ever owned. Vehicle is still here have not touched it.”
NHTSA complaint #10221906, filed 2008-03, 140,000 milesEngine cooling: “I'm going to list every safety defect with my 1996 Gmc sierra since I purchased it used in 2008. When I first bought it I heard a swishing sound in the heater core and the airbag light was illuminated in the instrument panel, but I thought it was just low on anti freeze and that my repair facility could fix the air bag; but as it turns out the clock spring in the steering wheel was bad and I couldn't afford to get the air bag fixed. The swishing sound was caused by air in the cooling system due to a leaking intake manifold gasket; it had to be replaced for 600.00 $. …”
NHTSA complaint #10413240, filed 2011-07, 147,657 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 125,000 and 140,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 6.5L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 19 | 16 | $6,000 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 6.5L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $6,400 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 10232287Feb 21, 2023Equipment. This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10209734Mar 22, 2022Equipment, Fuel system. This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10034428Feb 1, 2010Fuel system. Chevrolet:gmc: engineering information-fuel tank pressure sensor, dtcs p0446, p0451 or p0454 set. Gmc engineering is attempting to determine the root cause of the above concern.
Other model years of the GMC Sierra 1500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 147 | 3,900 | 2 | 5 | 19 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2025 | 124 | 16,000 | 1 | 5 | 19 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 378 | 19,650 | 1 | 5 | 18 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 503 | 30,115 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 81 · More | Too new |
| 2022 | 602 | 39,770 | 6 | 4–5 | 18 | 82 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 598 | 50,000 | 7 | 4–5 | 17 | 76 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 484 | 35,930 | 12 | 4–5 | 19 | 78 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 658 | 14,250 | 10 | 4–5 | 19 | 89 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 305 | 34,000 | 7 | 5 | 19 | 46 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 355 | 38,984 | 6 | 5 | 19 | 43 · Typical | Stable |
| 2016 | 343 | 47,000 | 8 | 5 | 19 | 54 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 720 | 47,000 | 9 | 5 | 19 | 76 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 743 | 55,000 | 9 | 5 | 19 | 76 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 116 | 70,000 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 107 | 60,440 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2011 | 284 | 55,250 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 16 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 168 | 63,750 | 4 | — | 17 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 234 | 72,750 | 4 | — | 16 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 381 | 75,000 | 2 | — | 17 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 263 | 73,462 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 145 | 52,000 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 177 | 70,000 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 212 | 60,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 180 | 75,000 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2002 | 166 | 80,000 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 140 | 97,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 181 | 90,506 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 158 | 107,000 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 59 | 80,500 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 83 | 82,500 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 5 | 132,500 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 13 | 129,775 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
All GMC Sierra 1500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 get?
The EPA rates the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 (Sierra 1500 2WD, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 19 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 132,500 miles and the middle half falls between 125,000 and 140,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.