1990 GMC Sierra Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 115,832miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 15 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 18 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 GMC Sierra (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1990 GMC Sierra. The part named most often is brakes, with 10 complaints (56% of the total), followed by tires (3) and seat belts (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 115,832 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the rotor filed under the same part.
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.
- Brakes10 56%
- Tires3 17%
- Seat belts2 11%
- Body and structure2 11%
- Suspension2 11%
- Electrical system1 5.6%
- Engine cooling1 5.6%
- Seats1 5.6%
- Steering1 5.6%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10336395, filed 2010-06, 55,000 milesTires: “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. Updated 12/27/05.”
NHTSA complaint #10142393, filed 2005-11, 176,663 milesSeat belts: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #858861, filed 2000-03Body and structure: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10148802, filed 2006-01Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 176,663 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 GMC Sierra 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 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 19 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 14 | 15 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed manual | 11 | 13 | 12 | $5,600 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 14 | 16 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 14 | 16 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
9 more EPA-rated versions are not shown.
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
- 93V119000Aug 2, 1993Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › RotorCovers: GMC Sierra 1988–1992, Chevrolet Blazer 1988–1992, Suburban 1988–1992 +6 more
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.
Recall details for the 1990 GMC Sierra → · Check a 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. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10209734Mar 22, 2022Equipment, Fuel system. This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
Other model years of the GMC Sierra
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 61 | 35,000 | 0 | — | 20 | 54 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 6 | 39,500 | 2 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 53 | 2,750 | 6 | — | — | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2014 | 101 | 3,000 | 11 | — | — | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2013 | 39 | 7,250 | 3 | — | 21 | 76 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 29 | 31,450 | 2 | — | 21 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 43 | 45,000 | 2 | — | 21 | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 34 | 53,500 | 0 | — | 22 | 11 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 37 | 42,000 | 1 | — | 21 | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 68 | 66,850 | 2 | — | — | 23 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 59 | 70,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 53 | 43,500 | 4 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 117 | 60,000 | 9 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 188 | 49,752 | 7 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 206 | 55,750 | 6 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 249 | 40,490 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 264 | 61,500 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 443 | 67,666 | 8 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 600 | 62,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 190 | 71,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 238 | 78,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 246 | 83,000 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 261 | 114,184 | 6 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1994 | 190 | 110,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 72 | 75,000 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 30 | 178,000 | 3 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 12 | 108,500 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 18 | 115,832 | 1 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 16 | 187,575 | 1 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All GMC Sierra model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 GMC Sierra have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1990 GMC Sierra as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 GMC Sierra is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 10 complaints (56% of the total), followed by tires with 3.
Has the 1990 GMC Sierra been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 GMC Sierra get?
The EPA rates the 1990 GMC Sierra (Sierra 1500 2WD, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 GMC Sierra reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 115,832 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 176,663 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 27, 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.