1993 GMC Sierra Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about windshield wipers that stop working or run intermittently, and about front seat hardware that fails or comes loose even after recall work. A smaller but notable group reports the automatic transmission dropping out of gear into neutral while driving, and some describe brake problems including rear brake wear and ABS behavior in wet conditions. Many of these complaints were filed years after purchase, so the wiper and seat reports often come from higher-mileage trucks still in service.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop or work intermittently

   • 20 complaints (28%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 10.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2006

   Owners describe wipers that quit mid-stroke, fail to come on when switched, or run on their own, sometimes during rain or snow. Several say the wiper motor, delay module, or control card on the firewall was the failing part, and some report the dealer could not reproduce the problem or found a short and repaired it only for it to return. Many complaints note that later GM trucks were covered by a wiper recall while their truck was excluded by VIN. Reported across a wide mileage range, from low-mileage trucks to ones past 100,000 miles, often noticed in rain or snow.

   What to check: Turn the wipers on at every speed setting, including delay and washer, and watch whether they park correctly or hesitate; ask whether the wiper motor or control module has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving in rain with my wipers on low speed, they suddenly stopped, just as a truck was passing me, with the road water thrown on the windshield by the semi, I could not see the road ahead. I could see in my side mirror that I was clear on my right side, so I pulled over on the shoulder and stopped. I also own a 1991 3/4 ton silverado which I have had trouble with the wiper delay function, although they have not totally stopped as the Sierra's did. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10152489, filed 2006-03

   “This problem has occured at vehicle startup, when driving and attempting to turn on the windshield wipers, as well as having them stop running once the vehicle is in motion. When I took the vehicle to another GM dealer to have the problem corrected they said there was a short and supposedly corrected it. The problem has since reoccured and keeps occuring. The number that I put in the box is low when I consider all of the times that they would not operate when they were turned on.”

   NHTSA complaint #701148, filed 1998-12
2. 2
   Seats

   Driver seat back or seat bolts break

   • 12 complaints (17%)
   • typically at 5.6 yrs old
   • filed 1996–2001

   Complaints describe the driver or passenger seat back collapsing or the bolts holding the seat frame snapping, sometimes while braking or driving. Several owners say the seat bolt recall repair was performed and the replacement bolts broke again afterward, with dealers sometimes covering parts only or declining further work. Others report the seat anchor tracks breaking so the seat slides or tips backward. Reports span from low mileage to older, high-mileage trucks, and several failures occurred after recall repair work had already been done.

   Recall 93V163000

   What to check: Rock the seat back firmly and check the bolts and tracks under the seat for looseness or fresh replacement hardware; ask whether the seat recall repair was done and whether it has been redone since.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall work was done in may '96, second failure in feb '99 Gmc was contacted, nothing could be done. Recall work is not guaranteed, even though this could have been serious had the vehicle been traveling at a high rate of speed when the front seat bolts broke.”

   NHTSA complaint #703705, filed 1999-02

   “The seat tracks attached to the bottom of the driver's seat broke, causing the seat to fly backward. The vehicle was not in motion, or the reaction of the seat could have caused loss of vehicle control.”

   NHTSA complaint #743473, filed 2001-04
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slips out of drive into neutral

   • 8 complaints (11%)
   • median 20,425 mi at 11.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2004

   Owners report the automatic transmission dropping out of gear into neutral at highway speed, requiring them to coast to the shoulder, shut off the engine, wait, and restart. Some say the dealer could not find a fault, while others were quoted for a rebuild or replacement, and a few had the transmission replaced more than once. Related complaints mention loss of reverse or failure to shift into higher gears. Reported from very low mileage up to roughly 150,000 miles, with several failures described on the highway.

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed and confirm the transmission holds each gear and engages reverse promptly; ask for service records on any transmission rebuild or replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Replaced the transmission 4 times, recall on seats were fixed but bolts keep breaking so I bought new seats of a differnt style and replaced them after a 5 year problem. Paint has been flaking off the truck for appoximately 4 yrs and I cant get the dealer or GM to do anything with this paint problem. They say it is because I am the second owner. The truck was in an accident but the top of the cab and the bed is all that needs painted, and they were not damaged in anyway because of the accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #10071252, filed 2004-01, 150,000 miles

   “Problems with vehicle slipping out of gear while driving. The vehicle went from drive to neutral while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who told the consumer that a new transmission would cost him $4000.00 and to rebuild an old one would be $3000.00. The consumer has made ongoing complaints about the vehicle and feels the cost of the transmission should be lowered. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10051807, filed 2003-12, 1,500 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake noise, pedal travel, and ABS behavior in wet weather

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • typically at 6.0 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2001

   Owners report grinding from the rear brakes with drums and wheel cylinders replaced repeatedly, a popping noise with the pedal going to the floor, and ABS engagement in damp conditions that pulls the truck to one side. Some describe the brake warning light staying on or flashing, and one complaint ties reduced power assist to a sticking EGR valve. Reported from low mileage to older trucks, with ABS complaints often noted in wet or damp conditions.

   What to check: Check pedal firmness and brake fluid level, listen for grinding on a test drive, and try a low-speed stop on a wet surface to see whether the ABS engages unevenly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On any road conditions when applying the brakes there is a grinding noise coming from rear brakes. The wheel cylinders and brake drums were replaced once in 4/96, lasting 5,000 miles and 10//96 lasting 10,000 miles. The brakes are making grinding noises again.”

   NHTSA complaint #810797, filed 1997-04

   “When brake pedal is applied anti-skid system will engage, causing vehicle to pull too one side, also, sometimes it appears as if there are no brakes at all. Deaelr has been contacted.”

   NHTSA complaint #860908, filed 2000-04
5. 5
   Seat belts

   Seat belts that will not retract or snap back hard

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • median 1,500 mi at 11.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2004

   Complaints describe front seat belt retractors that stop retracting, leaving the belt loose, and buckles that snap back quickly when released. In a few cases owners say the belt struck an occupant when it retracted, and dealers were reported as saying the belt was operating normally. Reported on trucks with low to moderate mileage, including one under 40,000 miles.

   What to check: Pull each belt out fully and let it retract slowly, checking that it winds back smoothly, and check buckle release action on both sides.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driver's seat belt retractor will not retract. Seat belt is very loose and would not prevent injury or death in the event of a crash. Dealer and Gmc zone office refuse to accept responsibility and/or repair the retractor except at my own expense.”

   NHTSA complaint #10046833, filed 2003-11, 37,000 miles

   “When pulling seat belt down to fasten it into place, and then when a child released it, buckle flew back so hard that it knocked out child's tooth. Contacted dealer, said that the seat belt was operating properly and they assume no responsibility.”

   NHTSA complaint #856741, filed 2000-02

Buying note. Check the wipers through every setting and inspect the seat mounting bolts and belt retractors, since those are the most frequently reported items on this model year. A highway test drive is worth it to confirm the transmission holds gear, and brake condition should be verified before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 51 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.