1996 GMC Sierra Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 7%of 246 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 119,052miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 GMC Sierra, 7% of the 246 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 119,052 miles. 15 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving along hwy 71 east, fell asleep at the wheel and ran into the back of the vehicle in front of me. There was considerable damage to both vehicles. The air bag system in my steering wheel did not deploy. Only because I was asleep did I avoid serious injury and also I was wearing my seatbelt. The problem has not been corrected at this time.”
NHTSA complaint #10072613, filed 2004-05, 138,104 miles“While driving 40 MPH consumer hit another vehicle in a front end crash. Upon impact, driver's airbag did not deploy. Consumer hit her head on steering wheel, required 6-8 stitches. Chevrolet customer service told consumer her airbag should not have deployed, her life was not in danger. Damage to vehicle was $ 7000.00.”
NHTSA complaint #892594, filed 2001-07“Consumer hit a vehicle with highway speed impact, and driverside airbag did not deploy, causing minor injuries. Gmc inspected vehicle, but did not notify consumer of the result of inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #860260, filed 2000-04“Vehicle was involved in an accident at 50 MPH. Direct frontal impact in which driver's nor passeger's side airbags did not deploy. Cause unknown. Consumer sustained whiplash due to accident.”
NHTSA complaint #825133, filed 1998-07“Consumer was driving on road when 76 ford f100 pickup ran a stop sign, ran into consumer's front end broadsiding f100 pickup truck, during nor after impact did consumer airbag deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #809610, filed 1997-03Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 33% |
| 2015 | 4 | 8% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 7 | 18% |
| 2012 | 4 | 14% |
| 2011 | 10 | 23% |
| 2010 | 8 | 24% |
| 2009 | 9 | 24% |
| 2008 | 29 | 43% |
| 2007 | 13 | 22% |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 5% |
| 2004 | 5 | 3% |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 12 | 5% |
| 2000 | 17 | 4% |
| 1999 | 12 | 2% |
| 1998 | 6 | 3% |
| 1997 | 4 | 2% |
| 1996 | 16 | 7% |
| 1995 | 12 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1996 GMC Sierra
84 complaintsBrakes
47 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsSeats
20 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 GMC Sierra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology