1996 GMC Sierra
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 94 of 251 complaints (37%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (9) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 264 in 1995 to 251 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Standard Pickup Trucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,650–6,400 | 3,450–5,950 | 3,450–5,950 | 3,450–5,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 12–19 | 13–18 | 13–18 | 13–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 11–17 / 14–22 | 11–16 / 16–21 | 11–15 / 16–21 | 11–16 / 16–21 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 523–741 | 494–684 | 494–684 | 494–684 | |
| Complaints filed | 264 | 251 | 321 | 249 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 2 | 5 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 19 | 20 | 6 | 22 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 4 | 5 | 10 | |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 15 | 4 | 14 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 42 | 19 | 18 | 11 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 GMC Sierra have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 GMC Sierra?
Visibility & Lighting: 94 of 251 NHTSA complaints (37%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 GMC Sierra get?
EPA rates it 13–18 MPG combined across 19 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 GMC Sierra?
EPA estimates $3,450–$5,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (19)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 15 mpg | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 4.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 16 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 13 mpg | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 6.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Standard Pickup Trucks | 15 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $5,600 | 636 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 12 mpg | 17 mpg | 14 mpg | $4,450 | 635 g/mi |
| Configuration 11 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 11 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | 13 mpg (low) | $4,800 | 684 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 17 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 12 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | 14 mpg | $4,450 | 635 g/mi |
| Configuration 19 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 6.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | $5,950 (high) | 679 g/mi |
Show 6 more configurations
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 12 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 6.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Standard Pickup Trucks | 15 mpg | 18 mpg | 16 mpg | $5,600 | 636 g/mi |
| Configuration 13 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 15 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 14 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 4.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 15 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 13 mpg | 17 mpg | 14 mpg | $4,450 | 635 g/mi |
| Configuration 16 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 13 mpg | 17 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 18 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 12 mpg | 17 mpg | 14 mpg | $4,450 | 635 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 49 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 22 | 16 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 94 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER · Campaign 98V150001 · Feb 11, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · Campaign 96V057000 · Apr 17, 1996
Defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.