Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1989 GMC Sierra, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Seat belts4
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Electrical system2
- Steering2
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Exterior lighting2
- Vehicle speed control1
- Wheels1
- Structure1
- Parking brake1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 17 1989 Sierra vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 13 people died inside them, and 6 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1989 GMC Sierra failed the safety check 1.18% of the time — 45% more often than the average 1989 passenger car (0.81%). Median odometer at inspection: 145,664 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What GMC told its dealers about the 1989 GMC Sierra: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10209734 | This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive. |
| 10162150 | This Preliminary information communicates a customer concern ofIPC gauges inoperative or fluctuate, No Start,No Crank,SIR Light / Service Airbag Message, Service Suspension Message,Radio display blank, Steering Wheel Controls (SWC) not illuminated, Turn Signal no audible feedback,HVAC controls inoperative. During diagnostics a technician may find any of the following DTC's: B1011, B1370, B3980, U0020, U0029, U007D, U0073, U0078, U0100, U0101, U0102, U0104, U0140, U0151, U0155, U0164,U0184, U0186, U0198, U0422. Dealer is instructed to check Serial Data Gateway Module X2 connector for terminal c |
| 10007838 | DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT, SLIP, BUSY/CYCLING TCC OR NOISY COOLING FAN. *TT |
| 10005412 | SPRING SLAP NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE GMT 400 SERIES TRUCK. *MN |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation