Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1992 GMC Sierra
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
927.3%
Brakes
721.2%
Seat Belts
39.1%
Tires
39.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
26.1%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
26.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Other & Unspecified
13.0%
Doors, Latches & Locks
13.0%
Seats
13.0%
Fuel & Propulsion
13.0%
Median failure at 178,000 miles
Body & Structure
13.0%
Electrical System
13.0%
Median failure at 178,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
13.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Exactly what failed
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 1996peak 3Aug 2013
Recalls on the 1992 GMC Sierra
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
08E050000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
94V044001
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLES ALTERED BY PAS, INC. HAVE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS THAT CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION, WHICH CRACK THE E-GLASS WRAPPING. THIS STRESS CORROSION CRACKING CAN LEAD TO TANK RUPTURES.
Risk: IF THE TANK RUPTURES, PERSONAL INJURY TO INDIVIDUALS IN OR NEAR THE VEHICLE MAY OCCUR.
93V119000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
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.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
92V056000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
THE PIVOT BOLT HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ITS SUPPORT BRACKET MAY BE IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED AND MAY NOT HAVE ENGAGED THE LOCKING MATERIAL ON THE BOLT. THE BOLT CAN DISENGAGE FROM THE NUT.
Risk: IF THE PIVOT BOLT DISENGAGES FROM THE NUT WHILE THEVEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THERE WILL BE A LOSS OF BRAKE CONTROL AND COULD RESULT INA VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Grand Rapids, MICrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
HAD PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE POSITION WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. HAD NO AIR BAGS & NO INJURIES. VEHICLE TOWED TO BODY SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #835264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Goodyear, AZFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
UNDER CARRIAGE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FUMES STEMMED FROM WIRES AND GAS LINE. CONSEQUENCE: TORQUE CONVERTER BLEW. DEALER'S.., COMMENTS REPLACEMENT OF PRIOR RECALL BEFORE PURCHASE. CORRECTIVE ACTION DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #817691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chandler, AZCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 42 MPH, AND IT DID NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #802311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lagrange, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #506690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 178,000 milesCohasset, MN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY. INSTRUMENT PANEL DOESN'T WORK. WIRES MAY BE SPARKING ABOVE GAS TANK.
NHTSA complaint #10533453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 178,000 milesCohasset, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY. INSTRUMENT PANEL DOESN'T WORK. WIRES MAY BE SPARKING ABOVE GAS TANK.
NHTSA complaint #10533453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT. Huachuca, AZ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE PAINT HAS BEEN SLOWLY CHIPPING OFF, AND NOW THAT I HAVE HAD IT FOR THREE YEARS, IT HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. I USE IT MAINLY FOR DRIVING TO WORK ON THE FREEWAY AND THROUGH TOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10068990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10039660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Owemsboro, KY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AND OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE WASHER FLUID SPRAYER DOESN'T WORK CORRECT EITHER. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #885492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Owemsboro, KY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AND OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE WASHER FLUID SPRAYER DOESN'T WORK CORRECT EITHER. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #885492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pottstown, PA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD ON THE CONTINENTAL AMERICAN GENERAL 16 INCH 10 PLY TIRE BEGAN TO COME OFF THE LEFT BACK TIRE, CAUSING TRUCK TO SWERVE BACK AND FOURTH, CAMPER ON BODY OF TRUCK FELL OFF, TEARING SIDE PANEL ALMOST COMPLETELY FROM THE LEFT OF TRUCK. CJ
NHTSA complaint #559626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville Warrenton, AK
TIRES
TREAD SEPARATION - TREAD PEELED OFF FROM MAIN BODY OF TIRE AT 70 MPH. TIRE WAS INSPECTED BY A GOODYEAR DEALER AND HE GOOD NOT DETERMINE REASON FOR FAILURE. DEALER TALKED WITH MICHELLEN IN ORDER TO OBTAIN GUIDANCE ABOUT REASON FOR FAILURE. MICHELLEN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE REASON FOR FAILURE BUT OFFERRED AND ADJUSTMENT TOWARD A REPLACEMENT TIRE. TIRE WAS MANUFACTURERED AT FT. WAYNE, IN PLANT.( DOT NUMBER: BF11R41337 TIRE SIZE: 245/75/R16 )
NHTSA complaint #729887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodstock, GA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
RECEIVING END OF DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT BROKE AND WILL NOT HOLD THE BUCKLE INSIDE OF IT. DEALER SAID THE IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, CONSUMER FEELS THAT SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT, IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE DEALER.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #868715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesapeake, VA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WITH THESE TIRES, I HAD A TREAD SEPARATE FROM THE TIRE ON MY RIGHT REAR. THIS CAUSED ME TO SWERVE AND FISHTAIL ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC AFTER THE TRUCK WAS BACK ON ALL 4 WHEELS. THERE WAS REALLY NO WARNING TO ME THAT THIS WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IT OCCURED ON AN INTERSTATE AFTER I ENTERED IT APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES BACK. LUCKILY, I NOR ANYONE ELSE WAS INJURED, HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT THIS MODEL TIRE FROM FIRESTONE SHOULD ALSO BE LOOKED AT FOR DEFECTS. THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY TRUCK FROM THE DOOR BACK TO AND INCLUDING THE BUMPER SUFFERED SEVERE DAMAGE FROM THE LOOSE TIRE TREAD BEATING ON MY TRUCK BEFORE IT SEPERATED FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE, OF WHICH STILL IS PROPERLY INFLATED. THE TIRE ITSELF DID NOT BLOW. IN CONCLUSION, I AM EXTREMELY FORTUNATE AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM ABLE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT REPORT. I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW THE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE WHO DIED WHEN THEY EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING, HAD ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING OF WHAT WAS ABOUT TO OCCUR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MODEL FIRESTONE TIRE ALSO, NO ONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT I WENT THROUGH TODAY, OR ANYONE ELSE DIE FROM THIS DEFECTIVE BRAND OF TIRES. THANK YOU.*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 265X75X15 )
NHTSA complaint #727103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO LET UP BEFORE I COULD CONTINUE. LATER, DURING THE SAME DRIVE, I WAS ABLE TO TURN ON THE WIPERS, BUT THEN THEY WOULD NOT TURN OFF UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. REPORTED FAILURE TO DEALER AND I WAS CHARGED $149.90 TO REPLACE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT MODULE, P/N 12463017.
NHTSA complaint #720807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenwood, IN
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
MANUFACTURER'S RECALL # 99028 FOR THE SEAT RECLINER BOLTS FOR THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S FRONT SEATS. DEALER MODIFIED DRIVER'S SEAT, BUT NOT THE PASSENGER'S SEAT, AND SAID THAT HE IS NOT OBLIGATED TO FIX THE PASSENGER'S SEAT, AND WONT FIX I EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL SPECIFICALLY STATES THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER/S SEATS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #850888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bessemer, AL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ACTIVATED THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL START MOVING WHEN THEY ARE NOT NEEDED. BUT WHEN IT IS NOT RAINING THEY WORK FINE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #849913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakley, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECT, SEATBELTS ARE A SAFETY ITEM, IF OUR GRANDCHILDEN HAD BEEN WITH US, WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROTECT THEM, WE CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO HAVING NO SAFETY RESTRAINTS AT ALL, WE HAVE CONTACT A DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE ORDERING THE PARTS, ITS IS COSTING USMONEY THAT WE DON'T NOT HAVE. OUR TRUCK IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD AND NOT THAT MANY MILES ON IT, THE SEATBELTS SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN. THEY ARE CHEAPLY MADE, OF PLASTIC WITH PLASTIC INSIDE THE RESTRAINT BUCKLE.
NHTSA complaint #711048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elliton, CT
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
SLIDING DOOR LATCH ON THE INSIDE IS BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #845656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elliton, CT
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SLIDING DOOR INSIDE HANDLE BROKE, AND THE CONSUMER CAN'T USE THE SLIDING DOOR TO GET OUT.
NHTSA complaint #845547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED IT CAUSES VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE LEFT. INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE RELEASED, VEHICLE VEERS VAGUELY TO THE RIGHT. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #844123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Breckenridge, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
SOMETIMES WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT. SOMETIMES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT STOP UNTIL DRIVER TURNS OFF THE ENGINE. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #838522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Medesto, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT OUT. THIS CAUSED VERY POOR VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & THE MODULE WAS REPLACED 5 TIMES. EACH AND EVERY TIME THEY FAILED , THERE WOULD BE NO WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #836782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Rapids, MICrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
HAD PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE POSITION WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. HAD NO AIR BAGS & NO INJURIES. VEHICLE TOWED TO BODY SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #835264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hensley, AR
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
A RECALL WAS MADE ON OTHERS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT OUR TRUCK WAS NOT RECALLED AS FAR AS WE KNOW.
NHTSA complaint #703109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED DUE TO LEAKING FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #543342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
PASSENGER SIDE RETRACTOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #543342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aransas Pass, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #535779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Downers Grove, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #605708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.