1991 GMC Sierra recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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."
What could happen: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1991 SIERRA.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08E050000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-909-839-2992.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Summary: 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."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY HONDA, FORD, OR CHRYSLER LLC. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1991 SIERRA.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V119000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; DISK ROTORS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS AND VANS SOLD OR REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWINGSTATES: CT, IL, IN, MA, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, AND WI.NOTES: THE VEHICLES INVOLVED CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE FOLLOWING: THE 5THCHARACTER OF THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER MUST BE A "K" OR "L", AND THESEVENTH CHARACTER MUST BE "3","4","5","6", OR "9".IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPONSERVICE DATE, AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIMEAND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT ORNONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR NEAREST GMC TRUCK ZONE OFFICE. THE TELEPHONENUMBERS OF THE ZONE OFFICES ARE LISTED IN YOUR WARRANTY AND OWNER'S ASSISTANCEINFORMATION MANUALS. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETYADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (6), Hydraulic (6), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1), Unknown Or Other (1), Wheels / tires (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
11/04/2004 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
RECALL 03V159000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR: WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY DURING INCLEMENT CONDITION. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
07/19/2004 · Brakes
WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THEY FAILED TO STOP THE TRUCK IMMEDIATELY. THIS RESULTED AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS FAILURE HAS PROCESSED OVER TIME. THE BRAKE ROTORS ARE OF POOR QUALITY AND DETERIORATES. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 16,000 MILES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT 24,000 MILES. THE SECOND TIME THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED, TWO WERE T…
01/15/2004 · Unknown Or Other
LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON PAINT RECALL. MY FATHER CONTACTED GMC ABOUT HIS PAINT BUT HIS WARRANTY WAS UP. HE HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS, HE IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE PAINT IS LITERLY PEELING OFF.
08/14/2003 · Wheels / tires
BUBBLES WOULD DEVELOP ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. SIZE LT 26575R16.*AK
01/30/2003 · Steering
THE BOLTS WHICH HELD THE STEERING COLUMN IN PLACE HAD COME LOOSE. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS NO REPLACEMENT PART, HOWEVER THE ENTIRE COLUMN HAD TO BE TAKEN APART TO APPLY AN "ADHESIVE" TO PREVENT THE COLUMN FROM DROPPING. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED IT WAS COMMON FOR THE BOLTS TO COME LOOSE. *TS *DT *JB
04/27/2001 · Lights
BOTH HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE DRYED OUT AND CLOUDED OVER GREATLY REDUCING VISABILITY.*AK
08/29/2000 · Brakes
METALLIC BRAKE LINE HAS RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING A FLUID LEAK AND LOSS OF BRAKES. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
07/01/1999 · Seat belts
SEAT BELTS DO NOT LATCH. WHEN TRING TO LATCH A PIECE FALLS OUT OF THE HOUSING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK