VehicleVerdict

1988 GMC Sierra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 1988 GMC Sierra — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

6

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1988 compare to other Sierra years?

Sierra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted721 complaints1976: 2 complaints1977: 4 complaints1979: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 5 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 6 complaints1989: 22 complaints1990: 30 complaints1991: 12 complaints1992: 33 complaints1993: 109 complaints1994: 221 complaints1995: 327 complaints1996: 310 complaints1997: 302 complaints1998: 230 complaints1999: 721 complaints2000: 557 complaints2001: 333 complaints2002: 291 complaints2003: 248 complaints2004: 224 complaints2005: 152 complaints2006: 65 complaints2007: 71 complaints2008: 84 complaints2009: 48 complaints2010: 43 complaints2011: 67 complaints2012: 46 complaints2013: 46 complaints2014: 132 complaints2015: 67 complaints2016: 8 complaints2017: 77 complaints
Sierra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sierra years to avoid →

What are the most common 1988 GMC Sierra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels233%
Brakes117%
Speed Control117%
Suspension117%
Transmission117%

Does the 1988 GMC Sierra have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

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.

93V119000BrakesAugust 2, 1993 · 341,364 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. UNIROYAL LARADO ALL SEASON. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHILE PULLING A 24 FOOT TRAILER, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING FRONT UNIROUAL LAREDO TIRE 37000 MILES ON, SIZE LT 245/75R16C, DOT#AN11DAU143, TREAD SEPARATED FROM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 1, 1994

“WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY BECOME HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE BRAKES, THEY CANNOT BE REPAIRED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

“THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE ACC.ELERATOR BRACKET BROKE AT THE POWER STEERING PUMP/I ALSO HAD A CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN THAT USED THIS SAME BRACKET AND IT BROKE ON ME AT THE SAME EXACT SPOT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 26, 2000

“WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES MALFUCTIONED, CAUSING A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH SPRAYED TRANSMISSION FLUID ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING A FIRE. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 16, 1998 · fire

1988 GMC Sierra — common questions

Is the 1988 GMC Sierra reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1988 GMC Sierra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1988 GMC Sierra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1988 GMC Sierra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Sierra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 1998, 2004, 1994, 2005, 2014, 1993. The cleanest record among Sierra years belongs to 1979.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.