VehicleVerdict

1989 GMC Sierra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 1989 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.

22

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Sierra years?

Sierra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 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, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sierra years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 GMC Sierra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes523%
Seat Belts418%
Steering29%
Lighting29%
Tires & Wheels29%
Electrical System29%
Fuel System29%
Speed Control15%
Engine15%
Body & Structure15%

Does the 1989 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.

“HIT A POTHOLE ON ROAD AND WHEEL FELL INTO HOLE, THERE WAS ENOUGH DOWNWARD WHEEL TRAVEL TO PULL PARKING BRAKE CABLES TIGHT, CAUSING REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 15, 1996

“SEAT BELTS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, FAIL TO RETRACT AND REACT TO SUDDEN STOP. SEAT BELTS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE AND A LAW IN MOST STATES AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · October 8, 2008

“PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE, TIRE TREAD FLAPPING AGAINST UNDER WELL OF VEHICLE. RIGHT REAR PASSENGER'S TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE, P23575R15 M/S. CONSUMER WASN'T HURT. CONSUMER CONTACTED FIRESTONE.*AK FIRESTONE P235/75/R15 *MW ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 1, 2000 · crash

“AT THE BEGINNING OF MAY THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET BLEW THEN ABOUT 1 1/2 WEEKS LATER THE MAIN ENGINE BEARING WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE 100,000 AND ISN'T USED IN ANY EXTREME MANNER EXCEPT TO GO BACK FORTH FROM WORK AND OTHER FAMILY ESSENTIALS. WHAT DO WE DO? WE'VE REPLACED THE PARTS AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 1, 2000

1989 GMC Sierra — common questions

Is the 1989 GMC Sierra reliable?

The record is thin — 22 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1989 Sierra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (5 complaints), seat belts (4 complaints), fuel system (2 complaints).

Does the 1989 GMC Sierra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 GMC Sierra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 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.