Menu

1988 GMC SierraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 1988 GMC Sierra, most often about the tires. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints61 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Tires

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 10, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 GMC Sierra has problems

6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Tires20
Power train11
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Suspension10
Vehicle speed control10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1988 GMC Sierra recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Sierra year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sierra median. How we score

'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 GMC Sierra, and the recalls they led to.

  1. W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILUREPE91133 · closed Dec 5, 1991
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sierra owners report

Recent tires complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE,. AFTER PULLING OVER AND EXITING THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED.*AK
Complaint 10087615 · Aug 10, 2004
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 8005526 · Mar 12, 2002

Own a 1988 Sierra?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.