Complaints
22
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 GMC Sierra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#12 complaints
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
#22 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
#32 complaints
Seat Belt Issues
Considering a 1989 GMC Sierra?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 GMC Sierra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 GMC Sierra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Sierra Years
1989 GMC Sierra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 GMC Sierra reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1989 GMC Sierra has 22 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights with 2 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 GMC Sierra?
Top reported problems: Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights (2 complaints); Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System (2 complaints); Seat Belt Issues (2 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1989 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 GMC Sierra include 2 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 GMC Sierra have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 GMC Sierra as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 GMC Sierra?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full GMC Sierra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 GMC Sierra
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99