Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 GMC Sierra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Windshield wipers get stuck, move, and will stop. Then, they will start up again, and stop. A module was installed. Currently, windshield wipers do not work at all. Dealership stated that vehicle had another problem, a burning smell, that was not related to the recall, and they won't do any other repairs.
My windshield wipers only work intermitedly and I found the recal for it on this site. 996 GMC Sierra pickup..the dealorship is saying even though my wipers are broken they cannot repair for free because my particular VIN # isn't on the list.
A recall describing this exact failure and remedy has been issued for the exact same vehicle.NHTSA campaign id number:98v15001/ windshield wiper motor. The dealer has made repairs to this vehicle in the form of exactly the method described in said recall.we paid for the repair,as we were told that this vehicle was not covered under recall.it seems odd that this item would fail(considering the small useage here in california)in the same way as those other vehicles who were issued a recall notice.I was told that the VIN number was not included in the recall.I was wondering if you have recieved inquires from other GMC owners who also had this problem.possibly the problem is more extensive than acknowledged.had I not checked your website I would not have known that a problem existed.it would be interisting to know if other consumers just went ahead and paid for the repair as I did,because …
My truck has thewindshield wiper problem that a safety recall has been ordered on. GM claims that my VIN number is too high and my truck is not affected even though it is obvious to anyones eyes it is. The recall number is 98043 or NHTSA # 98V150001. I have been noticing my wipers being intermittent and continuously getting worse. GM refuses to recognize this as a safety issue. I tried contacting anyone and everyone to no avail. I made a case to them to which the customer no service rep told me that GM would look into it if they saw alot of complaints come in. Its obvious that their recall did not cover all the vehicles affected because I have the exact problems that are described in the recall. I am hoping that someone can see this as a safety issue that GM should stand up to and fix. I welcome a response please. Thank you.
Windshield wipers failed numerous times. I had to physically move the wipers to make them move again. GM recall on this problem does not include my vehicle only because of VIN #. I'm experiencing all the problems the recalled vehicles have./ on the second problem. I was having smoke coming out of my column due to the multi-function switch going bad. This switch controls the cruise control, turn signal, wipers, hazard lights etc. The turn signal relay kept going off , sounding like the hazards were on all the time. I notified the dealer and they confirmed other people were having similar problems with this type of vehicle.
Recall 98V150001/windshield wiper wiring: vehiclewindshield wipers work intermittently. Problem can result in inoperative windshield wipers reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing risk of a vehicle crash. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under recall due to VIN. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
Sometimes windshield wipers will come on and sometimes they will not. Sometimes the wipers will come on consumer bumps them with hand. Sometimes the windshield wipers quit working in the middle of operation. Dealer was called about thie problem. Owner was told that truck was not included in recall. The problem has not been corrected. Please provide any further information.
My problem exists (exactly) as described in your recall database, NHTSA campaign id number: 98V150001. I inspected the circuit card and found the cracked solder joints as you described. GMC customer assistance advises that my VIN is not covered by the recall. Perhaps there are more vehicles on the road with this dangerous problem than GMC admitted.
Request for reimbursement for replacement of defective wiper circuit. GMC initially denied request to cover the cost of repairs. The consumer then replaced the part himself. Afterwards, he sought reimbursement. Since the consumer didn't provide the receipt for the replaced part, GMC wouldn't reimburse him the $161.00 dollars.
Recall 03V159000. The dealership replaced the defective component for the windshield wipers with a bad part. This made the windshield wipers inoperative. Also the dealership misjudged the cause of the windshield wiper failure, and wanted to charge the consumer for a part that they thought was the cause of the problem.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, GM has expanded the population of safety recall 98v-150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Sierra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1996 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1996 GMC Sierra, 34% of the model year's 246 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › motor (52 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 GMC Sierra window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V150001 (windshield wiper/washer, Jul 1, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 GMC Sierra window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.