Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 4% | 1,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 4% | 24,000 miles |
| 2016 | 2 | 6% | 120,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 4% | 0 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% | 0 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 5% | 25,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 5% | 47,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% | 45,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% | 25,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 3% | 135,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% | 55,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% | 45,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% | 45,000 miles |
| 2002 | 6 | 2% | 52,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 2% | 97,000 miles |
| 2000 | 12 | 3% | 47,000 miles |
| 1999 | 18 | 3% | 84,000 miles |
| 1998 | 30 | 16% | 80,000 miles |
| 1997 | 23 | 10% | 85,000 miles |
| 1996 | 83 | 34% | 72,000 miles |
| 1995 | 140 | 54% | 103,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
First and most importantly my brakes are my main issue and safety problem. I nearly ran into the car in front of me at a busy intersection. My trucks brakes lose pressure after the first initial stop coming to any traffic lights, stop sign, slow traffic, parking lots etc... No matter how slow or fast the trucks movement is. First break attempt is OK but 2nd starts losing pressure and 3rd attempt is complete lost of pressure anf and the truck just rolls until it slowly comes to a stop. I worry about the safety of myself and others motorist regarding this issue. My second complaint is my driver side mirror. Every time I get into my truck and start it. My driver side mirror moves out of its setting and I constantly have to fix it.
My windshield wiper fluid only sprays out 30% of the time. Usually in the morning then any other time of the day it will not spray out. They replaced the pump and that did not fix it and they won't do anything else and now it is out of warranty. When running lower rpms driving the truck it begins to feel like its shaking forward and backwards, like a shuddering feeling. I have read about other people having this problem and it describes mine perfectly. I have the 8speed
I purchase this vehicle nov. 2013, and ever since I notice that the headlight on this vehicle do not light the road properly, whether you have them in low or high beam. The distance of the low and high beam appear to be the same (at times it seems the highs) are aiming skyward. Not to long ago I almost ran over a woman and a child who were crossing a street over to my left when I was attempting to make a left turn (this was a dark area). Luckily I was going slow when I was making the turn and was able to see them when the headlights hit them and came into view. By this statement I am trying to point out that there no lighting to either side of the vehicle, I am sure (positive) that if I would have been making a right turn an accident would have happen. Are there any recalls regarding this problem? If not, I think there should one. …
The headlights on this truck provide inadequate lighting, including both low beams and high beams. Any night driving is difficult due to limited visibility, there simply is not enough illumination to see. Can be very dangerous - especially at speeds above 35 MPH or during precipitation. The headlight has a severe design flaw with gms approach at a shutter system. This type of design does not leave any options for simply changing the type of bulb - the design is actually at fault for the poor visibility. The visibility problems simply cannot be fixed with a different bulb type due to the shutter design type. Many complaints are being registered online related to the visibility problem. These trucks are not safe to drive at night. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 GMC Sierra. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired under a possible silent recall to replace the sun roof glass. After the vehicle was repaired, the contact stated there was a leak in the sun roof. The dealer was notified and made an offer to the contact and told the contact to speak with the dealer who sold him the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 45,065.
Windshield wiper motor failure. The wipers kept operating at low speed with the switch position being irrelevant. Only 44500 mi. On the vehicle. Since, the motor control module is not available separately the complete motor assembly had to be replaced.
GMC Sierra. I have had it in for the mirrors vibrating 4 times. I can not see 200 feet behind my vehicle at times as required by california vc 26709. GMC has called it a safety issue and blames it on the following in an email I received 12/23/03. After much discussion with technical sources, we have come to the following conclusions. The vibration in your mirrors is a characteristic of the vehicle. Therefore, swapping out the mirror with one of the same type, which is the only type your vehicle can accommodate, will not solve that problem. I think there should be a recall.
The mirrors on my GMC 1500 z71 truck keep breaking. I've only taken it through the car wash, when the attendent folds in the mirrors on both sides, when finished I fold them back and then they break. It has happened 2 times and the cost is $200 per mirror. Very unreasonable for a mirror. I have called GM(case 1-328469134) and they refuse to do antthing for me.
Related recalls (2)
Visibility › Windshield
Certain pickup trucks fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting." some of these vehicles lack a continuous urethane bonding bead between the body surface and the windshield.
Remedy: Dealers will remove, reseal, and reinstall the windshield. Owner notification began on January 28, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Sierra years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (140), 1996 (83), 1998 (30), 1997 (23) and 1999 (18) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 54% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra window & wiper problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 03V-018 (windshield, Jan 23, 2003); 98V150001 (windshield wiper/washer, Jul 1, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Sierra window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield wiper/washer › motor (170 mentions), followed by the windshield wiper/washer (102).
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.