1996 GMC Sierra 3500 SX review from North America
"Lemon"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
- 4 injection pumps
- transmission ($3k or so to fix)
- power steering pump
- various front end components (ball joint, steering linkage)
- front brake cylinder
- transfer case 4wd sending switch
- front hub 4wd engagement solenoid.
General comments?
This is a beautiful looking truck. It's a 1 ton crew cab with all the options. Very nice to drive, very smooth for a 1 ton. However, it eats parts and $$ like there's no tomorrow. I'm never going to own another vehicle that is newer than 1992.
The electronic injection pump on this truck failed 3 times in 100,000km. Luckily it was under an extended warranty until 190,000kms. The last one only made it about 12,000kms.
The 4l80e transmission is supposed to be good, but I guess by "good" they mean expensive and manages to make it 180,000kms. Not good in my book.
If it was just a few things it wouldn't be too bad, but every time I touch the thing something fails. I'm afraid to drive it!
In short I'm very unimpressed. We also have a Toyota Corolla with 390,000kms on it that has had 1/10th the amount of work done to it.
Recommended reviews
| A good truck for around town.. |
|
| 1993 - Sierra SL Regular Cab Long Box 4x4 4.3 Liter V6 Cheap, indestructible workhorse. Enough said |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model year | 1996 |
| Year of manufacture | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2006 |
| Engine and transmission | 6.5L turbo diesel Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 2 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 6 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 120000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 218000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Chevrolet Lumina |
| Date of Entry | 17th October, 2006 |