1988 GMC C15 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 1988 GMC C15, and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 1988 GMC C15
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
Right and left hand brake hose may contact the wheel or tire in a full turn.
Remedy: Install new repositioning brackets for the front brake hoses.
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Linkages (vehicle speed control)
Cruise control cable lock mechanism may self disengage causing erratic operation or throttle not returning to idle.
Remedy: Install a clamp around the lock tab of cruise control.
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
One or both of outer tie rod nuts may be loose and not crimped.
Remedy: Replace tie rod and knuckle and set toe-in.
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
Trucks may have cracked or broken door striker nuts, which do not conform to FMVSS 206.
Remedy: Replace existing door striker nuts.
1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1988 GMC C15 have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA; 1 describe a fire. Complaints peaked in 1996 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The transmission caught on fire while driving. And pulling a trailer. Please describe. *ak”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 14, 1996 · Power train
Compare GMC C15 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every GMC C15 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 GMC C15 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 GMC C15 | 1 | 1 |
| 1982 GMC C15 | 2 | 0 |
| 1985 GMC C15 | 1 | 0 |
| 1986 GMC C15 | 2 | 0 |
| 1988 GMC C15 | 4 | 1 |
| 1989 GMC C15 | 1 | 1 |
| 1990 GMC C15 | 2 | 2 |
| 1991 GMC C15 | 0 | 1 |
| 1992 GMC C15 | 2 | 6 |
| 1993 GMC C15 | 2 | 7 |
| 1994 GMC C15 | 8 | 7 |
| 1995 GMC C15 | 6 | 10 |
| 1996 GMC C15 | 5 | 4 |
Checking a specific 1988 GMC C15
How do I know if my 1988 GMC C15 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1988 GMC C15; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised GMC dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 87V125000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other GMC models
- Sierra 15008,930 complaints
- Acadia5,569 complaints
- Yukon4,989 complaints
- Sierra3,937 complaints
- Terrain3,124 complaints
- Jimmy2,720 complaints
- Envoy2,459 complaints
- Yukon XL2,417 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.