RecallMyCar

GMC C35 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 32 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints across 15 model years of the GMC C35 (1972–1996). The most-complained-about year is 1996.

32
safety recalls, all years
7
owner complaints, all years
1994
year with most recalls
1996
year with most complaints

Pick your GMC C35 model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1996 GMC C3553
1995 GMC C3570
1994 GMC C3572
1993 GMC C3520
1992 GMC C3510
1991 GMC C3510
1990 GMC C3520
1989 GMC C3510
1988 GMC C3521
1986 GMC C3530
1985 GMC C3531
1984 GMC C3530
1978 GMC C3520
1973 GMC C3510
1972 GMC C3510

What GMC C35 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The 1996 model year has the most, with 3.

All GMC C35 recalls (32)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a GMC C35, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Seats

    NHTSA 99V130000 Reported 59,381 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicle description: extended-cab pickup trucks equipped with high-back bucket seats. The seat recliner to frame attaching bolts can loosen, fatigue, and fracture allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove all foam and/or fabric sandwiched between the recliner assembly and the seat frame, install washers between the seat recliner and the seat frame at each attachment point, and install new attaching…

    Model years: 1992

  2. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 99V025000 Reported 988,587 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicle description: pickup trucks, crew cabs, utility trucks and sport utility vehicles. These vehicles were built with the polarity of the wiring for the zero adjust brake switch reversed from what was specified on the switch drawing. With the reversed polarity, the contacts in the brake switch can wear out prematurely. The brake…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake switch and reverse the wiring.

    Model years: 1994

  3. Seats

    NHTSA 97V037000 Reported 624,433 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicle description: extended cab and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with reclining seats and the easy-entry feature. These vehicles exhibit a condition in which a pinch point exists in the recliner mechanism that can trap and pinch a person's hand or finger(s) when the easy-entry feature is activated.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a protector cover over the recliner mechanism.

    Model years: 1995, 1996

  4. Bead (tires)

    NHTSA 96V117000 Reported 5,773 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    These tires have bead damage which occured during tire mounting.

    Remedy: Dealers will demount each tire and inspect for bead damage. If bead damage is found, the tire will be replaced.

    Model years: 1995, 1996

  5. U-bolt, leaf spring to axle (suspension)

    NHTSA 96V082000 Reported 16,918 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The four u-bolts nuts on either side of the rear axle were under-torqued.

    Remedy: Dealers will check the u-bolt nut torque and re-torque any loose u-bolts to specification.

    Model years: 1996

  6. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 96V057000 Reported 379,004 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    These vehicles were assembled with the throttle cable contacting the dash mat which could bind the throttle. This does not meet with the maximum return times required by federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, "accelerator control systems."

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect for adequate throttle cable to dash mat clearance, and if there is insufficient clearance, cut out a portion of the dash mat to provide proper clearance.

    Model years: 1995, 1996

  7. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 96V004000 Reported 3,047 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The steering column upper intermediate-shaft nut may not be torqued to proper specifications. The nut could loosen and detach allowing the through-bolt that secures the upper intermediate-shaft to the lower steering column shaft joint to fall out.

    Remedy: Dealers will torque the suspect fasteners to the proper specifications.

    Model years: 1995

  8. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 95V243000 Reported 623 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Certain trucks have fuel rail assemblies with an improperly crimped end retainer clip that results in a fuel leak.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel rail assembly and replace any fuel rail assembly with a julian date code of 95318 through 95338.

    Model years: 1996

  9. Seats

    NHTSA 95V246000 Reported 675,661 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The seat recliner to seat frame attaching bolts on these vehicle could loosen, fatigue and fracture, allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove all foam and/or fabric sandwiched between the recliner assembly and the seat frame, install washers between the seat recliner and the seat frame at each attachment point, and install new attaching…

    Model years: 1993, 1994

  10. Seat belts: front

    NHTSA 95V241000 Reported 630,099 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    If both the lap-belt and shoulder-belt energy management loops on the front seat belt assemblies release at or near the same time, acceleration forces can cause the buckle release mechanism to activate and allow the buckle to separate from the latch.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the stitching that creates the energy management loop in the shoulder belt(s).

    Model years: 1994, 1995

  11. Seat belts: front

    NHTSA 95V242000 Reported 40 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    These vehicles were built with front seat belt systems with no energy management loops and may not meet the head injury criteria requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection."

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the retractor portion of the seat belt assembly(s) with one having the newly designed energy-management twin-loop system.

    Model years: 1994, 1995

  12. Cooling unit and lines (power train)

    NHTSA 95V026000 Reported 13,853 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Due to a thin case casting, an external transmission leak can occur.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission case assembly for the involved case casting. If the assembly is involved, the transmission will be replaced.

    Model years: 1995

  13. Suspension: lower arm

    NHTSA 94V060000 Reported 30,148 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Trucks were assembled with the left-hand lower control arm to frame rear nut tightened below the specified torque. Low torque on this nut may allow the attachment bolt to loosed and subsequently fatigue and break. The bolt breakage can cause the left hand control arm to separate from the frame.

    Remedy: Dealers will tighten the left-hand lower control arm to frame rear nut to the proper torque specification.

    Model years: 1994

  14. Seats

    NHTSA 93V216000 Reported 1,375 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The seats have been assembled without bolts that connect the upper slave hinge to the seat back frame, or without bolts that connect the seat to the seat adjuster. In either case, the vehicles fail to conform to fnvss no. 207, "seating systems."

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect seats for missing bolts and install bolts if required.

    Model years: 1994

  15. Mid/rear assembly (seats)

    NHTSA 93V163000 Reported 303 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The rear bench seat does not meet the load requirements of FMVSS 207, "seating systems," because the manual latch mechanism on the folding full bench rear seat was attached to the back frame lower cross tube with domed head steel rivets instead of the bolts specified.

    Remedy: The rivets must be replaced with the correct bolts.

    Model years: 1993

  16. Pedals and linkages (service brakes)

    NHTSA 93V152000 Reported 70,154 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The brake pedal push rod retainer is missing, mispositioned or not properly seated.

    Remedy: Inspect vehicles to assure the brake pedal push rod retainer is present and fully seated in its correct position.

    Model years: 1994

  17. Tie rod assembly (steering)

    NHTSA 92V039000 Reported 3,404 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    There may be fatigue fractures of the tie rod through the damper stud mounting hole.

    Remedy: Replace the existing tie rod assembly, damper, and damper bracket with newly designed parts.

    Model years: 1991

  18. Suspension: lower arm

    NHTSA 91V217000 Reported 166,624 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The left hand lower control arm can crack starting at the rear flange and progressing to the ball joint mounting hole and eventually cause the lower ball joint to separate from the control arm.

    Remedy: Install a resinforced brace to the left hand lower control arm.

    Model years: 1985, 1986

  19. Pedals and linkages (service brakes)

    NHTSA 90V108000 Reported 1,962 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Loose pivot bolt holding the brake pedal to its support bracket could disengage from the nut.

    Remedy: Retorque brake pedal pivot bolts to specifications to prevent loosening.

    Model years: 1990

  20. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 90V015000 Reported 68 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    On c and k models, feed and or return fuel lines can contact the automatic transmission shift linkage cordon shaft. In addition, on k models lines may also contact front propshaft. In either case the fuel lines could be damaged resulting in a fuel leak.

    Remedy: Install newly designed fuel line routing bracket to prevent contact and, if necessary, replace fuel lines.

    Model years: 1990

  21. Trailer hitches

    NHTSA 89V078000 Reported 5,863 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    There may be below specified torque on the trailer hitch attaching fasteners, allowing the trailer hitch to move under towing loads.

    Remedy: Correct torque in trailer hitch fasteners to prevent trailer separation.

    Model years: 1989

  22. Linkages (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 87V125000 Reported 8,893 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    Model years: 1988

  23. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 87V127000 Reported 1,521 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Trucks may have cracked or broken door striker nuts, which do not conform to FMVSS 206.

    Remedy: Replace existing door striker nuts.

    Model years: 1988

  24. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 87V002000 Reported 86,152 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Trucks failed to comply with requirements of FMVSS 301, fuel system integrity, during a 30 MPH frontal barrier test.

    Remedy: Install an additional shield to the front of the original shield to protect the fuel tank.

    Model years: 1984, 1985, 1986

  25. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 86V131000 Reported 106,111 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The push pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out. Consequence of defect: sudden loss of the headlights under severe weather or nighttime driving conditions could reduce driver visibility which might result in a vehicle crash without…

    Remedy: Replace headlight switch as necessary.

    Model years: 1986

  26. Rim (wheels)

    NHTSA 85V156000 Reported 861 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The wheel may develop cracks between the disc and rim. Consequence of defect: if this occurs and is not noticed, the crack could increase around the rim, resulting in separation of the rim from the disc, loss of control and an accident may occur.

    Remedy: Replace wheels having the suspected manufacturing code number.

    Model years: 1985

  27. Hubcap/cover (wheels)

    NHTSA 84V136000 Reported 305 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    In some 16 x 6 disc wheels a manufacturing defect may cause the wheels to crack in the drop center portion of the rim. If the crack were to occur on a wheel with a tube type tire mounted to it, and continued to go undetected, the wheel could split, resulting in a rapid loss of air from the tire.

    Remedy: The dealer will inspect each wheel and replace it if necessary, without charge.

    Model years: 1984

  28. Tie rod assembly (steering)

    NHTSA 84V031000 Reported 767 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The front steering alignment may not have been completed. The tie rods, a part of the steering linkage which transmits steering movements to the wheels, may not have been fastened completely. The alignment of the steering will affect the vehicle"s handling properties. Incomplete fastening of the steering tie rod may lead to complete…

    Remedy: Tie rod clamp fasteners will be inspected. If necessary, the toe-in will be set, and the tie rod clamp fasteners will be tightened. There will be no charge for these services.

    Model years: 1984

  29. Carrier/rack (equipment)

    NHTSA 78V177000 Reported 237,693 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The nut on the carrier support bolt assembly may break which would allow the entire wheel and tire assembly to separate from the vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace the tire and wheel carrier bolt assembly at no charge.

    Model years: 1978

  30. Suspension

    NHTSA 78V116000 Reported 29 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The left and right front suspension crossmember strut rods, which give added strength, may have been omitted during assembly. Consequently, a frame crossmember crack could eventually develop at the forward vertical front suspension bolt.

    Remedy: Dealer will install the necessary front left and right rods without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1978

  31. Wheels

    NHTSA 73V212000 Reported 7,984 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1973

  32. Bumpers (structure)

    NHTSA 72V241000 Reported 260 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1972

Other GMC models

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.