RecallMyCar

GMC S15 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 54 owner complaints across 20 model years of the GMC S15 (1980–2001). The most-complained-about year is 1989.

13
safety recalls, all years
54
owner complaints, all years
1991
year with most recalls
1989
year with most complaints

Pick your GMC S15 model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2001 GMC S1501
1999 GMC S1501
1998 GMC S1502
1997 GMC S1502
1996 GMC S1513
1995 GMC S1513
1994 GMC S1526
1993 GMC S1504
1992 GMC S1513
1991 GMC S1538
1990 GMC S1513
1989 GMC S1518
1988 GMC S1502
1987 GMC S1513
1986 GMC S1523
1985 GMC S1501
1984 GMC S1510
1983 GMC S1510
1982 GMC S1520
1980 GMC S1501

What GMC S15 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA. The 1989 model year has the most, with 8.

All GMC S15 recalls (13)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a GMC S15, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Manual transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 96V035000 Reported 24,906 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Some of these trucks were built with transmissions containing parts which were not machined to GM's specifications.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission main shaft output torque using a special tool. If the output torque does not meet specifications, the transmission will be replaced.

    Model years: 1996

  2. Fan (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 95V180000 Reported 73,163 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Fan blade rivet breakage can occur causing the fan blade to separate from the spider.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace, if necessary, the fan with a newer fan having thicker-headed rivets.

    Model years: 1995

  3. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 94V228000 Reported 30,263 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    A vacuum hose can detach from the power brake booster check valve as a result of engine backfire.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a clamp on the power brake booster assist.

    Model years: 1994

  4. Filler pipe and cap (fuel system)

    NHTSA 94V014000 Reported 117,200 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The fuel tank filler pipes were not manufactured to specification which caused loss of fuel between the fuel tank filler pipe and the vent tube during a test. The loss of fuel was in excess of the amount permitted by FMVSS no. 301, "fuel system integrity."

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel filler pipe on these vehicles.

    Model years: 1994

  5. Fan (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 93V008000 Reported 215,052 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The engine cooling fan blades break as a result of fatigue and/or vehicle induced stress.

    Remedy: Install a newly designed fan assembly.

    Model years: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992

  6. Suspension: lower arm

    NHTSA 90V193000 Reported 237 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Nuts used to attach lower control arms, rear spring and shackle, and rear shock absorbers do not meet specifications and could "strip".

    Remedy: Replace lower control arm attachment nuts as well as rear spring and shackle, and rear shock absorber nuts.

    Model years: 1991

  7. Windshield (visibility)

    NHTSA 90V107000 Reported 181 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Use of improper primer on metal surfaces of windshield and side window openings could cause low adhesion to the metal surface and would not provide retention required by FMVSS 212.

    Remedy: Remove and reinstall glass using proper primer.

    Model years: 1991

  8. Tie rod assembly (steering)

    NHTSA 87V021000 Reported 60 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Inner tie rod to relay rod nuts on steering linkage may be iimproperly torqued and not crimped.

    Remedy: Replace steering linkage assembly.

    Model years: 1987

  9. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 86V140000 Reported 10,064 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Tire and wheel information on certification label may be incorrect. Consequence of defect: trucks fail to comply with FMVSS 120.

    Remedy: Install certified label with correct information.

    Model years: 1986

  10. 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

  11. Wheel cylinders (service brakes)

    NHTSA 85V048000 Reported 1,810,000 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Excessive enlargement of the wheel cylinder pilot hole in the rear brake backing plate could allow the wheel cylinder to rotate and cause loss of brake fluid. Consequence of defect: a loss of brake fluid leads to loss of rear brake action, creating the potential for an accident. Front brakes would remain operational.

    Remedy: Add a part to prevent wheel cylinder from rotating.

    Model years: 1982

  12. Lubricant (power train)

    NHTSA 84V073000 Reported 35,919 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Rear wheels may lock suddenly due to insufficient lubrication between mainshaft and first gear.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace transmission fluid with a blended fluid and in addition, will update the maintenance schedule.

    Model years: 1982, 1983

  13. Recliner (seats)

    NHTSA 84V011000 Reported 76,586 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Some vehicles have bucket seat back locks that do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard 207, anchorage of seats. In event of a crash, the seat back lock may not function.

    Remedy: Inspection of seat back locks will be performed. Locks that have bent, broken or missing hooks will be replaced.

    Model years: 1984

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.