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.
1978-1996 · 13 model years
GMC C15 Problems by year
Owners have filed 40 complaints about the GMC C15 across 13 model years, and it has 30 recalls. The 1994 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (7), while 1978, 1989, 1991 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the seats & seat belts, followed by the brakes.
- Complaints
- 40
- Recalls
- 30
- Crashes
- 5
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
C15 complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common C15 problems
GMC C15 recalls 30
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...
Vehicle description: crew cab pickup trucks. The front, inner corner of the fuel tank can contact the body sill either intermittently or constantly. This movement can cause a discernible noise and, over time, can wear a hole in or crack the fuel tank at...
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...
The four u-bolts nuts on either side of the rear axle were under-torqued.
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."
The seat recliner to seat frame attaching bolts on these vehicles could loosen, fatigue and fracture, allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.
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.
Certain trucks have fuel rail assemblies with an improperly crimped end retainer clip that results in a fuel leak.
The seat recliner to seat frame attaching bolts on these vehicle could loosen, fatigue and fracture, allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.
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."
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.
Latest C15 complaints
While driving during rainy weather front windshield wipers failed. *Ak
Recall # 95v246000 interior systems: seats, dealer does not have part to correct recall campaign. Owner is requesting a new seat. Please provide any further information. *Ak
The seatback on passenger's side has broken again. Seatback was corrected once under recall 96e010000 in 1997. This is the second time the seatback has broken. The driver's side has broken once. Manufacturer was notified about the problem. Problem has not been corrected. *Ak
Recall #97v037000, when contacting dealer to schedule an appointment for recall work, dealer stated that the recall was rescinded. Dealer waiting to hear from manufacturer, son's finger was cut by mechanism. Vehicle was finally fixed on 04/30/97. *Ak
Owner states while driving driver's side seatback will fall. Owner notes that dealres keep repairing problem with the same parts, but problem returns. *Ak
The dealer cannot repair the vehicle because the recall needs a new remedy. Please describe details. *Ak
Questions about the GMC C15
Which GMC C15 years have the most problems?
Which GMC C15 years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common GMC C15 problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the seats & seat belts (17), brakes (6), electrical system (4) most often.
How many recalls does the GMC C15 have?
NHTSA lists 30 recalls across all GMC C15 model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data