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1988 GMC C1500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 1988 GMC C1500, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints63 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 6, 1999. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 GMC C1500 has problems

6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system21
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Seats10
Steering10
Suspension11
Tires10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1988 GMC C1500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 93V-016 · Feb 1, 1993 · 1,702,880 vehicles

Risk. THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other C1500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the C1500 median. How we score

'70'73'74'81'85'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 GMC C1500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITYEA92041 · closed Mar 9, 1995
    No recall
  2. REAR BRK LIGHTS STAY ONPE88019 · closed Mar 31, 1988
    No recall
In owners' words

What C1500 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONSUMER'S WIRING HARNESS IS MELTING, THE WIRING AND THE BRAKES AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE BURNING OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN NINE YEARS. *AK
Complaint 809914 · Mar 12, 1997
ON DECEMBER 4, 1999, WHILE FUELING THE TRUCK FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT OF THE FILL SPOUT AREA RESULTING IN TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE TRUCK AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE GAS STATION. UPON INVESTIGATION BY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE INVESTIGATOR IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE AN ACCIDENTAL ELECTRICAL FIRE.
Complaint 715691 · Dec 6, 1999

Own a 1988 C1500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.