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GMC S15Years to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 54 owner complaints and 13 safety recalls on record for the GMC S15.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints54Top: Service brakes, hydraulicSafety recalls131980–2001 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

GMC S15 years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S15 median. Tap a year for its full report.

'80'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'01
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2001Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1999Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1998Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1997Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1996Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1995Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1994Not rated–/1006 complaints · 2 recalls1993Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls1992Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1991Not rated–/1008 complaints · 3 recalls1990Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1989Not rated–/1008 complaints · 1 recall1988Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1987Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1986Not rated–/1003 complaints · 2 recalls1985Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1984Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1983Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1982Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1980Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common GMC S15 problems

All model years combined: 54 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
Service brakes, hydraulic186
Visibility80
Electrical system82
Seat belts72
Engine and engine cooling72
Steering40
Exterior lighting30
Seats22
Fuel system, gasoline21
6 other systems82
13 recalls

GMC S15 recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Power train: manual transmission96V-035 · 1996 · Feb 22, 1996 · 24,906 vehicles–Cooling system: fan95V-180 · 1995 · Sep 22, 1995 · 73,163 vehicles–Vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings94V-228 · 1994 · Nov 21, 1994 · 30,263 vehicles–Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap94V-014 · 1994 · Jan 26, 1994 · 117,200 vehicles–Cooling system: fan93V-008 · 1989–1992 · Jan 14, 1993 · 215,052 vehicles–Control arm: lower arm90V-193 · 1991 · Nov 14, 1990 · 237 vehicles–Visibility: windshield90V-107 · 1991 · Jun 4, 1990 · 181 vehicles–Linkages: tie rod assembly87V-021 · 1987 · Feb 25, 1987 · 60 vehicles–Other: labels86V-140 · 1986 · Oct 21, 1986 · 10,064 vehicles–Headlights: switch86V-131 · 1986 · Sep 19, 1986 · 106,111 vehicles–Drum: wheel cylinders85V-048 · 1982 · Apr 29, 1985 · 1,810,000 vehicles–Manual transmission: lubricant84V-073 · 1982–1983 · Jun 18, 1984 · 35,919 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 13 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

7 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the S15

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA94029 · 1989–1993 · closed Jul 31, 1996
    No recall
  2. SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILUREPE90039 · 1982–1988 · closed Jun 29, 1990
    No recall
  3. REAR AXLE SHAFTEA89003 · 1983–1987 · closed Aug 24, 1990
    No recall
  4. REAR AXLE FAILUREPE88047 · 1983–1987 · closed Nov 7, 1988
    No recall
  5. FRCTR OF P/S PUMP BRCKTPE88002 · 1987 · closed Apr 22, 1988
    No recall
  6. ELECT. FAILURES/FIRESPE87003 · 1983–1984 · closed Jul 16, 1987
    No recall
  7. BRAKE BACKING PLATEEA86006 · 1982 · closed Nov 28, 1988
    No recall