Gmc C/K SERIES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
76,145 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 2003 model years. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 22 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 36.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Seats: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 4; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 4; 2007: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10149827 · 2006-02-08 (February 8, 2006)
WHEN SLOWING DOWN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICK IN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE WHEEL BEARING. THE CONNECTION GETS CORRODED. I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ON NEWER VERSION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149827 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139225 · 2005-10-10 (October 10, 2005)
MY 1999 GMC SUBURBAN WAS TAKEN IN FOR BRAKING PROBLEMS TO A GMC DEALERSHIP. UPON BACKING AT SLOW SPEEDS A SPRING TENSION RELEASE IS HEARD AND LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITIES OCCUR FOR THREE TO FIVE SECONDS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT FORWARD SPEEDS A FORWARD IMPULSE OCCURS AFTER HAVING FULLY STOPPED WHILE FOOT REMAINS UPON THE BRAKE. YES, AN INVOLUNTARY LURCH FORWARD. DEALERSHIPS RESPONSE? MASTER CYLINDER. SAME CONDITION ON LEAVING DEALERSHIP. RETURNED. MECHANICS RESPONSE. "CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM." GMC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE RESPONSE? ABS RECALL DOESN'…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10139225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10705952 · 2015-04-15 (April 15, 2015)
AFTER DRIVING AT A CONSTANT MODERATE SPEED IN A STRAIGHT LINE, STEERING JERKS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SLIGHT STEERING ADJUSTMENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10705952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071180 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. SAME PROBLEM AS WE HAD REPAIRED ON OUR 1999 GMC 3/4 TON. THE 2003 HAS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. MY SON'S 2001 TAHOE HAS THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH HIS. FLYER ON ALL OF THESE VEHICLES ON INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. 1999 HAS HAD THE SHAFT REPLACED 6 TIMES. TAHOE HAS HAD SHAFT REPLACED 2 TIMES. 2003 HAS SAME PROBLEM AND THEY GREASED IT BECAUSE THEY SAY IT CAME FROM FACTORY WITH NO GREASE!!!! LOOKS AS IF THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM BROTHER-IN-LAW WORKS FOR GM AND SAYS THE 2004 SHOULD BE FIXED, HA,HA.
Owner-reported narrative. 26,132 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071180 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010179 · 2003-03-09 (March 9, 2003)
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 TRANSMISSIONS IN 3 YEARS ON MY GMC K1500 SIERRA. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT GMC KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NEVER TAKEN THE REQUIRED STEPS TO FIX IT OR INFORM THE OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM. GMC DEALERS SAY TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. THAT DONE, IT WILL BREAK AGAIN. THE ONLY CORRECT FIX IS A SHIFT PACKAGE THAT IS NOW BEING MADE. ALL PROBLEMS ARE RELATED TO THE TC LOCK UP BETWEEN 1-2 OR 3-4 GEAR THAT STICK AND DESTROY THE TRANSMISSION. GMC SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE FIXES ON MINE AND ALL OTHER OWNERS VEHICLES. IF EVERY OWNER W…
Owner-reported narrative. 87,090 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088178 · 2004-08-18 (August 18, 2004)
THE NHTSA DOCUMENTED AND ISSUED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 98V150001. THIS CAMPAIGN IDENTIFED SEVERAL GM LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS & SUV'S THAT HAD SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR THAT COULD CRACK AND CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. I OWN A 1996 GMC SIERRA 3/4 TON 4X4 TRUCK VIN # [XXX]. THE VEHICLE HAS 65,324 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THIS VEHICLE QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF A SEVERE RAIN STORM. WHILE SITTING ALONG SIDE THE ROAD FOR AN HOUR THE WIPERS BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. I THOUGHT I HAD A DEFECT WIP…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088178 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
1994: 1; 1995: 1; 1996: 1; 1997: 1; 1998: 0; 1999: 1; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 0