Gmc C1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
77 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1970 to 1996 model years. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 77 complaints (15.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 16.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 5.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 12 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 7 |
| Seats | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 3 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 12; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 7; Seats: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 3; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 69 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 26 |
| 1996 | 17 |
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
1995: 26; 1996: 17; 2000: 11; 2001: 8; 2002: 3; 2003: 4; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 854229 · 2000-01-27 (January 27, 2000)
AFTER APPLYING BRAKES AND COMING TO A STOP, PEDAL EASES DOWN AND STARTS TO CREEP FORWARD UNLESS PRESSURE IS CONSTANTLY APPLIED. DEALER CAN NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 854229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 971251 · 1995-08-29 (August 29, 1995)
SIXTY-FORTY SPLIT SEAT; WHEN BRAKING, BACK REST WILL LEAN FORWARD W/ PASSENGER CAUSING ENTIRE BACK AND SEAT REST TO SLIDE FORWARD. KT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 971251 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964218 · 1995-04-24 (April 24, 1995)
THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AS RESULT OF OVERFLOW OF FILLER TUBE DUE TO HEAVY LOAD TOWED IN OVERDRIVE WHICH WAS FAILURE TO WARN CONSUMER IN OWNERS MANUAL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964218 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970735 · 1995-08-17 (August 17, 1995)
PURCHASE TRUCK NEW HAD TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970735 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979304 · 1996-02-16 (February 16, 1996)
TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING, ESPECIALLY WHEN STARTING VEHICLE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967983 · 1995-06-29 (June 29, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERATIVE DUE TO BOLT BEING MISSING OR FALLING OUT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967983 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959965 · 1995-02-13 (February 13, 1995)
STRAP HOLDING FUEL TANK UP FELL OFF. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959965 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114517 · 2005-03-23 (March 23, 2005)
ENGINE WOULD NOT START ON OCCASION FUEL PUMP NOT RUNNING TRUCK TAKEN TO GARAGE TO HAVE CHECKED FOR PROBLEM FOUND WIRES INSIDE OF FUEL TUEL TANK TO HAVE INSULATION AND PLUGIN MELTED EXPOSING BARE WIRES MAKING CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10114517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962487 · 1995-03-23 (March 23, 1995)
SHORT CIRCUIT IN TURN INDICATOR WIRING CAUSING A FIRE INSIDE THE CABIN. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962487 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 |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
1981: 1; 1985: 0; 1988: 1; 1989: 2; 1990: 2; 1991: 1; 1992: 1; 1993: 1; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0