Gmc K1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
55 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
99,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1967 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 9 of 55 complaints (16.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 21.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.8% |
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 | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 5 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 3 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 2 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 5; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 4; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 3; Seats: 3; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch: 2
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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 47 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 | 12 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 14 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1995: 12; 1996: 6; 2000: 14; 2001: 5; 2002: 8; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 2; 2010: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 734964 · 2000-10-23 (October 23, 2000)
TRUCK PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGED AND TRUCK ROLLED DOWN EMBANKMENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973785 · 1995-10-23 (October 23, 1995)
DURING NORMAL BRAKING CONDITION, THE BRAKE RELEASE AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, THEN ABS LIGHT COMES ON, RESULTING IN LONG STOPPING DISTANCE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969932 · 1995-08-07 (August 7, 1995)
VEHICLES HAS HAD BALL JOINT FAILURE WHILE DRIVING HAS COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING.HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY CAR UNDRIVABLE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969932 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 874827 · 2000-11-13 (November 13, 2000)
STEERING WHEEL DISCONNECTED & FELL OFF WHILE TURNING IN A DRIVE THROUGH WINDOW. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE TO HAVE WORK DONE. GMC MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED & WOULD LIKE TO PLUG UP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOT WHO WILL COVER COST OF REPAIR. GMC DID NOT GUARANTY TO PAY FOR IT BECUSE IT WAS A 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH 200,000 MILES ON IT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 874827 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 980674 · 1996-03-13 (March 13, 1996)
ENGINE; WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLS/HESITATES/STUMBLES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 980674 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963719 · 1995-04-13 (April 13, 1995)
VEHICLE INFREQUENTLY STALLS/HESITATES/SHUTSDOWN AT HIGH SPEEDS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8019036 · 2002-09-19 (September 19, 2002)
CABLE BROKE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE TO VEHICLE UNDER CARRIAGE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE OWNER WAS ATTEMPTING TO HOOK WIRING FROM TRAILER TO TRUCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8019036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978507 · 1996-01-31 (January 31, 1996)
EA94-029 ACTIVE, ELECTRICAL SHORT,ALTERNATOR SHORTED WHILE DRIVING UNDER THE HOOD ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976001 · 1995-12-04 (December 4, 1995)
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976001 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10557522 · 2013-12-28 (December 28, 2013)
MY GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK ON THE ABOVE DATE, WHEN ONE OF THE REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND NEARLY RESULTING IN A REAR-END COLLISION WITH A VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF HER. ALSO, ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, I HAD ANOTHER BRAKE LINE FAIL WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I REPLACED IT, THINKING IT WAS NORMAL, HOWEVER I HAVE NOW DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER GM OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ADDITIONALLY, EARLIER THIS YEAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH IS IN THE TANK. WHEN I REMOVED THE TANK, THE FUEL LINE…
Owner-reported narrative. 151,160 miles reported. Look up ODI 10557522 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 |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
1985: 0; 1988: 1; 1989: 2; 1990: 2; 1991: 1; 1992: 1; 1993: 1; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0