Gmc K2500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
160,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1967 to 1996 model years. Data snapshot: . 5 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 3 of 24 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 33.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 8.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 8.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.2% |
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 | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 2; Suspension: 2; Tires: 2; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 2; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 3
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 19 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 | 2 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 4; 2000: 4; 2001: 3; 2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2007: 2; 2009: 1; 2011: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 738747 · 2001-01-03 (January 3, 2001)
I TRIED TO STOP IN WHICH I HAD ENOUGH TIME TO STOP THERE AND I REAR ENDED A VEHICLE MY BRAKES WENT THE FLOOR. THERE WERE NO BLACK MARKS SHOWING ANY SKID. I HAVE LOOKED ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BRAKES AND FOUND THAT THERE IS IN FACT PROBLEMS. BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID NO TROUBLE CODE WAS SENT SO THEY CAN'T HELP US. I ALSO HAD A SECOND EPISODE OF THE BRAKES GOING TO THE FLOOR AND ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET INFORMATION STATED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS BUT WITH NO FIX FOR THE P…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 738747 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10631250 · 2014-09-06 (September 6, 2014)
TRUCK STALLED, LOST POWER, STEERING BRAKES. HAPPEN ALSO TWO YEARS AGO AND HAD FUEL INJECTOR PUMP REPLACED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10631250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048156 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S RADIATOR, ENGINE, FRONT AXLE, REAR AXLE AND OTHER PROBLEMS.*MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM. THE ENGINE WAS A 305 INSTEAD OFF THE FAVORED 350. AS A RESULT THE ENGINE USED ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED PROBLEM. THE FRONT AXLE HAD PROBLEMS. THE REAR AXLE IS THE OLD STYLE AND THE FLUID IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. AN ALTERNATIVE WAS SUBSTITUTED BUT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 32 DEGREES THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP INTO HIGH GEAR. IT ALSO WO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048156 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080946 · 2004-07-13 (July 13, 2004)
TRANSMISSION REFUSES TO SHIFT AT TIMES HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. WE HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO BE FIXED SEVERAL TIMES. THEY SAID THEY REBUILT THE WHOLE THING BUT IT IS STILL HAPPENING. NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO IT TO DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED. IT ON INCIDENT DATE I'LL PUT TODAY BUT AS I SAID IT'S HAPPENED SINCE WE BOUGHT IT..... I ACTUALLY CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHEN IT STARTED AND SUPPOSEDLY HAVE A CASE FILE BUT DON'T KNOW FOR SURE. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10080946 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 857556 · 2000-02-25 (February 25, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE VEICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. HAD TO HIT GAURDRAIL TO STOP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857556 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034019 · 2003-08-07 (August 7, 2003)
COMPLAINT REGARDING 1986 GMC K-2500. *MR THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 1986 AND THOUGHT IT WAS NEW, BUT IT WASN'T. IT WAS ORIGINALLY REGISTERED IN CALIFORNIA AND HAD COME WITH A 1978 CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND WAS REBUILT, AND WAS SOLD TO A COMPANY IN CANADA. THE VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY BROUGHT INTO THE US, THEN RESOLD AS COMMERCIAL SALES. (ALL LEGAL) THERE WERE A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE REPLACEMENT, SUCH AS THE GAS TANK WHICH HAD FAILED. *SCC *JB *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10034019 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 |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
1986: 0; 1988: 2; 1989: 2; 1990: 2; 1991: 1; 1992: 1; 1993: 1; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0