RecallPlainVehicle recalls, explained in plain English

1988 GMC C15 recalls & complaints

3 high-risk recalls and 1 owner complaints. Check every recall is completed before buying.
4recalls
3high risk
0stop-driving
1complaints

Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.

4 safety recalls, most serious first

High risk Campaign 87V136000 · announced 01/09/1987 (39 years ago)

1. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. RIGHT AND LEFT HAND BRAKE HOSE MAY CONTACT THE WHEEL OR TIRE IN A FULL TURN.

What could happen: IF THE HOSE MAKES CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL OR TIRE IT WILLEVENTUALLY WEAR THE HOSE TO A POINT OF RUPTURE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF THEFRONT BRAKES. LOSS OF FRONT BRAKES WOULD INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE WHENMINIMUM TIME IS REQUIRED AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

The fix: INSTALL NEW REPOSITIONING BRACKETS FOR THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES.

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 C15.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V136000.
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: RIGHT AND LEFT HAND BRAKE HOSE MAY CONTACT THE WHEEL OR TIRE IN A FULL TURN.
Consequence: IF THE HOSE MAKES CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL OR TIRE IT WILLEVENTUALLY WEAR THE HOSE TO A POINT OF RUPTURE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF THEFRONT BRAKES. LOSS OF FRONT BRAKES WOULD INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE WHENMINIMUM TIME IS REQUIRED AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW REPOSITIONING BRACKETS FOR THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKE/HOSEVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS

High risk Campaign 87V126000 · announced 10/08/1987 (39 years ago)

2. Steering

What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. ONE OR BOTH OF OUTER TIE ROD NUTS MAY BE LOOSE AND NOT CRIMPED.

What could happen: LOSS OF ONE OR BOTH NUTS COULD LEAD TO TIE RODDISENGAGING FROM STEERING KNUCKLE RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.

The fix: REPLACE TIE ROD AND KNUCKLE AND SET TOE-IN.

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 C15.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V126000.
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Summary: ONE OR BOTH OF OUTER TIE ROD NUTS MAY BE LOOSE AND NOT CRIMPED.
Consequence: LOSS OF ONE OR BOTH NUTS COULD LEAD TO TIE RODDISENGAGING FROM STEERING KNUCKLE RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.
Remedy: REPLACE TIE ROD AND KNUCKLE AND SET TOE-IN.
Notes: SYSTEM: STEERING/TIE ROD NUTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS.

High risk Campaign 87V125000 · announced 10/08/1987 (39 years ago)

3. Vehicle Speed Control

What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. CRUISE CONTROL CABLE LOCK MECHANISM MAY SELF DISENGAGE CAUSING ERRATIC OPERATION OR THROTTLE NOT RETURNING TO IDLE.

What could happen: ENGINE SPEED WOULD NOT DECREASE; LOSS OF ACCELERATORCONTROL COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

The fix: INSTALL A CLAMP AROUND THE LOCK TAB OF CRUISE CONTROL.

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 C15.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V125000.
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
Summary: CRUISE CONTROL CABLE LOCK MECHANISM MAY SELF DISENGAGE CAUSING ERRATIC OPERATION OR THROTTLE NOT RETURNING TO IDLE.
Consequence: ENGINE SPEED WOULD NOT DECREASE; LOSS OF ACCELERATORCONTROL COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSTALL A CLAMP AROUND THE LOCK TAB OF CRUISE CONTROL.
Notes: SYSTEM: CRUISE CONTROLVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH CRUISE CONTROL.

Moderate Campaign 87V127000 · announced 10/08/1987 (39 years ago)

4. Latches / locks

What's wrong, in plain English: Doors, hood or trunk may open unexpectedly. TRUCKS MAY HAVE CRACKED OR BROKEN DOOR STRIKER NUTS, WHICH DO NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 206.

What could happen: IN A COLLISION, CRACKED OR BROKEN STRIKER NUT COULDALLOW DOOR TO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY AND POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.

The fix: REPLACE EXISTING DOOR STRIKER NUTS.

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 C15.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V127000.
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Summary: TRUCKS MAY HAVE CRACKED OR BROKEN DOOR STRIKER NUTS, WHICH DO NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 206.
Consequence: IN A COLLISION, CRACKED OR BROKEN STRIKER NUT COULDALLOW DOOR TO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY AND POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: REPLACE EXISTING DOOR STRIKER NUTS.
Notes: SYSTEM: DOOR LOCKS/FMVSS 206.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS.

Useful for owners

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Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

1complaints
0crashes
1fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.

Read recent complaints (1)

05/14/1996 · Transmission / drivetrain · fire
THE TRANSMISSION CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. AND PULLING A TRAILER. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

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