1988 GMC C25 recalls & complaints
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
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
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 C25.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V136000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- 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
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
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 C25.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V126000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- 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.
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
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 C25.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V125000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- 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.
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
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 C25.
- Book a repair at any authorized GMC dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V127000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- 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
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (1), Hydraulic (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)
01/19/2011 · Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 GMC PICKUP C25. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES LOCKED ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE CALIBERS WERE THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS NO LONGER BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,901. UPDATED 04/29/11