1988 GMC C1500
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1988 GMC C1500. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1988 GMC C1500. Newest first.
Unanticipated heat in the transmission can force the transmission fluid out of the vent tube.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The vented transmission fluid can catch fire if exposedto a source of ignition.
Remedy
Install a longer transmission vent hose routed to the left side of the engine compartment of the vehicle.
Owner complaints
6 complaints1 involved a crash1 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
On december 4, 1999, while fueling the truck flames started coming out of the fill spout area resulting in total destruction of the truck and substantial damage to the gas station. upon investigation by the los angeles county fire investigator it was determined to be an accidental electrical fire.
- Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS brake lights stay on after brake pedal IS depressed & released. also, seats have no head rest. Can cause a whiplash effect if vehicle IS hit from behind. Been to dealer for brakes, but will not install headrest. *ak
- Steering › Linkages
Pitman and idler control arms failed.
- Electrical system › Wiring · Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Consumer's wiring harness IS melting, the wiring and the brakes and tail lights are burning out. This has happened three times in nine years. *ak
- Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
Missing spare tire from the mounting underneath the truck. tt
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
While driving at approx. 35Mph, suddenly the passenger front wheel detached from axle, no prior warning, due to lower ball joint failure. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel system integrity
There is no summary currently available
- Rear brk lights stay on
Summary of information from manufacturer:on some 1988 c/k model trucksthe brake lights have been found to stay on after the brake pedal has beenreleased.in a majority of cases, the stoplamp switch being misadjustedhas been the cause.other possibilities include (a) binding at the eyelet of the brake booster rod and its…
Summary of information from manufacturer:on some 1988 c/k model trucksthe brake lights have been found to stay on after the brake pedal has beenreleased.in a majority of cases, the stoplamp switch being misadjustedhas been the cause.other possibilities include (a) binding at the eyelet of the brake booster rod and its attachment pin and (b) pedal mountingbushings not being properly lubricated.gm believes that if the vehicleis either accelerating or traveling at a constant speed, and the stop lampsremain on, a following driver would likely follow at a greater distancebecause of uncertainty of the actions of the vehicle in front of him.gmconcludes that this IS true because there are no reported accidents whereit IS alleged the brake lights stayed on.to the contrary, brake lightswhich are always on appear are indistinguishable from normal tailightoperation and therefore fail to signal braking/deceleration which IS theonly function of the brake lights.apparent infant mortality supports theposition that no defect trend IS developing.although the alleged defectmay occur at any given time (it does however appear to occur at any giventime early in the life of the vehicle), once the brake lights are stuck inthe on position, the lights remain on until the battery goes dead or thecondition IS otherwise detected and corrected.the alleged defect affectsonly the early production 1988 model vehicles and gm has issued a servicebulletin advising service personnel of the possibility of the allegeddefect and how to remedy the problem. #======
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 634339Some customers may comment on front door hinge pin bushing wear, front door sag, or door chucking movement in extreme operating conditions.
Every GMC C1500 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.