U.S. public vehicle records

1988 Gmc K15: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

2 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1988 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting	1	50.0%
Steering behavior	1	50.0%

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.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 2 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.

1995

1996

1995: 1; 1996: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 801164 · 1996-08-22 (August 22, 1996)

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM AREA OF REAR BUMPER, PULLED OVER, FIRE COMING FROM UNDERHOOD WAS CAUSED BY BUILT UP PRESSURE THAT FORCED TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF FILLER TUBE, SPRAYED ONTO ENGINE, PLASTIC COATING/HOSES, ETC. MELTED ONTO GROUND.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801164 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 965253 · 1995-05-12 (May 12, 1995)

STEERING WHEEL BOLTS THAT SCREWS IN THE WHEEL ARE LOOSE. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965253 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

87V125000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages

Reported: 1987-08-10 (August 10, 1987)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

87V126000 · Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly

Reported: 1987-08-10 (August 10, 1987)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

87V127000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch

Reported: 1987-08-10 (August 10, 1987)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

87V128000 · Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber

Reported: 1987-08-10 (August 10, 1987)

INCORRECT FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER UPPER AND LOWER NUTS COULD LOOSEN.

Consequence: SHOCK ABSORBER COULD DETACH AND COME IN CONTACT WITHFRONT BRAKE HOSE; THIS CONTACT COULD RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE HOSE AND LOSS OFFRONT BRAKES.

Remedy: REPLACE FREE SPINNING NUTS WITH TORQUE NUTS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

89V107000 · Equipment:Other:Labels

Reported: 1989-07-06 (July 6, 1989)

TIRE SIZE DATA ON CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INCORRECT.

Consequence: INCORRECT TIRE INFORMATION FAILS TO CONFORM TOFMVSS 120.

Remedy: AFFIX NEW CERTIFICATION LABEL WITH CORRECT INFORMATION.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

93V119000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor

Reported: 1993-08-02 (August 2, 1993)

SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.

Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 2 records

100.0%Valid incident date2 / 2 records

100.0%Valid filing date2 / 2 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates2 / 2 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1982	1985	1986	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Seats	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	330.0% ODI 509700 SEAT FRAME/ANCHOR RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS. Look up ODI 509700 at NHTSA ↗	225.0% ODI 805061 WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED SEAT TRACK ANCHOR FAILURE WHEN DRIVER'S SEAT DETACHED FROM ANCHOR, ROCKING FORWARD. *AK Look up ODI 805061 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	220.0% ODI 967775 PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR BRAKES, LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, EQUIPPED WITH ABS SYSTEM BRAKES. TT Look up ODI 967775 at NHTSA ↗	225.0% ODI 976098 ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE, UNDER 10 MPH ABS LOCKED UP, WHILE DRIVING. TT Look up ODI 976098 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	225.0% ODI 810243 THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 5 TIMES BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK Look up ODI 810243 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 982507 DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 30 TO 35 MPH. *AK Look up ODI 982507 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	110.0% ODI 984788 DRIVING VEHICLE, TRAILER BEING PULLED, NOTICED SMOKE & PULLED OVER, FLAMES STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD, COULD NOT PUT FLAMES OUT, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK Look up ODI 984788 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 801164 WHILE DRIVING NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM AREA OF REAR BUMPER, PULLED OVER, FIRE COMING FROM UNDERHOOD WAS CAUSED BY BUILT UP PRESSURE THAT FORCED TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF FILLER TUBE, SPRAYED ONTO ENGINE, PLASTIC COATING/HOSES, ETC. MELTED ONTO GROUND.*AK Look up ODI 801164 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	110.0% ODI 963600 DRIVER SIDE SEAT FELL BACKWARD WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH, CAUSING SEAT BACK FAILURE. TT Look up ODI 963600 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 850837 SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND CAST OUTER SECETION, CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 93V11900. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK Look up ODI 850837 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1995: 8 complaints · 1996: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1995	4	8	8
1996	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1995	4	4	0
1996	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	—	0
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.

Complaints over time data
Category	Count
1995	1
1996	1