1990 Gmc K2500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
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.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
1996: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting 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 512564 · 1996-11-27 (November 27, 1996)
TRANSMISSION PLUG BLEW, CAUSING FLUID TO BURN/FIRE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 512564 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 806606 · 1996-12-20 (December 20, 1996)
WHEN TRYING TO INSERT THE SEAT BELT INTO THE BELT BUCKLE, THE DRIVER'S AND REAR SEA BELT BUCKLES DO NOT LATCH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 806606 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
90V170000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1990-09-17 (September 17, 1990)
TRUCKS CAN CONTAIN INCORRECT INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PROPERLY ADJUST REAR SEAT LAP-SHOULDER BELTS AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 209.
Consequence: INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED SEAT BELT WOULD NOT PROPERLYRESTRAIN OCCUPANT IN AN ACCIDENT OF SUDDEN STOP; TRUCKS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITHFMVSS 209.
Remedy: PROVIDE OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING THE CORRECT REAR LAP-SHOULDER BELT INSTRUCTIONS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗93V016000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 1993-02-01 (February 1, 1993)
UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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: 2026-09-30.
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.
| Component | 1986 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 00.0%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. | 125.0%ODI 524676DURING EMERGENCY STOP THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED UP, CAUSING FLAT SPOTS ON ALL 4 TIRES. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 738747I 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… | 114.3%ODI 810947OWNER HAS ABS BRAKES, HE STATES THAT HIS ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AT LOW SPEEDS, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELS VEY HARD.OWNER FURTHER NOTES THAT HE HAS HAD A LOT OF WORK DONE ON THE BRAKES BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES. *AK | 220.0%ODI 809431ABS BRAKE FAILURE, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON EXTREMELY SLICK ROADS, IT FEELS LIKE THERE ARE NO BRAKES AT ALL. ALSO, EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE/PEDAL FADING. *AK | 642.9%ODI 10199008 · 199,960 miABS BRAKES ON MY 1996 K2500 SUBURBAN ACTIVATE AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 709707I'D LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT TRANSMISSION RECALLS IN 1994 GMC TRUCKS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 265-75-R16 ) | 220.0%ODI 10080946TRANSMISSION 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seats | 00.0%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. | 125.0%ODI 712312THE HARDWARE WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO ADJUST THE SEAT ON THE TRACK BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO SLIDE FORWARD DURING BREAKING, WHICH THEN CAUSED HARDER BREAKING NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 110.0%ODI 843930FRONT LEFT HAND BOLT THAT BOLTS SEAT TO RAIL BROKE, CAUSING SEAT TO MOVE. DEALER CONTACTED AND REPAIRWORK NOT DONE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK | 17.1% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 00.0%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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 704282THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SOMETIMES WON'T WORK WHEN ACTIVATED, THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT WILL SUDDENLY COME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND IT IS HARD TO SEE. THE DEALER STATED THAT MY TRUCK WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL OF THE WIPER CONTROL BOARD. THE BRAKING PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PADS 5 TIMES AND THE ROTORS 3 TIMES IN 36,000 MILES. THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING AT ALL. FOR SOME REASON THE FRONT BRAKES ARE DOING ALL THE BRAKING WORK AND WORP/CRACK THE ROTORS. … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 214.3%ODI 522975VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT/RIGHT UPON BRAKING. DIRECTION IS NOT PREDICTABLE PRIOR TO BRAKING. IN ADDITION, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS/PADS/ROTORS AND HOSES. *AK |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 706742ALL THE LINES, FUEL AND BRAKE NEAR LEFT REAR WHEEL, AND TOP OF FUEL TANK, HAVE CORRODED. THIS HAS LED TO TWO NEAR DISASTERS, (ALMOST A CRASH(BRAKE LINE) AND FIRE(LEAKING GASOLINE). THESE LINES SHOULD NOT CORRODE THIS BADLY IN 10 YEARS. MANY CARS LAST 20 OR MORE YEARS. *AK | 00.0%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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 110.0%ODI 10178143 · 58,700 miTL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A GMC K2500 TRUCK. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THE FUEL LINE BROKE AND THE BRAKES WOULDN'T ENGAGE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED AN AFTER MARKET FUEL LINE. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS INLINETUBE.COM. ON THE ORIGINAL GM FUEL LINES WHERE THE O-RING WAS LOCATED, THE LINES WERE NOT ALTERED TO FIT. THE LINES THAT THE CONTACT RECEIVED FROM INLINETUBE.COM DID NOT HAVE ROOM FOR THE O-RING, WHEN THE FUEL LINE WAS INSTALLED THE O-RING WAS REMOVED. THE CONTACT BELIEVESDTHE FUEL LINE WAS IMPROPERLY MADE AND WILL LEA… | 17.1%ODI 522975VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT/RIGHT UPON BRAKING. DIRECTION IS NOT PREDICTABLE PRIOR TO BRAKING. IN ADDITION, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS/PADS/ROTORS AND HOSES. *AK |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 00.0%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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 704282THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SOMETIMES WON'T WORK WHEN ACTIVATED, THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT WILL SUDDENLY COME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND IT IS HARD TO SEE. THE DEALER STATED THAT MY TRUCK WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL OF THE WIPER CONTROL BOARD. THE BRAKING PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PADS 5 TIMES AND THE ROTORS 3 TIMES IN 36,000 MILES. THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING AT ALL. FOR SOME REASON THE FRONT BRAKES ARE DOING ALL THE BRAKING WORK AND WORP/CRACK THE ROTORS. … | 110.0%ODI 802546CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WINDSHEILD WIPERS COME ON WHENEVER THEY PLEASE.*AK | 17.1%ODI 764097WINDSHIELD WIPERS FUNCTION WORKING INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. PROBLEM ORIGINALLY OCCURRED ONLY IN INTERMITTANT AND "LOW" SETTING, BUT NOW ALSO AFFECTS OPERATION IN "HIGH" SPEED.*AK |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 00.0%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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 836472WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PLUG NEXT TO THE FIRE WALL LOOSENED, CAUSING WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO MALFUNCTION AND VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. ALSO, MAY RESULTIN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 214.3%ODI 783647THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, THE CONSUMER HAS RECONNECTED THE SWITCH, BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR STILL OCCURS. *SLC |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 00.0%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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 801423CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BENCH BOLT ON THE UPPER HINGE BROKE AND SEAT RECLINED BACKWARDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK | 114.3%ODI 978371WHILE DRIVING THE BOLT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. CAUSING THE DRIVER TO FALL BACKWARDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%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 | 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.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | 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.
1995: 3 complaints · 1996: 7 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 1996 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| 1996 | 6 | 8 | 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 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | — | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.