1989 Gmc S15: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Module is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 8 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 12.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Seats: 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. 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 1; 1999: 1; 2002: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Module leads the component reports. Braking 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 10073033 · 2004-05-23 (May 23, 2004)
I BOUGHT A 1989 JIMMY S15 LAST YEAR. DROM THE REPAIR BILLS THAT CAME WITH THE TRUCK THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THIS TRUCK IN THE SHOP COUNTLESS TIMES FOR SURGING. WHENEVER I AM STOPPED AT A LIGHT ETC- THE TRUCK SURGES FORWARD. I AM AFRAID OF AN ACCIDENT, ESPECAILLY WITH MY MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE TRUCK.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103298 · 2005-01-24 (January 24, 2005)
CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FRONT LEFT BLINKER. FOR SOME REASON THE OUTSIDE BLINKER STOPPED WORKING EVEN THOUGH THE INSIDE SIGNAL ON DASHBOARD STILL WORKED. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10103298 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482537 · 1995-03-24 (March 24, 1995)
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482537 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500981 · 1996-02-08 (February 8, 1996)
REAR SUSPENSION REPLACED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500981 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 548784 · 1999-10-14 (October 14, 1999)
FAILURE OF THE HEATER CORE RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY AND NEAR ACCIDENT WHEN A THICK YELLOW STICKY GAS/FLUID CAME OUT OF VENTS AND COATED THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE TRYING TO DEFROST. MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 548784 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 566619 · 2002-07-10 (July 10, 2002)
THE CONSUMER (WHO IS NOW DECEASED HAROLD BRIDGES) WAS DRIVING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST WHO WAS DRIVING RECKLESSLY, THE CONSUMERS SEAT ADJUSTER RAILING FAILED, WHICH ATTRIBUTED TO SEVERE INJURIES IN WHICH THE CONSUMER WAS KILLED, HOWEVER THE MOTHER, ROSA LEYVA IS WRITING IN ON BEHALF OF HER SON EDWARDO LEYVA WHO WAS CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER IN THE INCIDENT BELIEVES IF GMC WOULD HAVE TAKEN RESPONSIBILTY FOR THE DEFECTIVE SEAT RAILING OF CONSUMERS VEHICLE, HER SON WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER.*JB…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959734 · 1995-02-08 (February 8, 1995)
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING, UNDER THE HOOD FIRE, EA94-029 ACTIVE WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 966419 · 1995-06-07 (June 7, 1995)
BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL/SKID. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966419 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
93V008000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
Reported: 1993-01-14 (January 14, 1993)
THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADES BREAK AS A RESULT OF FATIGUE AND/OR VEHICLE INDUCED STRESS.
Consequence: IF THE BLADE BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE HOOD IS OPEN, APERSON WORKING UNDER THE HOOD OR IN THE VICINITY OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE STRUCKAND INJURED BY THE BLADE SEGMENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED FAN ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
8 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 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 806166ABS BRAKES, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, IN FOR REPAIRS, NO LEAK AND CONTINUES LOSS OF EFFECTIVENESS. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 562.5%ODI 7110641) OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED AT 37K MILES & WOULDN'T PASS STATE EMISSION INSPECTION, WHOLE SYSTEM REWIRED. OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED AGAIN AT 73K MILES, NEW SENSOR INSTALLED. OXYGEN SENSOR FAILING AT 117K MILES. HAVE NOT HAD IT REPLACED YET. (2) ABS SYSTEM FAILED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AND FIXED (UNDER WARRANTY-NO DETAILS FROM DEALER). ABS FAILED AGAIN AT 37K MILES. CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. ABS FAILED AGAIN AT 117K MILES, SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF SEVERAL WHEEL SENSORS. ABS SYSTEM ISSUE AT 140K MILES - SENSORS AND BACKING PLATES (?). | 133.3%ODI 735374ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES PREMATURLY CAUSING ABS MOTOR ENGAGEMENT. THIS LEADS TO BRAKE PEDAL PULSATIONS AND CONSEQUENTLY COMPLETE PEDAL EXCURSION. THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT REACTS AS IF IT WILL NOT STOP! THERE ARE NO WARNING INDICATIONS WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURS NOR ARE THARE ANY HARD OR SOFT CODES SET STORED IN THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE RETURNS TO NORMAL STOPPING OPERATION UNTILL THIS BAZAR OCCURANCE HAPPENS AGAIN. IT IS HIGHLY INTERMITTANT AND SEEMS TO FOLLOW A TEMPERATURE RELATIONSHIP. THE LONGER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN,THE FREQUENCY OF EVENTS INCRE… | 250.0%ODI 842692ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE; THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT TO INDICATE THAT BRAKES WENT OFF.BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR.CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER. *AK | 350.0%ODI 710985OUR 1994 GMC JIMMY WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MY WIFE AND HAD MY TWO CHILDREN INSIDE. SHE EXITED THE PARKING LOT OF THE LOCAL FOOD STORE. AFTER CROSSING TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET, SHE NOTICED TRAFFIC STOPPED AHEAD FOR THE UPCOMING STOPLIGHT. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED, AND SHE STARTED A FOUR CAR CHAIN REACTION. THIS RESULTED IN THE DAMAGE OF FOUR VEHICLES AND THREE EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS. (INCLUDUNG MY SON, WHO HIT & BROKE THE WINDSHIELD). IT APPEARS THAT EVERYONE IS O.K. AT THIS POINT, ALL LEAVING UNDER THEIR OWN POWER. THER… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 266.7% | 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. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 968574THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT LATCH AND RELEASES ON ITS ON. PLEASE DESCRIBE. | 112.5% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 225.0%ODI 974203REAR PASSENGER CENTER SEAT BELT BUCKLE, MALE WON'T GO INTO FEMALE PORTION. TT | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| 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. | 266.7%ODI 526439WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, COULD AFFECT VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER OR NIGHT DRIVING. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 825435WHILE DRIVING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL MALFUNCTION, WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *SLC | 133.3% | 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. |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 133.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 810996VEHICLE WAS PARKED, UNDER THE DASH COMPARTMENT FIRE BROKE OUT, WILL PROVIDE FIRE REPORT. *AK | 112.5%ODI 780630ABS FAILED; ELECTRONIC DASH PANEL BURNED UP; AND THE REAR AXLE SHAFT BEARING FAILED. | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 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. | 125.0%ODI 10629471 · 142,000 miIGNITION KEY IS NOT ABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM CAR. *TR | 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% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 133.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 10073033I BOUGHT A 1989 JIMMY S15 LAST YEAR. DROM THE REPAIR BILLS THAT CAME WITH THE TRUCK THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THIS TRUCK IN THE SHOP COUNTLESS TIMES FOR SURGING. WHENEVER I AM STOPPED AT A LIGHT ETC- THE TRUCK SURGES FORWARD. I AM AFRAID OF AN ACCIDENT, ESPECAILLY WITH MY MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE TRUCK.*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. | 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. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 828338WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. INSURANCE COMPANY CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AT THE TIME. *SLC | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 10103298CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FRONT LEFT BLINKER. FOR SOME REASON THE OUTSIDE BLINKER STOPPED WORKING EVEN THOUGH THE INSIDE SIGNAL ON DASHBOARD STILL WORKED. *AK *NM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 986127WHEN ACTIVATING THE BLINKERS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL ACTIVATE AT THE SAME TIME. *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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 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.
1999: 0 complaints · 2001: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 | 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 | Electrical System:Ignition:Module | Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 1ODI 548784FAILURE OF THE HEATER CORE RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY AND NEAR ACCIDENT WHEN A THICK YELLOW STICKY GAS/FLUID CAME OUT OF VENTS AND COATED THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE TRYING TO DEFROST. MJS | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 548784FAILURE OF THE HEATER CORE RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY AND NEAR ACCIDENT WHEN A THICK YELLOW STICKY GAS/FLUID CAME OUT OF VENTS AND COATED THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE TRYING TO DEFROST. MJS | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.