Owners have filed 33 complaints
about the 1995 GMC C1500 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2009.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 59
Against the median year of the GMC C1500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
36.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 2Sep 2009
NHTSA investigations into the 1995 GMC C1500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE97027Opened 17 Jun 1997Closed 31 Oct 1997SEATS
DRIVERS SEAT FAILURE
THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THE DRIVERS SEAT MOUNTING FAILS, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO MOVE OR TIP REARWARD INTO A RECLINED POSITION.
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Black Lick, PAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1995 GMC C1500 CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0583-89
NHTSA complaint #10284353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Independen, MI2 injured1 killed
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES LOCKED AND VEHICLE SKIDDED, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/PERMANENT INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #513732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Wayne, INCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER CAR AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY .*AK CONSUMER STATES HE HIT ANOTHER TRUCK GOING ABOUT 30-35 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #803570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ragland, WACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS GOING (40) MPH AND GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK, BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE, CONSUMER HIT A GUARD RAIL, ALSO NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS.
NHTSA complaint #987138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ragland, WACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
CONSUMER WAS GOING (40) MPH AND GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK, BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE, CONSUMER HIT A GUARD RAIL, ALSO NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS.
NHTSA complaint #987138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salinas, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 25-35MPH ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #984564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Black Lick, PAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1995 GMC C1500 CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0583-89
NHTSA complaint #10284353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calgary-Alberta Canada, 00
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10099727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brewton, AL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
CONSUMER NOTICED WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #10040439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Soddy Daisy, TN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHEN DRIVING AT 55 MPH WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, OR IN SOME CASES DO NOT WORK AT ALL, CAUSING POOR DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER INDICATED THAT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #882053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trinidad, CO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CONSUMER NOTICED A GASOLINE ODOR BY PASSENGER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING. DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #877240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrieta, CA
SEATS
DRIVER'S BUCKET SEAT BROKE. WAS ON PEDESTAL MOUNTED TO FLOORBOARD. WAS REPAIRED ONCE. BROKE AGAIN DUE TO THE POWER SEAT ADJUSTER FAILING TO MOVE SEAT FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE DONE TO SEAT DUE TO AGE OF VEHICLE. OWNER REPAIRED SEAT PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME.
NHTSA complaint #855737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenfield, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WATER COLLECTS IN THE HOUSING OF THE HEADLIGHT BULBS AND BLOWS THE BULBS. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN.
NHTSA complaint #824688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mendota Hgts,, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FAILS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN TEMPERATURE IS 90+. ENGINE RESTARTS AFTER A FEW MINUTES.
NHTSA complaint #781237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Galveston, IN
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON WHICH MEANS THERE IS A SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE CONFIRMED THERE IS A SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #828032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Door, MI
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK ABOUT 45 MPH THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BUSTED. THE OWNER HAS REPAIRED THE SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #822343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, GA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL BE WORKING, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE MOTOR BEGINS TO HUM AND THEREAFTER THE WIPERS WILL STOP FOR APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MINUTES WITHOUT TURNING THEM OFF. THEY WOULD INADVERTENTLY START WORKING AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #821798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, GA
SEATS
PE97027; THE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACKS AND FRAME BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE FRAME TO MOVE BACKWARDS AND THE TRACK MALFUNCTIONED. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #820622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elkhart, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER ALSO ON NOTICED THE PEDAL GETS VERY SOFT AT TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #818665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER WERE REPLACED DUE TO HARD TO PUSH PEDAL OR SOFT/SPONGY PEDAL. SINCE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THESE (2) COMPONENTS, BRAKES STOP WITH ERRATIC PERFORMANCE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #817558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Independen, MI2 injured1 killed
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES LOCKED AND VEHICLE SKIDDED, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/PERMANENT INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #513732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melm City, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, CAUSING THE PEDAL TO ALMOST HIT THE FLOOR THEN PEDAL BECOMES HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #810424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Downers Grove, IL
SEATS
THE FRAME THAT HOLDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN CAUSING THE SEAT TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH. PROBLEM IS BEING FIXED BY DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #808864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wabash, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES IN WET WEATHER, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LOCKS UP.
NHTSA complaint #807133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granbury, TX
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHEN SHIFTING GEARS THE TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. REPLACED THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION ONCE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, DEALER PUT IN A NEW CLUTCH THAT DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM, DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM HE WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH AND THAT GM HAD MADE A CHANGE ON THE DRIVETRAIN IN 1996 THAT SOLVED THIS KIND OF PROBLEM, HOWEVER DEALER WILL NOT HELP CONSUMER. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #806295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Wayne, INCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER CAR AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY .*AK CONSUMER STATES HE HIT ANOTHER TRUCK GOING ABOUT 30-35 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #803570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ragland, WACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS GOING (40) MPH AND GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK, BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE, CONSUMER HIT A GUARD RAIL, ALSO NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS.
NHTSA complaint #987138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ragland, WACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
CONSUMER WAS GOING (40) MPH AND GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK, BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE, CONSUMER HIT A GUARD RAIL, ALSO NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS.
NHTSA complaint #987138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salinas, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 25-35MPH ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #984564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N.royal Palm, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON ANY TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #983590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N.royal Palm, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK WELL IN TIPE OF SURFACE.PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #983398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.