Owners have filed 30 complaints
about the 1995 GMC K1500 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2008.
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 — 71
Against the median year of the GMC K1500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20% 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.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
133.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
133.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
133.3%
When owners complained
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.
Mar 1995peak 2Dec 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1995 GMC K1500
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.
Recalls on the 1995 GMC K1500
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
07E088000
EQUIPMENT
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 25,000 milesSomers, MTCrash2 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT COLLAPSED WHEN ANOTHER CAR REAR ENDED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. *NLM *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE RECLINING MECHANISM FAILED AND THE BACKS OF THE SEATS RECLINED AND AS A RESULT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ENDED UP IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE EXTENDED CAB. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10021647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Absecon, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE ABS SYSTEM KICKED IN AND DIDN'T WORK, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT A CURB.
NHTSA complaint #849765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Callicoon, NYCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE , DROPPED OFF THE ROAD, LESS THAN A FOOT ON AN INCLINE, INTO A YARD AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND VEHICLE HIT A TELEPHONE POLE.
NHTSA complaint #805496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Creswell, NCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER DRIVING ANOTHER RAN OUT AND HIT CONSUMER AND THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. TT
NHTSA complaint #962635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 143,000 milesManitowoc, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 GMC K1500. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 45 MPH IN ICY CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AT A STOP SIGN. THE ABS SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE SWERVED ALL OVER THE ROAD AND MADE A U-TURN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE DRIVER CONTNUED TO UTILIZE THE BRAKES, BUT THEY CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT ABS SENSORS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE ABS LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE AS A PRE-WARNING. THE ABS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY TURN ON IF THERE WAS NO ICE OR WET ROAD CONDITIONS WHICH MADE THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTREMELY SPONGY OR DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE RISK SINCE IT SEEMED THAT HE HAD NO CONTROL IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000. UPDATED 01/07/09 *BF UPDATED 01/07/09.
NHTSA complaint #10250351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Traverse City, MI
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
WHILE TURNING A CORNER HEARD A LOUD SNAP. UPON PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE I FOUND THE SEAT BRACKET HAD BROKE LOOSE. THE SEAT IS EXTREMELY SHAKY NOW AND NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED WITH A NEW LOWER SEAT CUSHION BRACKET ASSEMBLY (COSTING OVER $200 FOR PARTS AND LABOR IS AN ADDITIONAL $225). I THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS SEAT ASSEMBLY WHICH I HAD DONE A COUPLE YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10159764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesLacrosse, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE A 1995 GMC SIERRA TRUCK THAT EXPERIENCES ANTI-LOCK ACTIVATION AT SLOW SPEEDS. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR MISSES. THIS DEFECT WAS RECALLED IN THE 1999-2002 VEHICLES IN HIGH CORROSION STATES ALTHOUGH WISCONSIN WAS NOT ONE OF THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10136750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cicero, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE PREMATURELY UNDER NORMAL BRAKING. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT ABS SENSOR WAS DROPPING TO ZERO DUE TO CORROSION.
NHTSA complaint #10061802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesSomers, MTCrash2 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT COLLAPSED WHEN ANOTHER CAR REAR ENDED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. *NLM *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE RECLINING MECHANISM FAILED AND THE BACKS OF THE SEATS RECLINED AND AS A RESULT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ENDED UP IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE EXTENDED CAB. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10021647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lowell, MI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY JUST STOP WORKING. THEY PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE, BUT WOULD JUST AS MYSTERIOUSLY START WORKING AGAIN. I HAD THEM CHECKED A COUPLE OF TIMES MOTOR WAS FINE, SWITCH WAS FINE. DURING A HEAVY RAIN MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING UNEXPECTEDLY AT ABOUT 45MPH ON A MAJOR ROAD. I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING, BUT MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT A CRASH. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD! DT
NHTSA complaint #770014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Encinitas, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL FAIL TO OPERATE FROM START WHEN TURNING SWITCH ON. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WIPERS FAILED DUE TO A BURNED FUSE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAKES NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #8013928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Encinitas, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL FAIL TO OPERATE FROM START WHEN TURNING SWITCH ON. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WIPERS FAILED DUE TO A BURNED FUSE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAKES NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #8013928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Amherst, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL HARD SOMETHING IS FORCING PEDAL BACK UP, AND WILL NOT DEPRESS. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #8004796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Heartland, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PEDAL GOES TOO FAR DOWN ,IT IS VERY SOFT, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TRUCK DOES NOT REACT FAST ENOUGH.
NHTSA complaint #862769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rome, GA
SEATS
METAL BASE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT, WHERE IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE RAIL ON THE FLOORBOARD, BROKE. THIS COULD CAUSE SEATBACK TO COLLAPSE. WHEN REPORTING THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP, DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY METAL FATIGUE--A DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *AK
NHTSA complaint #862612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Wayne, IN
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS WILL MOVE FORWARD. WHEN ACCELERATING THE SEATS WILL SLIDE BACK. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #858481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Absecon, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE ABS SYSTEM KICKED IN AND DIDN'T WORK, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT A CURB.
NHTSA complaint #849765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willis, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND THEN THEY JUMED BACK TOWARDS THE CONSUMER. CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES/ USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND FIRST GEAR, AND THERE STILL WERE NO BRAKES. BUT VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #852610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ceres, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #851824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marseilles, IL
SUSPENSION:REAR
SINCE PURCHASE, THERE HAS BEEN A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE GEARS INSIDE THE DIFFERENTIAL ARE LOOSE. ON MONDAY 3/15, I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM A PARKING AREA AND FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE'S REAR AXLE WAS LOCKED UP NOT ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. I JACKED UP THE VEHICLE TO INVESTIGATE, AND AS THE REAR WHEEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE LEFT THE GROUND, I HEARD AN AUDILBLE CLANKING NOISE, UPON WHICH THE REAR WHEELS BECAME FREE. I RESEARCHED VIA INTERNET ALL REPAIR BULLETINS PERTINENT TO THIS VEHICLE, AND FOUND A BULLETIN DESCRIBING THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. AND DESCRIBED MY FINDINGS. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE BULLETIN WAS NOT A RECALL, AND THAT THE NOISE IS DUE TO THE FREE-PLAY IN THE AXLE GEARS (SET AT FACTORY). IF THIS PROBLEM WERE TO OCCUR DURING DRIVING, THE DRIVER MIGHT LOSE CONTROL AND HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS OF THIS TYPE SINCE THE 3/15 DATE, HOWEVER, THE CLUNKING NOISE CONTINUES TO BE NOTICEABLE WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #704601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Metairie, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DRIVING AT APPROXMATELY 20 MPH ABS MOTOR FAILED, CAUSING THE PEDAL TO GO TO FLOOR, WOULD NOT GRAB,WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #833516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salinas, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE ANIT-LOCK BRAKES HAS FAILED. THE SYSTEM HAS A BACK UP IT FAILES BACK ON THE REGULAR BRAKES BUT THAT PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT. GMC WILL NOT COVER IT EVEN.
NHTSA complaint #701099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Sacramento, CA
SEATS
WHEN I CONTACTED THE GMC DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT I WAS ON MY OWN AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THIS WAS THE SAME RESPONSE THAT I RECEIVED FROM FOUR SEPARATE DEALERS. EVEN WHEN I EXPLAINED THAT I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC COLLISION. DUE TO THE CONDITION OF THE SEAT FRAME, I CONSIDER IT A "CATASTRPPHIC FRAME FAILURE". IT IS VERY OBVIOUS THAT THE FRAME WAS CONSTRUCTED WITH A POOR QUALITY METAL. THE DAY THAT THE FRAME FAILED, I HAD JUST ENTERED MY TRUCK IN PREPARATION TO LEAVE FOR WORK. WHEN I ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THE FRAME SNAPPED OFF FROM THE BASE AND THIS FLEX CAUSED THE SEAT BACK TO RELEASE. I THEN FOUND MYSELF LOOKING UP AT THE ROOF OF MY TRUCK. THIS FAILURE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY MECHANICAL OR MOVING PART. THIS IS A SIMPLE CASE OF METAL FAILURE AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MILEAGE. AT A 185LBS I DON'T FEEL THAT MY WEIGHT HAD ANY THING TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE FAILURE OF THIS SEAT FRAME. I LOCATED ON THE NHTSA WEB PAGE AND LOCATED THE ACTION NUMBER: PE97027 WITH REFERENCE TO THIS EXACT ISSUE. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH THIS FRAME. THER IS NOT DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THIS FRAME FAILURE. IS THERE ANY INFORMATION THAT I CAN GET WITH REFERENCE TO THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION ON THIS FAILURE. I ALSO HAVE THE FRAME AND ITS BROKEN PARTS IN MY POSSESSION FOR REVIEW OR INSPECTION IF NHTSA NEEDS TO SEE THE COMPONENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING THIS ISSUE. SINCERELY J. TREVOR ANDERS
NHTSA complaint #701075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
SEATS
LEATHER SEATS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES DUE TO RIPPING, HOWEVER THEY CONTINUE TO RIP.
NHTSA complaint #536100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS ONTO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING.
NHTSA complaint #536100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Escanaba, MI
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
THE FRONT RIGHT AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING AND DEALER REPLACED IT 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #807912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ebensburg, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTILOCK BRAKES MAKE NOISE/VIBRATE.
NHTSA complaint #513404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ebensburg, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TAKES TOO LONG TO ENGAGE.
NHTSA complaint #513404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rogersville, MO
SEATS
THE DRIVER SEAT TRACK BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE, TOOK TO DEALER AND HE SAID THAT THE SEAT TRACK BOLT BROKE AND HAS TO BE REPLACED, THE WHOLE SEAT TRUCK NOT UNDER WARRANTY .
NHTSA complaint #808542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.