GMC C Series Recalls

The GMC C Series has 38 recalls spanning 1960 through 2001, with the most serious recent issue being a 1996 model year fuel rail end plug that can leak fuel into the engine compartment and start a fire if an ignition source is present.

The 2001 model year has a seat belt retractor defect where an internal component in the outboard retractors for the second and third row seats can crack, eventually preventing the belt from locking in a crash. Also on 2001 models equipped with a liquefied petroleum gas conversion kit, engine backfire can separate the inlet elbow from the throttle body, cutting off fuel and stalling the vehicle.

The mid-1990s carry a notable cluster of safety issues. On 1996 models, the rear axle u-bolt nuts can loosen and fall off, freeing the axle to steer the vehicle unpredictably. The 1995 model year has three separate fire-related concerns: a fuel tank that can wear against the body sill and crack, allowing fuel to leak; a transmission case that can spray fluid onto the exhaust; and a cracked fuel rail end plug sharing the same consequence as the lead recall. A 1995 steering column intermediate shaft nut that can back off and fall out, separating the steering shaft and leaving the driver with no steering, rounds out that year. Also on 1995 models, a seat recliner pinch point can trap and cut fingers when the easy entry feature is activated, and tire bead damage from mounting can cause sidewall bulging and sudden air loss.

The 1994 model year has a brake pedal push rod retainer that can be missing or misseated, disconnecting the booster push rod from the pedal and removing all braking. A separate 1994 issue involves a lower control arm bolt that can fatigue and break, causing the arm to separate from the frame. The 1994 automatic parking brake can also apply unexpectedly at speed or fail to release due to a solenoid failure or water contamination. The 1993 model year has a driver's seat recliner bolt that can fatigue and fracture, causing the seatback to collapse suddenly and loss of vehicle control.

Going further back, 1991 C3500HD models have a tie rod that can fracture at the damper stud hole under braking or heavy steering inputs, pulling hard to one side. On 1989 models, trailer hitch fasteners on certain C1500 and C3500 trucks can be under-torqued, allowing the hitch to work loose and separate from the vehicle under load. The 1988 model year has a transmission pressure buildup that forces fluid out of the filler or vent tube onto hot engine components, creating a fire risk; one variant of this involves heavy towing or off-road use forcing fluid onto the catalytic converter.

The early 1980s have several wheel and axle concerns. On 1984 C30 models, Firestone disc wheels can crack in the drop center, eventually splitting and causing rapid tire deflation. Also on 1984 C30s, a tie rod can separate if toe-in was never set and the clamp left unfastened. On 1982 models, rear axle shafts can fracture and allow a wheel assembly to separate while driving, and rear brake drum balance weights can interfere with aluminum wheels and cause wheel stud failure and wheel separation. The 1979 model year has vacuum brake booster fatigue cracks that can propagate until stopping distance is significantly extended, and front brake hoses on certain C20s can