RoadVitals

1986 GMC S15

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Jan 20, 2000
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 24, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 GMC S15, most frequently naming the fuel system, seat belts and steering categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system133.3%
  • Seat belts133.3%
  • Steering133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E049000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

May 24, 2006
27,176 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
CK MOTORSPORT, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
86V140000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Oct 21, 1986
10,064 units potentially affected
The defect: TIRE AND WHEEL INFORMATION ON CERTIFICATION LABEL MAY BE INCORRECT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 120.
The remedy: INSTALL CERTIFIED LABEL WITH CORRECT INFORMATION.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
86V131000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Sep 19, 1986
106,111 units potentially affected
The defect: THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE90039ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE

Opened Feb 5, 1990
Closed Jun 29, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION
EA89003ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR AXLE SHAFT

Opened Nov 7, 1988
Closed Aug 24, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION
PE88047ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR AXLE FAILURE

Opened Apr 19, 1988
Closed Nov 7, 1988

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Jan 20, 2000

TILT STEERING AND COLUMN LOOSE. YOU CAN WOBBLE THE STEERING WHEEL ONE INCH. *AK

NHTSA ID
717638
Fuel system
Filed Jun 15, 1995
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT

NHTSA ID
966961
Incident
Jun 14, 1995
Seat belts
Filed May 23, 1995

DRIVERS SIDE LAP/SHOULDER BELT BUCKLE FAILED, WILL NOT LATCH THE SPRING BROKEN. TT

NHTSA ID
965708
Incident
May 13, 1995

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC S15 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002000—
2001100—
2000000—
1999100—
1998200—
1997200—
1996310—
1995310—
1994620—
1993421—
1992331—
1991851—
1990331—
1989831—
1988221—
1987334—
1986Viewing333—
1985113—
1984024—
1983024—
1982032—
1980100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.