1988 GMC K15 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1988 GMC K15 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 355,019 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 93V119000 1993-08-02 341,364 affected
Defect

SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.

EQUIPMENT 89V107000 1989-07-06 179 affected
Defect

TIRE SIZE DATA ON CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INCORRECT.

Consequence

INCORRECT TIRE INFORMATION FAILS TO CONFORM TOFMVSS 120.

Remedy

AFFIX NEW CERTIFICATION LABEL WITH CORRECT INFORMATION.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 87V125000 1987-08-10 8,893 affected
Defect

CRUISE CONTROL CABLE LOCK MECHANISM MAY SELF DISENGAGE CAUSING ERRATIC OPERATION OR THROTTLE NOT RETURNING TO IDLE.

Consequence

ENGINE SPEED WOULD NOT DECREASE; LOSS OF ACCELERATORCONTROL COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

INSTALL A CLAMP AROUND THE LOCK TAB OF CRUISE CONTROL.

SUSPENSION 87V128000 1987-08-10 312 affected
Defect

INCORRECT FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER UPPER AND LOWER NUTS COULD LOOSEN.

Consequence

SHOCK ABSORBER COULD DETACH AND COME IN CONTACT WITHFRONT BRAKE HOSE; THIS CONTACT COULD RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE HOSE AND LOSS OFFRONT BRAKES.

Remedy

REPLACE FREE SPINNING NUTS WITH TORQUE NUTS.

STEERING 87V126000 1987-08-10 2,750 affected
Defect

ONE OR BOTH OF OUTER TIE ROD NUTS MAY BE LOOSE AND NOT CRIMPED.

Consequence

LOSS OF ONE OR BOTH NUTS COULD LEAD TO TIE RODDISENGAGING FROM STEERING KNUCKLE RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.

Remedy

REPLACE TIE ROD AND KNUCKLE AND SET TOE-IN.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 87V127000 1987-08-10 1,521 affected
Defect

TRUCKS MAY HAVE CRACKED OR BROKEN DOOR STRIKER NUTS, WHICH DO NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 206.

Consequence

IN A COLLISION, CRACKED OR BROKEN STRIKER NUT COULDALLOW DOOR TO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY AND POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

REPLACE EXISTING DOOR STRIKER NUTS.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1
1fires
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
1
Total complaints2

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“While driving noticed smoke coming from area of rear bumper, pulled over, fire coming from underhood was caused by built up pressure that forced transmission fluid out of filler tube, sprayed onto engine, plastic coating/hoses, etc. Melted onto ground.*ak”

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · reported 1996-08-16

“Steering wheel bolts that screws in the wheel are loose. Tt”

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR · reported 1995-05-08

Defect investigations

Investigation PE88019 Opened 1988-01-19 · closed 1988-03-31

REAR BRK LIGHTS STAY ON

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:ON SOME 1988 C/K MODEL TRUCKSTHE BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN FOUND TO STAY ON AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS BEENRELEASED.IN A MAJORITY OF CASES, THE STOPLAMP SWITCH BEING MISADJUSTEDHAS BEEN THE CAUSE.OTHER POSSIBILITIES INCLUDE (A) BINDING AT THE EYELET OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER ROD AND…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 GMC K15 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.