1988 GMC C1500 Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 GMC C1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1988 GMC C1500. The part named most often is brakes, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and seats (1). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes2 33%
- Electrical system2 33%
- Seats1 17%
- Steering1 17%
- Suspension1 17%
- Tires1 17%
Example complaints
Brakes: “Abs brake lights stay on after brake pedal is depressed & released. Also, seats have no head rest. Can cause a whiplash effect if vehicle is hit from behind. Been to dealer for brakes, but will not install headrest.”
NHTSA complaint #849097, filed 1999-09Electrical system: “On december 4, 1999, while fueling the truck flames started coming out of the fill spout area resulting in total destruction of the truck and substantial damage to the gas station. Upon investigation by the los angeles county fire investigator it was determined to be an accidental electrical fire.”
NHTSA complaint #715691, filed 1999-12Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V016000Feb 1, 1993Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: GMC C1500 1988–1993, Chevrolet C10 1988–1993, C20 1988–1993 +11 more
Unanticipated heat in the transmission can force the transmission fluid out of the vent tube.
Recall details for the 1988 GMC C1500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 GMC C1500.
Other model years of the GMC C1500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 15 | 29,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 32 | — | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 25 | 55,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 21 | 75,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 17 | 112,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 5 | 112,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 7 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 GMC C1500 have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1988 GMC C1500 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 GMC C1500 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1988 GMC C1500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.