1989 GMC C2500 Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 15 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 16 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 GMC C2500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1989 GMC C2500. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by seat belts (2) and brakes (1). NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the anchorage filed under the same part.
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.
- Engine cooling3 50%
- Seat belts2 33%
- Brakes1 17%
- Steering1 17%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Driver's and passenger's shoulder straps get loose, will not lock in position, do not retract, causing loss of protection which could result in injuries in case of an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #828091, filed 1998-09Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 GMC C2500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C2500 Sierra 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| C2500 Sierra 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| C2500 Sierra 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 15 | 16 | 15 | $4,450 |
| C2500 Sierra 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| C2500 Sierra 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| C2500 Sierra 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 13 | 19 | 15 | $4,450 |
| C2500 Sierra 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 12 | 12 | 12 | $5,600 |
| C2500 Sierra 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| C2500 Sierra 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed manual | 12 | 15 | 14 | $4,800 |
| C2500 Sierra 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 11 | 17 | 13 | $5,150 |
| C2500 Sierra 2WD | 6.2L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 19 | $5,050 |
| C2500 Sierra 2WD | 6.2L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed manual | 16 | 17 | 16 | $6,000 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V016000Feb 1, 1993Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: GMC C2500 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.
- 90V170000Sep 17, 1990Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: GMC C2500 1989–1990, C1500 1989–1990, K1500 1989–1990 +9 more
Trucks can contain incorrect instructions on how to properly adjust rear seat lap-shoulder belts as required by fmvss 209.
Recall details for the 1989 GMC C2500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 GMC C2500.
Other model years of the GMC C2500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 6 | 31,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 8 | 95,486 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 8 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 5 | 50,900 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 5 | — | 2 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 6 | — | 2 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 GMC C2500 have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1989 GMC C2500 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 GMC C2500 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by seat belts with 2.
Has the 1989 GMC C2500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 GMC C2500 get?
The EPA rates the 1989 GMC C2500 (C2500 Sierra 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 15 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.