1989 GMC S15 Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 GMC S15 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1989 GMC S15. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and brakes (1). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, 2 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the fan 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.
- Electrical system2 25%
- Engine cooling2 25%
- Brakes1 13%
- Equipment1 13%
- Exterior lighting1 13%
- Seat belts1 13%
- Seats1 13%
- Suspension1 13%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “I bought a 1989 jimmy S15 last year. Drom the repair bills that came with the truck the previous owner had this truck in the shop countless times for surging. Whenever I am stopped at a light etc- the truck surges forward. I am afraid of an accident, especailly with my my grandchildren in the truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10073033, filed 2004-05Equipment: “Failure of the heater core resulted in poor visibility and near accident when a thick yellow sticky gas/fluid came out of vents and coated the inside of the windshield while trying to defrost. Mjs”
NHTSA complaint #548784, filed 1999-10Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 GMC S15 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S15 Jimmy 2WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| S15 Jimmy 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| S15 Jimmy 4WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| S15 Jimmy 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| S15 Pickup 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 24 | 22 | $3,050 |
| S15 Pickup 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| S15 Pickup 2WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| S15 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| S15 Pickup 4WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| S15 Pickup 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
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
- 93V008000Jan 14, 1993Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › FanCovers: GMC S15 1989–1992, Chevrolet S10 1989–1992
The engine cooling fan blades break as a result of fatigue and/or vehicle induced stress.
Recall details for the 1989 GMC S15 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 GMC S15.
Other model years of the GMC S15
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 6 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 8 | — | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 8 | — | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 GMC S15 have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1989 GMC S15 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 GMC S15 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 1989 GMC S15 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 GMC S15 get?
The EPA rates the 1989 GMC S15 (S15 Jimmy 2WD, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 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.