AI DamageGMC C/K Pickup: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the GMC C/K Pickup across 9 model years: 63 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 38% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 29% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 5% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 3% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 2% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 2% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 24 complaints (38% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Visibility: 18 complaints (29% of all).
- Fuel system: 6 complaints (10% of all).
- Steering: 6 complaints (10% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (5% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 63 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 24 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Turned to look at car I though was going to pull out. Brakes did not stop the truck for the cars about 20 feet in front of me when I put them on it kept on going. This is the third time it happen. Was recalled on 12/29/05 for abs sensors. Cleaned/lubed.
1986 gmc sierra tire blew out causing the vehicle to run off the roadway and overturn. (ohio traffic crash report)
Total loss of brakes at low speed due to a.b.s. Computer failure resulting in a crash. (1)vehicle passed government safety inspection. Within one month rear axle seals leaked new brakes were replaced at local independent shop with new brake pads due to oil contamination commented did not like my brakes after test…
One of our 2002 gmc pickups was involved in a frontal collision that was severe enough to bend the frame and total the truck but the air bags did not deploy. Due to the amount and type of damage I believe there is a problem. I contacted gm customer service but there did not seem to be any interest.
The contact stated that her husband noticed fuel leaking from a hole and rust on the tank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact's husband replaced the fuel tank. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
The contact stated that the fuel tank was leaking fuel due to the hanger straps being rusted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the fuel tank and hanger straps were replaced.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.