AI Damage1989 GMC S15: common problems
Owners of the 1989 GMC S15 filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 3 Equipment 13% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 13% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 13% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 13% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 13% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (25% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (25% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 4.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 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.
Seat belt released during an accident,driver was thrown approximately 50 feet from vehicle, resulting in a fatality.
Consumer had vehicle serviced several times for the front left blinker. For some reason the outside blinker stopped working even though the inside signal on dashboard still worked.
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.
The consumer (who is now deceased harold bridges) was driving when all of a sudden he was rear ended by another motorist who was driving recklessly, the consumers seat adjuster railing failed, which attributed to severe injuries in which the consumer was killed, however the mother, rosa leyva is writing in on behalf…
Vehicle caught fire while driving, under the hood fire, ea94-029 active will provide information. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,896 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the S15 has 3 complaints (17 years in the data). This year has 8, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1989 GMC S15?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, equipment. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: overheating, coolant loss (13%), seat belts (13%), smoke, burning smell, fire (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 GMC S15?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1989 GMC S15 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1989 models
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.