1981 Gmc Pick up problems
GMC (formerly the General Motors Truck Company (1911–1943), or the GMC Truck & Coach Division (1943–1998)) is a division of American automotive manufacturer General Motors (GM) for trucks and utility vehicles. GMC currently makes SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and light-duty trucks. In the past, GMC also produced fire trucks, ambulances, heavy-duty trucks, military vehicles, motorhomes, transit buses, and medium duty trucks.
While many of their vehicles are mechanically similar, GMC is positioned as a premium offering to the mainstream Chevrolet brand, and includes the luxury trim Denali. In North America, GMC vehicles are almost always sold alongside Buick (another premium brand) vehicles at multi-brand dealerships.
History
Roots to the GMC brand can be traced to 1900, when the "Grabowsky Motor Company" was established by brothers Max (1874-1946) and Morris Grabowsky, in Detroit, and renamed Rapid Motor Vehicle Company in 1902 when the brothers moved operations to Pontiac, Michigan. In 1909, William C. Durant gained control of Rapid Motor Vehicle Company and made it a subsidiary of his General Motors Company.
In 1911, General Motors formed the "General Motors Truck Company" and folded Rapid and Reliance Motor Car Company (another early commercial vehicle manufacturer that Durant had acquired in 1908) into it. In 1912, the Rapid and Reliance names were dropped in favor of "GMC". All General Motors truck production was consolidated at the former Rapid Motor Plant 1 in Pontiac, Michigan.
GMC maintained three manufacturing locations in Pontiac, Michigan, Oakland, California, and St. Louis, Missouri .
In 1916, a GMC truck crossed the country from Seattle to New York City in thirty days, and in 1926, a 2-ton GMC truck was driven from New York to San Francisco in five days and 30 minutes. During the First World War, the company provided the Model 16 3/4-ton truck, and modified its production to provide 1-ton troop carriers and aviation support vehicles, and by 1918, more than 90 percent of GMC truck production was for military use. GMTC provided a total of 8512 trucks to the U.S. government during the war years and earned a Distinguished Service Award. During the Second World War, GMC Truck produced 600,000 trucks for use by the United States Armed Forces.
In 1923, GMC trucks were exported to Japan to help recovery and reconstruction as a result of the Great Kantō earthquake, and the company continued to provide vehicles as the transportation infrastructure was rebuilt. Before the earthquake struck, most of Japan's transportation of commerce and people was by wooden carts and government owned railroads, which were severely damaged when the train tracks were twisted beyond use. Autonomous trucks were much more effective at traveling to heavily damaged areas.
In 1925, GM purchased a controlling interest in Yellow Coach, a bus and taxicab manufacturer based in Chicago, Illinois which was founded by John D. Hertz. The company was renamed Yellow Truck & Coach Manufacturing Company (YT&CMC), an affiliated subsidiary of General Motors. All manufacturing operations of General Motors Truck Company were placed under YT&CMC. In 1928 Plant 2 opened and all headquarters staff moved to the administration building at 660 South Boulevard E in Pontiac, MI. In 1943, GM purchased the remaining interest in YT&CMC and renamed it GMC Truck and Coach Division.
In 1981, GMC Truck & Coach Division became part of GM Worldwide Truck & Bus Group. Bus production ended in May 1987 and the division name was changed from GMC Truck & Coach to GMC Truck Division. The Canadian plant (in London, Ontario) produced buses from 1962 until July 1987. GM withdrew from the bus and coach market because of increased competition in the late 1970s and 1980s. Rights to the RTS model were sold to Transportation Manufacturing Corporation, while Motor Coach Industries of Canada purchased the Classic design. In 1998, GMC's official branding on vehicles was shortened from "GMC Truck" to simply "GMC".
In 1996, GM merged GMC Truck Division with the Pontiac Motor Division in order to "give the combined division a brand image projecting physical power and outdoor activity". This coincided with many GMC dealerships merging with Pontiac dealerships, allowing a single dealer to offer both trucks and entry-to-mid-level cars, using a similar approach already in use by Chevrolet.
In 2002, GMC celebrated its 100th anniversary and released a book entitled GMC: The First 100 Years, a complete history of the company.
In 2007, GMC introduced the Acadia, a crossover SUV, which was the division's second unibody vehicle (after the Vandura) whose predecessor, the GMT-360 based Envoy, was discontinued with the closure of GM's Moraine, Ohio plant on December 23, 2008.
In 2009, GMC ended production of medium-duty commercial trucks after over 100 years. They became exclusive to Chevrolet with the launch of the 4500HD/5500HD Silverado in 2018. Also in 2009, GMC introduced the Terrain, a mid-size crossover SUV based on the GM Theta platform shared with the Chevrolet Equinox. It replaced the Pontiac Torrent after the brand's demise.
In 2020, General Motors announced the return of the Hummer nameplate, this time as a sub-brand of GMC instead of a stand-alone division. The Hummer lineup includes two models, an electric pickup truck and SUV, to be sold as the "GMC Hummer EV". According to GM, the Edition 1 production electric pickup truck will feature 1,000 horsepower, hit 60 mph in 3 seconds and is scheduled to launch in late 2021. The new Hummer EV was revealed on October 20, 2020.
In 2022, the GMC brand was introduced in South Korea as a subsidiary of GM Korea.
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Common 1981 Gmc Pick up problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 1981 GMC pickup truck, several common problems have been reported. Here is a detailed list of these issues:
- Electrical Problems: Owners have reported various electrical issues, including problems with the wiring, lights, and electrical components such as the alternator and starter. These issues can lead to difficulties starting the vehicle, dim or flickering lights, and overall electrical malfunctions.
- Rust and Corrosion: Rust and corrosion are prevalent issues in older vehicles like the 1981 GMC pickup. Owners have complained about rust forming on the body, frame, and undercarriage, which can lead to structural weaknesses, aesthetic concerns, and even safety hazards if left unaddressed.
- Transmission Issues: Complaints regarding transmission problems are common among owners of the 1981 GMC pickup. These issues may include transmission slipping, rough shifting, delayed engagement, or complete transmission failure. Addressing transmission issues promptly is crucial to avoid costly repairs.
- Braking System Concerns: Owners have reported brake-related problems such as brake fade, squeaking or grinding noises when braking, soft brake pedals, or even brake failure. Proper maintenance of the braking system is essential for the safety of the vehicle and its occupants.
- Engine Performance: Engine-related complaints include issues with engine performance, such as rough idling, stalling, loss of power, or poor fuel efficiency. These problems can stem from various factors like fuel system issues, ignition problems, or worn-out engine components.
- Suspension and Steering: Problems with the suspension and steering components have been reported by owners. Symptoms may include excessive bouncing, steering wheel vibrations, uneven tire wear, or difficulty steering. Addressing these issues is crucial for a smooth and safe driving experience.
- Cooling System Troubles: Cooling system problems, such as overheating, coolant leaks, or radiator issues, have been highlighted by owners of the 1981 GMC pickup. Proper maintenance of the cooling system is essential to prevent engine overheating and potential damage.
- Interior Wear and Tear: Complaints about interior issues like worn upholstery, cracked dashboards, malfunctioning gauges, or faulty climate control systems have been noted. Maintaining the interior components of the vehicle can enhance comfort and overall driving experience.
By addressing these common problems promptly and performing regular maintenance and inspections, owners of the 1981 GMC pickup can ensure the longevity and reliability of their vehicle.
1981 Gmc Pick up car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Gmc Pick up problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Tires problems
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1981 Gmc Pick up vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1981 Gmc Pick up complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1981 Gmc Pick up.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-07-21
- VIN: 1GCEK14HXBF
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: FIRESTONE FIREHAWK ATX TUOLPS TIRES ON AN CHEVROLET PICKUP 31105R15 HAD TREAD SEPARATION PROBLEM. FIRESTONE REPLACED ALL FOUR OF THESE TIRES.*AK THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE TREAD SEPARATION. *SLC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-11-29
- Number Of Deaths: 1
- Fire: 1
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUELTANK MOUNTED OUTSIDE FRAME CAUGHT ON FIRE DURING ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN DEATH. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *AW
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