1990 Gmc S15 problems
The Chevrolet S-10 is a compact pickup truck produced by Chevrolet. It was the first domestically-built compact pickup of the big three American automakers. When it was first introduced as a "quarter-ton pickup" in 1981 for the 1982 model year, the GMC version was known as the S-15 and later renamed the GMC Sonoma. A high-performance version of the latter was released in 1991, called "Syclone." The pickup was also sold by Isuzu as the Hombre from 1996 through 2000, but only in North America. There was also an SUV version, the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer/GMC S-15 Jimmy. An electric version was leased as a fleet vehicle in 1997 and 1998. These models are sometimes internally referred to as the S/T series to denote two and four wheel drive models respectively (similar to the full size Chevrolet C/K trucks) despite all versions being badged with 'S' nomenclature.
In North America, the S-series was replaced by the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Isuzu i-Series in 2004.
The S-Series ended production in Brazil in 2012, being replaced by the Chevrolet Colorado, but still with the name S-10.
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Common 1990 Gmc S15 problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 1990 GMC S15, several common problems have been reported:
- Seat Belt Restraint Failure:
At around 90,000 miles, some owners experienced problems with the seat belts not restraining properly, which can compromise safety in the event of a collision.
- Heater Core Failure and Antifreeze Leakage:
The heater core in the 1990 GMC S15 has been reported to fail, causing antifreeze leakage. This can lead to coolant loss, overheating, and potential damage to the vehicle's interior components.
- Piston Rings Burning Up:
Owners reported issues with the piston rings burning up at approximately 96,000 miles. This can result in engine performance issues, loss of power, and potential engine damage if not addressed promptly.
- Carrier Bearing Erosion:
Around 100,000 miles, some owners experienced carrier bearing erosion, leading to a thumping sound, vehicle vibration, and discomfort for passengers. This issue can affect the drivability and safety of the vehicle.
- Transmission Seal Replacement:
The need for transmission seal replacement at approximately 130,000 miles has been reported. A faulty transmission seal can result in fluid leaks, transmission malfunctions, and potential damage to the transmission system.
- Frame Splitting:
Some owners reported the frame splitting between the cab and the bed at 135,000 miles. This structural issue can compromise the integrity of the vehicle, affecting safety and overall performance.
- Air Conditioning System Failure:
Issues with the air conditioning system have been noted, with reports of the A/C being dead, even after attempts to recharge it. A malfunctioning A/C can lead to discomfort for passengers, especially in hot weather conditions.
These common problems reported by owners of the 1990 GMC S15 highlight various mechanical, safety, and comfort issues that can arise with this vehicle. Addressing these problems promptly through proper maintenance and repairs is crucial to ensure the longevity and reliability of the vehicle.
1990 Gmc S15 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Gmc S15 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Gmc S15 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1990 Gmc S15 complaints
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1990 Gmc S15.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1GTCT19Z7L2
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: PAINT HAS PEELED OF THE VEHICLE REPEATEDLY HOOD WAS REPAINTED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY. SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD SAID AT THAT TIME THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PRIMER USED AT THE FACTORY. DEALER HAD LOCAL SHOP REPAINT HOOD. DRIVERS FENDER WAS ALSO REPAINTED UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING FROM DIFFERENT AREAS. FENDERS, PICHUP BOX, HOOD, DOORS, AND CAB. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-01-14
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1GTDT19Z4L2
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. INSURANCE COMPANY CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AT THE TIME. *SLC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-04-09
- VIN: 1GTDT19ZXL8
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: VEHICLE WAS PARKED, UNDER THE DASH COMPARTMENT FIRE BROKE OUT, WILL PROVIDE FIRE REPORT. *AK
1990 Gmc S15 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1990 Gmc S15.
- Manufacturer: CK MOTORSPORT, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
- Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
- Manufacturer: PRO-A MOTORS, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
- Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
- Summary: THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADES BREAK AS A RESULT OF FATIGUE AND/OR VEHICLE INDUCED STRESS.
- Consequence: IF THE BLADE BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE HOOD IS OPEN, APERSON WORKING UNDER THE HOOD OR IN THE VICINITY OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE STRUCKAND INJURED BY THE BLADE SEGMENT.
- Remedy: INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED FAN ASSEMBLY.
Other years of Gmc S15
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