NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2001

GMC S15 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 12 owner complaints for the GMC S15, covering model years 1995 to 2001. The 1995 and 1996 model years drew the most complaints (3 each), and Visibility is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your GMC S15 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

2 recall campaigns on file
12 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
6 model years with data (1995–2001)

most complaints: 1995, 1996 (3 for that model year)
top component: Visibility (4 complaints)
latest recall 96V035000 (reported Feb 22, 1996)

1 complaint reporting a crash (8.3%)
1 complaint reporting a fire (8.3%)
1 complaint reporting an injury (8.3%)
0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

GMC S15 complaints by model year

6 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1995 and 1996 model years share the highest count, 3 complaints each. Next come 1997 (2) and 1998 (2). The fewest are for 2001, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

GMC S15 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

GMC S15 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury
1995	3	0	0	0
1996	3	0	0	0
1997	2	1	1	1
1998	2	0	0	0
1999	1	0	0	0
2001	1	0	0	0
All model years	12	1	1	1

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported GMC S15 components

top 11 · NHTSA categories

Visibility is the component named most often, in 4 complaints (33.3% of all 12), followed by Service Brakes, Hydraulic (3) and Seat Belts (2).

Components named most often in GMC S15 complaints (top 11)

Components named most often in GMC S15 complaints (top 11)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Visibility	4	33.3%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	3	25.0%
Seat Belts	2	16.7%
Vehicle Speed Control	2	16.7%
Air Bags	1	8.3%
Electrical System	1	8.3%
Exterior Lighting	1	8.3%
Power Train	1	8.3%
Service Brakes	1	8.3%
Steering	1	8.3%
Unknown or Other	1	8.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

GMC S15 recalls

2 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name S15, newest first. The 2 campaigns cover model years 1995 to 1996. The 1995 and 1996 model years appear in the most campaigns (1 each).

2 recall campaigns

GMC S15 recall campaigns covering each model year
1995: 1 campaign	1996: 1 campaign

NHTSA campaign 96V035000
Reported Feb 22, 1996
Power Train › Manual Transmission
Model year 1996
Some of these trucks were built with transmissions containing parts which were not machined to GM's specifications.
Consequence:
These transmissions could seize and lock the rear drive wheels while the truck is being driven causing a loss of vehicle control increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the transmission main shaft output torque using a special tool. If the output torque does not meet specifications, the transmission will be replaced.
Filed by General Motors, LLC
NHTSA campaign 95V180000
Reported Sep 22, 1995
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan
Model year 1995
Fan blade rivet breakage can occur causing the fan blade to separate from the spider.
Consequence:
If this occurred while the hood was open, a person working under the hood of the vehicle or in the vicinity of the vehicle could be struck by the fan blade and injured.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect and replace, if necessary, the fan with a newer fan having thicker-headed rivets.
Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

GMC S15 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the GMC S15 have?

NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recall campaigns for the GMC S15, covering model years 1995 to 2001. The most recent, 96V035000, was reported on February 22, 1996 and is filed under “Power train”. The 1995 and 1996 model years are covered by the most campaigns (1 each).

Which GMC S15 model year has the most complaints?

The 1995 and 1996 model years tie, with 3 complaints each out of 12. The next are 1997 (2) and 1998 (2). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common GMC S15 complaint?

Visibility is the component named most often: 4 complaints, or 33.3% of all 12. Service Brakes, Hydraulic (3) and Seat Belts (2) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my GMC S15?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a GMC dealer.

How many GMC S15 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 12 complaints, 1 report a crash, 1 a fire, 1 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The GMC models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the GMC VIN decoder with every GMC model page, WMI code and VIN note.

GMC Sierra 1500 1995–2026 · 60 recalls · 8,852 complaints
GMC Acadia 2007–2026 · 38 recalls · 5,557 complaints
GMC Yukon 1995–2026 · 74 recalls · 4,874 complaints
GMC Sierra 1995–2017 · 52 recalls · 3,585 complaints
GMC Terrain 2010–2026 · 22 recalls · 3,110 complaints
GMC Envoy 1995–2009 · 27 recalls · 2,459 complaints
GMC Yukon XL 1999–2026 · 54 recalls · 2,403 complaints
GMC Jimmy 1995–2004 · 18 recalls · 1,869 complaints

All GMC models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.