Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
Ask About This Model
Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
GMC C7. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
AI Assistant
Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the GMC C7,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1983–1995 with 16 recall campaigns and 3 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 1985 (4), 1995 (2), and 1986 (2).
Years with the most complaint volume: 1993 (3).
Top recall themes: Brakes, Steering and suspension, and Fuel and emissions.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Steering: steering wheel/handle bar.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Brakes
3 campaigns · Years: 1983–1990
These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Official notices (evidence):
89V208000
· Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
85V085000
· Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
GMC C7 in NHTSA complaint data are
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
1995
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1993
1
3
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering: steering wheel/handle bar.
1990
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1989
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1988
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1987
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1986
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1985
4
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1984
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1983
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Service brakes
, Steering
and Seats
Show recall evidence by year
1995
Seats:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The seats of these vehicles can have incomplete welded left side seat back frame extender arm welds. Vehicles with affected seats do not comply with fmvss no. 207, "Seating systems."
Exterior lighting: Back up lights:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: These vehicles were assembled with a transmission reverse signal switch that could leak causing loss of electrical contact when the transmission is in reverse. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
1993
Steering: Gear box (other than rack and pinion):
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The intermediate steering shaft was assembled with loose or missing upper and lower pinch bolts which may cause separation of the shaft.
1990
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The front air brake hoses can contact the inner fender extensions.
1989
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The front air brake hoses can contact the inner fender extensions.
1988
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The front air brake hoses can contact the inner fender extensions.
1987
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The front air brake hoses can contact the inner fender extensions.
1986
Steering: Hydraulic power assist system:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The power steering assist cylinder mounting bracket bolts may loosen due to paint on the bolt threads and the mounting bracket mating surface. Consequence of defect: this may result in looseness and erratic steering during full turns. With continued operation power cylinder could detach from the
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The front air brake hoses can contact the inner fender extensions.
1985
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The front air brake hose may contact the inner fender on the left and/or right sides of some trucks. In some instances, the brake hose may rub through, resulting in a loss of air pressure upon brake application. Consequence of defect: brake hose may rub through causing air pressure loss when brak
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel rail:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The fuel return hose between the switching valve and the fuel tank sending units may be incorrectly connected. Consequence of defect: fuel supplied by one tank is returned to the other tank which could overfill and leak. Fuel could ignite and cause a fire.
Steering: Hydraulic power assist system:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The power steering assist cylinder mounting bracket bolts may loosen due to paint on the bolt threads and the mounting bracket mating surface. Consequence of defect: this may result in looseness and erratic steering during full turns. With continued operation power cylinder could detach from the
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The front air brake hoses can contact the inner fender extensions.
1984
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The front air brake hose may contact the inner fender on the left and/or right sides of some trucks. In some instances, the brake hose may rub through, resulting in a loss of air pressure upon brake application. Consequence of defect: brake hose may rub through causing air pressure loss when brak
1983
Service brakes, air: Check valve:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The dual air reservoirs of some trucks were equipped with carbon steel springs instead of stainless steel springs, as intended. The carbon steel spring is more susceptible to rusting than the stainless steel spring. This rusting could cause the check valve to fail, causing total loss of front and
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The front air brake hose may contact the inner fender on the left and/or right sides of some trucks. In some instances, the brake hose may rub through, resulting in a loss of air pressure upon brake application. Consequence of defect: brake hose may rub through causing air pressure loss when brak
Other GMC Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other GMC models.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
