VehicleVerdict

1991 GMC S15 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 12 complaints on file for the 1991 GMC S15 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

12

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other S15 years?

S15 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted12 complaints1980: 1 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 1 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 2 complaints1989: 11 complaints1990: 4 complaints1991: 12 complaints1992: 4 complaints1993: 5 complaints1994: 6 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 3 complaints1997: 5 complaints1998: 5 complaints1999: 1 complaints2001: 1 complaints
S15 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S15 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 GMC S15 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes758%
Seat Belts217%
Electrical System18%
Engine18%
Transmission18%

Does the 1991 GMC S15 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

93V008000EngineJanuary 14, 1993 · 215,052 units

Defect

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.

90V193000SuspensionNovember 14, 1990 · 237 units

Defect

NUTS USED TO ATTACH LOWER CONTROL ARMS, REAR SPRING AND SHACKLE, AND REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND COULD "STRIP".

Consequence

STRIPPING OF THE NUTS IN THE REAR SUSPENSION COULD REDUCECLAMP LOAD ON LOWER CONTROL ARM, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE ARM TO DETACH, RESULTINGIN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT NUTS AS WELL AS REAR SPRING AND SHACKLE, AND REAR SHOCK ABSORBER NUTS.

90V107000Visibility & WipersJune 4, 1990 · 181 units

Defect

USE OF IMPROPER PRIMER ON METAL SURFACES OF WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOW OPENINGS COULD CAUSE LOW ADHESION TO THE METAL SURFACE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE RETENTION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212.

Consequence

WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOW GLASS WOULD NOT PREVENT THEEJECTION OF VEHICLE OCCUPANTS DURING A VEHICLE CRASH, WHICH CAUSES SERIOUSINJURIES AND FATALITIES.

Remedy

REMOVE AND REINSTALL GLASS USING PROPER PRIMER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROL MODULE, RENDERING ABS INOPERATIVE, WITHOUT WARNING. TT ELECTRONICS INSIDE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND THE UNIT WAS NOT SERVICABLE. *YH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 25, 1995

“1) OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED AT 37K MILES & WOULDN'T PASS STATE EMISSION INSPECTION, WHOLE SYSTEM REWIRED. OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED AGAIN AT 73K MILES, NEW SENSOR INSTALLED. OXYGEN SENSOR FAILING AT 117K MILES. HAVE NOT HAD IT REPLACED YET. (2) ABS SYSTEM FAILED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AND FIXED (UNDER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

1991 GMC S15 — common questions

Is the 1991 GMC S15 reliable?

The record is thin — 12 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1991 S15 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (7 complaints), seat belts (2 complaints), engine (1 complaints).

Does the 1991 GMC S15 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 GMC S15. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 GMC S15 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.