IllustrationMileage unknown · Mar 4, 1999
Electrical System
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #704015
1987 GMC S15
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →3Owner complaints
Model-year median: 2.5
1Recall campaignsView recall details →
4InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1987 GMC S15
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 3 owner complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 4 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Electrical System: 1 reports
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 1 reports
- Steering: 1 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all S15 years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reportsNO SUMMARY
A FEW MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT LOW IDLE,I CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND THE SUPPORT BRACKET FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS LOOSE.THE 2 BOLTS THAT SECURE IT TO THE ENGINE HAD BOTH SHEARED OFF,THIS CAUSED CONSIDERABLE VIBRATION TO OCCURE FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP.
HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS.
Recall campaigns
187V021000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly
Feb 25, 1987
INNER TIE ROD TO RELAY ROD NUTS ON STEERING LINKAGE MAY BE IIMPROPERLY TORQUED AND NOT CRIMPED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF ONE OR BOTH NUTS COULD LEAD TO INNER TIE RODDISENGAGEMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A TRUCKCRASH.
Remedy: REPLACE STEERING LINKAGE ASSEMBLY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
4PE90039 · Spare Tire Carrier Failure
Opened Feb 5, 1990 · Closed Jun 29, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA89003 · Rear Axle Shaft
Opened Nov 7, 1988 · Closed Aug 24, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE88047 · Rear Axle Failure
Opened Apr 19, 1988 · Closed Nov 7, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE88002 · Frctr Of P/s Pump Brckt
Opened Oct 9, 1987 · Closed Apr 22, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT SOME 1987 GMC S/T MODEL TRUCKS MAYEXPERIENCE FRACTURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP SUPPORT BRACE. THISCONDITION CAN IN TURN LEAD TO POSSIBLE FRACTURE OF THE POWER STEERINGPUMP MOUNTING BRACKET AND/OR LOSS OF THE SERPENTINE ACCESSORY DRIVEBELT. LOSS OF THE DRIVE BELT WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF A/C, GENERATOR,POWER STEERING ASSIST AND WATER PUMP OPERATION.ANALYSIS: THERE ARE NO REPORTS IN THE ODI LETTER FILE REGARDING THISPROBLEM.ALTHOUGH G.M. HAS 153 COMPLAINTS, MOST OFWHICH ARE WARRANTY CLAIMS, ONLY TWO ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED THATWERE ALLEGDLY CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE P/S SYSTEM. P/S ASSIST FAILURESHOULD NOT NEGATE STEERING CONTROL EVEN THOUGH THERE IS AN APPRECIABLEINCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT.======
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.