1989 GMC C3500
The 1989 GMC C3500 appears in 2 NHTSA recall campaigns (power train and seat belts) and in 1 consumer complaint filed with the agency.
The component named most often is electrical system: 1,000 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 139.7 per 1,000 across all 1989 model-year vehicles and against 69.8 per 1,000 for the GMC C3500 line as a whole.
That is fewer than the average of 2.0 complaints per model year across the 13 GMC C3500 model years on this register; 0 complaints reported a crash and 1 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 1997 (1); the most recent in the file is dated 19 Feb 1997.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 1 investigation naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: Unanticipated heat in the transmission can force the transmission fluid out of the vent tube.
Consequence: The vented transmission fluid can catch fire if exposedto a source of ignition.
Remedy: Install a longer transmission vent hose routed to the left side of the engine compartment of the vehicle.
Filed by GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (manufacturer campaign 93-C-07).
Defect, as filed: Trucks can contain incorrect instructions on how to properly adjust rear seat lap-shoulder belts as required by FMVSS 209.
Consequence: Incorrectly adjusted seat belt would not properlyrestrain occupant in an accident of sudden stop; trucks would not comply withfmvss 209.
Remedy: Provide owner's manual insert containing the correct rear lap-shoulder belt instructions.
Filed by GENERAL MOTORS CORP..
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 1989 GMC C3500 (black) against all 1989 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 1989 | C3500 line | All 1989 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1,000 | 69.8 | 139.7 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 1989 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 | 1,000 | 69.8 | 139.7 |
1 unique complaints, 1 component mentions; 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA92041 | Engineering analysis | FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY | fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly | 8 Dec 1992 | 9 Mar 1995 | — |
Other GMC C3500 model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 11,328 |
| 1971 | 3 | 0 | 152,850 |
| 1974 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 2,788 |
| 1986 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1988 NHTSA | 1 | 1 | 1,702,880 |
| 1989 | 2 | 1 | 1,897,123 |
| 1990 | 2 | 0 | 1,897,123 |
| 1991 NHTSA | 1 | 2 | 1,702,880 |
| 1992 | 2 | 2 | 1,703,057 |
| 1993 NHTSA | 1 | 4 | 1,702,880 |
| 1994 NHTSA | 1 | 8 | 988,587 |
| 1995 NHTSA | 0 | 5 | — |
| 1996 NHTSA | 0 | 2 | — |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All GMC C3500 model years · GMC: 129 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 1989 GMC C3500 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 93V016000, was reported to NHTSA on 1 Feb 1993 and concerns power train:automatic transmission. Across all model years the GMC C3500 line has 9 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 1989 GMC C3500?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 1 action naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 1989 GMC C3500 complain about most?
Electrical System: 1 of 1 component mentions (1,000 per 1,000). Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.