Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1987 GMC S15: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1987 GMC S15, most recently filed February 1987. Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
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Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1987 GMC S15. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1987 GMC S15. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 87V021000 Filed Feb 25, 1987

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD:INNER

Steering · linkages · tie rod assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
INNER TIE ROD TO RELAY ROD NUTS ON STEERING LINKAGE MAY BE IIMPROPERLY TORQUED AND NOT CRIMPED.
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.
Repair progress not yet reported60 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 87V021000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (3)

3 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1987 GMC S15, by component (top 3). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 3.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1987 compares with other S15 years

Best and worst S15 years →
1 3 3 2 8 3 8 3 4 6
1985198619871988198919901991199219931994
This year (1987)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1987 S15 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All S15 years

Where to next

1987 GMC S15 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1987 GMC S15 have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 87V021000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1987 GMC S15 problems?

Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (1), Engine and engine cooling (1), Steering (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 1987 S15 compare with other years?

Among the 1985–1994 GMC S15 model years at least five years old, the 1985 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1991 the most (8). The 1987 drew 3. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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