Total Complaints
9 filings
GMC K2500 · model year
1986 GMC K2500
9 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1986GMCK2500 carries 9 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1986 K2500 is suspension with 2 filings, followed by equipment:other:labels (1) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1986 K2500. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
9
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20031121POWER TRAIN
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S RADIATOR, ENGINE, FRONT AXLE, REAR AXLE AND OTHER PROBLEMS.*MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM. THE ENGINE WAS A 305 INSTEAD OFF THE FAVORED 350. AS A RESULT THE ENGINE USED ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED PROBLEM. THE FRONT AXLE HAD PROBLEMS. THE REAR AXLE IS THE OLD STYLE AND THE FLUID IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. AN ALTERNATIVE WAS SUBSTITUTED BUT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 32 DEGREES THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP INTO HIGH GEAR. IT ALSO WORE OUT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND AXLE BEARING. THE SUSPENSION WAS SOFT. THE SHOCKS HAVE BEEN CHANGE A FEW TIMES BUT THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE TAIL GATE HINGE WAS CORRODED AND THE NUTS FELL OFF. THE REAL TAIL LIGHTS WERE CROSS WIRED SO IF ON WENT OUT THEY BOTH WENT OUT. THE SEAL AROUND THE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT AND ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE HOUSING. *NLM
20031121SUSPENSION
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S RADIATOR, ENGINE, FRONT AXLE, REAR AXLE AND OTHER PROBLEMS.*MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM. THE ENGINE WAS A 305 INSTEAD OFF THE FAVORED 350. AS A RESULT THE ENGINE USED ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED PROBLEM. THE FRONT AXLE HAD PROBLEMS. THE REAR AXLE IS THE OLD STYLE AND THE FLUID IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. AN ALTERNATIVE WAS SUBSTITUTED BUT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 32 DEGREES THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP INTO HIGH GEAR. IT ALSO WORE OUT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND AXLE BEARING. THE SUSPENSION WAS SOFT. THE SHOCKS HAVE BEEN CHANGE A FEW TIMES BUT THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE TAIL GATE HINGE WAS CORRODED AND THE NUTS FELL OFF. THE REAL TAIL LIGHTS WERE CROSS WIRED SO IF ON WENT OUT THEY BOTH WENT OUT. THE SEAL AROUND THE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT AND ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE HOUSING. *NLM
20031121EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S RADIATOR, ENGINE, FRONT AXLE, REAR AXLE AND OTHER PROBLEMS.*MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM. THE ENGINE WAS A 305 INSTEAD OFF THE FAVORED 350. AS A RESULT THE ENGINE USED ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED PROBLEM. THE FRONT AXLE HAD PROBLEMS. THE REAR AXLE IS THE OLD STYLE AND THE FLUID IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. AN ALTERNATIVE WAS SUBSTITUTED BUT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 32 DEGREES THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP INTO HIGH GEAR. IT ALSO WORE OUT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND AXLE BEARING. THE SUSPENSION WAS SOFT. THE SHOCKS HAVE BEEN CHANGE A FEW TIMES BUT THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE TAIL GATE HINGE WAS CORRODED AND THE NUTS FELL OFF. THE REAL TAIL LIGHTS WERE CROSS WIRED SO IF ON WENT OUT THEY BOTH WENT OUT. THE SEAL AROUND THE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT AND ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE HOUSING. *NLM
20031121STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S RADIATOR, ENGINE, FRONT AXLE, REAR AXLE AND OTHER PROBLEMS.*MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM. THE ENGINE WAS A 305 INSTEAD OFF THE FAVORED 350. AS A RESULT THE ENGINE USED ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED PROBLEM. THE FRONT AXLE HAD PROBLEMS. THE REAR AXLE IS THE OLD STYLE AND THE FLUID IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. AN ALTERNATIVE WAS SUBSTITUTED BUT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 32 DEGREES THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP INTO HIGH GEAR. IT ALSO WORE OUT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND AXLE BEARING. THE SUSPENSION WAS SOFT. THE SHOCKS HAVE BEEN CHANGE A FEW TIMES BUT THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE TAIL GATE HINGE WAS CORRODED AND THE NUTS FELL OFF. THE REAL TAIL LIGHTS WERE CROSS WIRED SO IF ON WENT OUT THEY BOTH WENT OUT. THE SEAL AROUND THE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT AND ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE HOUSING. *NLM
20031121ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S RADIATOR, ENGINE, FRONT AXLE, REAR AXLE AND OTHER PROBLEMS.*MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM. THE ENGINE WAS A 305 INSTEAD OFF THE FAVORED 350. AS A RESULT THE ENGINE USED ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED PROBLEM. THE FRONT AXLE HAD PROBLEMS. THE REAR AXLE IS THE OLD STYLE AND THE FLUID IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. AN ALTERNATIVE WAS SUBSTITUTED BUT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 32 DEGREES THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP INTO HIGH GEAR. IT ALSO WORE OUT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND AXLE BEARING. THE SUSPENSION WAS SOFT. THE SHOCKS HAVE BEEN CHANGE A FEW TIMES BUT THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE TAIL GATE HINGE WAS CORRODED AND THE NUTS FELL OFF. THE REAL TAIL LIGHTS WERE CROSS WIRED SO IF ON WENT OUT THEY BOTH WENT OUT. THE SEAL AROUND THE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT AND ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE HOUSING. *NLM
20030825FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
COMPLAINT REGARDING 1986 GMC K-2500. *MR THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 1986 AND THOUGHT IT WAS NEW, BUT IT WASN'T. IT WAS ORIGINALLY REGISTERED IN CALIFORNIA AND HAD COME WITH A 1978 CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND WAS REBUILT, AND WAS SOLD TO A COMPANY IN CANADA. THE VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY BROUGHT INTO THE US, THEN RESOLD AS COMMERCIAL SALES. (ALL LEGAL) THERE WERE A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE REPLACEMENT, SUCH AS THE GAS TANK WHICH HAD FAILED. *SCC *JB *CB
20000218EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
OWNER IS HAVING TROUBLE OBTAINING INFORMATION ON SOURCE OF ORIGIN OF THE VEHICLE,POSSIBLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER CHANGE. YH
20000218SUSPENSION
VEHICLE WOULD GO SIDEWAYS WITH OUT WARNING. YH
20000218ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE RELATED PROBLEMS. YH
Compare 1986GMCK2500 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1986 GMC K2500 have?▼
The 1986 GMC K2500 has 9 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 GMC K2500?▼
The most-complained component for the 1986 GMC K2500 is SUSPENSION with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1986 GMC K2500 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.