Selling a junk GMC C/K pickup

The truck in the photo is an older C/K, built before the years in this data. EPA's fuel economy records cover C/K pickups from 1984 to 1998, the years before the 1999 Sierra. Whatever the year, sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

What the complaints show, by era

Each count is an owner report, not a reliability grade. On pickups this old, the usual caveat about younger years having less time hardly applies.

1984-1991: a thin file, three recalls worth knowing

The 1985 to 1991 trucks hold 186 complaints, and the file has none under 1984. The 1988 has 10 recall campaigns, tied for the most of any year. Recall 87V136000 moved 1988 front brake hoses that could touch the wheel or tire at full lock. Recall 93V016000 covers 1988-1993 trucks whose transmission fluid could be forced out of the vent tube by heat; it spans 1,702,880 GM vehicles. Recall 93V119000 replaced 1988-1992 front rotors that road salt could corrode until the two sections separated.

1992-1998: wipers, seats, then steering

Visibility leads every year from 1992 through 1996 and totals 564 complaints from 1992 to 1998. It peaks on the 1995 at 154 of 406 and the 1994 at 148 of 329. The two wiper campaigns, 98V150001 and 03V159000, replaced the wiper motor circuit board after cracked solder joints made wipers quit or work on and off.

Seats come next: 132 complaints on the 1993, 1994 and 1995. Three recalls cover recliners. 95V246000 and 99V130000 deal with recliner bolts that could fracture and let the seat back drop suddenly, on 1993-1994 trucks and 1992 extended cabs. 97V037000 covers a pinch point in 1995-1997 recliners.

The 1997 breaks the pattern: steering leads with 94 of 402. Brakes stay heavy through the end, 326 complaints on the 1995 to 1998. Crew cab owners should know 98V187000: on 1995-1998 crew cabs the fuel tank could rub the body sill until it wore a hole.

1999: the leftover year

NHTSA holds 65 complaints and 2 recall campaigns under a 1999 C/K, a year after EPA's last C/K row. One is 00V097000, which replaced front seat belts on 1999 light-duty pickups.

C/K complaints and recalls by model year

Counts come from NHTSA records as of October 10, 2026. Campaigns that cover a run of years appear in each one, so adding the last column won't give 45.

Fix it or let it go?

A C/K is 27 years old at the youngest. Put any quote next to what a running truck like yours sells for.

• Brake trouble? Recall 93V119000 replaced front rotors on 1988-1992 trucks because road salt could corrode them apart. The bad brakes guide helps you weigh it.
• A project that stalled? See old project car.
• Just worn out? The junk truck guide covers selling one that's done.

Selling a C/K whole

1. Note the basics: VIN, mileage, cab style, and whether it's a C (2WD) or K (4WD), as EPA's row names show. Say if it's a 1500 or 2500.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Explain where the truck is parked and if it can roll. Long beds and crew cabs need a bigger truck, so say which you have.
4. Leave it complete: engine, wheels and converter on. Tell us what's missing.
5. Have your C/K pickup's title and your ID nearby, since the driver checks both. No title? Start with selling with no title.

For later GMC trucks, see the Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500HD and Sonoma, or every GMC we cover.