1990 GMC S15: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 GMC S15: 1 recall, 3 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #93V008000 · 1993 · 215,052 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine cooling fan blades break as a result of fatigue and/or vehicle induced stress.
Why it matters: If the blade breakage occurs while the hood is open, aperson working under the hood or in the vicinity of the vehicle could be struckand injured by the blade segment.
The fix: Install a newly designed fan assembly.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (2): the most common themes are fire / smoke (2).
- Engine & cooling (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 GMC S15 has 3 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 11 S15 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 3). Neighboring years: 1991 (8 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 GMC S15.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1990 GMC S15 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1990 GMC S15, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 GMC S15 problems?
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (2), engine & cooling (1), other / unknown (1).
What gas mileage does the 1990 GMC S15 get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.5 L, Manual 5-spd), across 7 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 GMC S15 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.