Lemon Law Center :: Gmc C35 :: Lemon Law Attorneys

vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. one or both front brake rotor/hubs were built with an out-of-specification gray iron that can fail during the life of the vehicle.

Corrective Action

if a driver continues to drive with a cracked rotor, the cracks could continue around the wheel mounting bolt circle and ultimately result in a wheel separation.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.

1997 Gmc C35

Component

Seats

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: extended cab and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with reclining seats and the easy-entry feature. these vehicles exhibit a condition in which a pinch point exists in the recliner mechanism that can trap and pinch a person's hand or finger(s) when the easy-entry feature is activated.

Corrective Action

this pinching can cut the hand or possibly sever the finger(s) without prior warning.

Recall Notes

dealers will install a protector cover over the recliner mechanism.

1996 Gmc C35

Component

Seats

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

this pinching can cut the hand or possibly sever the finger(s) without prior warning.

Recall Notes

dealers will install a protector cover over the recliner mechanism.

1996 Gmc C35

Component

Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Consequence of Defect

certain trucks have fuel rail assemblies with an improperly crimped end retainer clip that results in a fuel leak.

Corrective Action

if fuel leakage occurs and an ignition source is present, an engine compartment fire could occur.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect the fuel rail assembly and replace any fuel rail assembly with a julian date code of 95318 through 95338.

1996 Gmc C35

Component

Vehicle Speed Control

Consequence of Defect

these vehicles were assembled with the throttle cable contacting the dash mat which could bind the throttle. this does not meet with the maximum return times required by federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, "accelerator control systems."

Corrective Action

consequence of non-compliance: the engine speed may not return to idle increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect for adequate throttle cable to dash mat clearance, and if there is insufficient clearance, cut out a portion of the dash mat to provide proper clearance.

1996 Gmc C35

Component

Suspension:Rear:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:U-Bolt, Leaf Spring To Axle

Consequence of Defect

the four u-bolts nuts on either side of the rear axle were under-torqued.

Corrective Action

vehicle usage could cause the nuts to loosen and eventually fall off the u-bolt. this could result in sudden loss of vehicle control increasing the potential for a vehicle crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will check the u-bolt nut torque and re-torque any loose u-bolts to specification.

1996 Gmc C35

Component

Tires:Bead

Consequence of Defect

these tires have bead damage which occured during tire mounting.

Corrective Action

this damage to the tire reinforcing structure in the bead "toe" area causes a bulge in the sidewall after the tire is inflated. this condition will result in a slow air loss causing the tire to go flat. however, it is possible for the damage to result in a rapid air loss causing injuries to anyone if they were handling the tire when this occurred.

Recall Notes

dealers will demount each tire and inspect for bead damage. if bead damage is found, the tire will be replaced.

1996 Gmc C35

Component

Seats

Consequence of Defect

the seat recliner to seat frame attaching bolts on these vehicles could loosen, fatigue and fracture, allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.

Corrective Action

if this were to occur to the driver's seat, this could result in a sudden loss of vehicle control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.

Recall Notes

dealers will remove all foam and/or fabric sandwiched between the recliner assembly and the seat frame, install washers between the seat recliner and the seat frame at each attachment point, and install new attaching bolts torqued to a higher specification. these corrections will be made to both the driver's and passenger's seats.

1995 Gmc C35

Component

Seats

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

this pinching can cut the hand or possibly sever the finger(s) without prior warning.

Recall Notes

dealers will install a protector cover over the recliner mechanism.

1995 Gmc C35

Component

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines

Consequence of Defect

due to a thin case casting, an external transmission leak can occur.

Corrective Action

this condition can cause transmission oil to sprayonto the exhaust system and result in a possible vehicle fire.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect the transmission case assembly for the involved case casting. if the assembly is involved, the transmission will be replaced.

1995 Gmc C35

Component

Seat Belts:Front

Consequence of Defect

if both the lap-belt and shoulder-belt energy management loops on the front seat belt assemblies release at or near the same time, acceleration forces can cause the buckle release mechanism to activate and allow the buckle to separate from the latch.

Corrective Action

if the buckle released, the system would fail to provide adequate occupant restraint protection.

Recall Notes

dealers will remove the stitching that creates the energy management loop in the shoulder belt(s).

1995 Gmc C35

Component

Vehicle Speed Control

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

consequence of non-compliance: the engine speed may not return to idle increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect for adequate throttle cable to dash mat clearance, and if there is insufficient clearance, cut out a portion of the dash mat to provide proper clearance.

1995 Gmc C35

Component

Seat Belts:Front

Consequence of Defect

these vehicles were built with front seat belt systems with no energy management loops and may not meet the head injury criteria requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection."

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupants of these seats may not be properly restrained.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the retractor portion of the seat belt assembly(s) with one having the newly designed energy-management twin-loop system.

1995 Gmc C35

Component

Tires:Bead

Consequence of Defect

these tires have bead damage which occured during tire mounting.

Corrective Action

Recall Notes

dealers will demount each tire and inspect for bead damage. if bead damage is found, the tire will be replaced.

1995 Gmc C35

Component

Steering:Wheel And Handle Bar

Consequence of Defect

the steering column upper intermediate-shaft nut may not be torqued to proper specifications. the nut could loosen and detach allowing the through-bolt that secures the upper intermediate-shaft to the lower steering column shaft joint to fall out.

Corrective Action

this loose engagement can provide noticeable noise and abnormal steering feeling to the driver and, if left unattended, the steering shafts can separate resulting in a loss of steering control.

Recall Notes

dealers will torque the suspect fasteners to the proper specifications.

1995 Gmc C35

Component

Seats

Consequence of Defect

the seat recliner to seat frame attaching bolts on these vehicles could loosen, fatigue and fracture, allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.

Corrective Action

if this were to occur to the driver's seat, this could result in a sudden loss of vehicle control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.

Recall Notes

1994 Gmc C35

Component

Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm

Consequence of Defect

trucks were assembled with the left-hand lower control arm to frame rear nut tightened below the specified torque. low torque on this nut may allow the attachment bolt to loosed and subsequently fatigue and break. the bolt breakage can cause the left hand control arm to separate from the frame.

Corrective Action

if this occurs, a loss of vehicle control and a crash could result.

Recall Notes

dealers will tighten the left-hand lower control arm to frame rear nut to the proper torque specification.

1994 Gmc C35

Component

Seat Belts:Front

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

if the buckle released, the system would fail to provide adequate occupant restraint protection.

Recall Notes

dealers will remove the stitching that creates the energy management loop in the shoulder belt(s).

1994 Gmc C35

Component

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Switches:Brake Light

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: pickup trucks, crew cabs, utility trucks and sport utility vehicles. these vehicles were built with the polarity of the wiring for the zero adjust brake switch reversed from what was specified on the switch drawing. with the reversed polarity, the contacts in the brake switch can wear out prematurely. the brake switch will perform normally until the brake switch contacts wear out, resulting in loss of the brake lamps without any warning to the driver.

Corrective Action

this would fail to warn a following driver that the vehicle is braking and could lead to a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the brake switch and reverse the wiring.

1994 Gmc C35

Component

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks, vans and motorhomes equipped with electronically fuel injected 6.5l diesel engine. this is not a safety recall in accordance with federal regulation part 573. however, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. the campaign will improve the overall driveability of these vehicles.

Corrective Action

certain vehicles can exhibit some driveability concerns such as poor throttle response, stalling, misfire, poor hot or cold starting, extended cranking of a hot engine, or stalling after start. trucks with manualtransmissions can exhibit poor acceleration from start or could stall during deceleration.

Recall Notes

dealers will install some recently developed enhancements which will improve the overall driveability of these vehicles.

1994 Gmc C35

Component

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages

Consequence of Defect

the brake pedal push rod retainer is missing, mispositioned or not properly seated.

Corrective Action

brake pedal push rod problems can cause the stop lampswitch and the brake booster push rod to disconnect from the brake pedal,resulting in loss of brake operation, and a vehicle crash could occur withoutprior warning.

Recall Notes

inspect vehicles to assure the brake pedal push rod retainer is present and fully seated in its correct position.

1994 Gmc C35

Component

Seat Belts:Front

Consequence of Defect

these vehicles were built with front seat belt systems with no energy management loops and may not meet the head injury criteria requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection."

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupants of these seats may not be properly restrained.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the retractor portion of the seat belt assembly(s) with one having the newly designed energy-management twin-loop system.

1994 Gmc C35

Component

Seats

Consequence of Defect

the seat recliner to seat frame attaching bolts on these vehicle could loosen, fatigue and fracture, allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.

Corrective Action

if this were to occur to the driver's seat, this could result in a sudden loss of vehicle control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.

Recall Notes

1994 Gmc C35

Component

Seats

Consequence of Defect

the seat recliner to seat frame attaching bolts on these vehicles could loosen, fatigue and fracture, allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.

Corrective Action

if this were to occur to the driver's seat, this could result in a sudden loss of vehicle control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.

Recall Notes

1994 Gmc C35

Component

Seats

Consequence of Defect

the seats have been assembled without bolts that connect the upper slave hinge to the seat back frame, or without bolts that connect the seat to the seat adjuster. in either case, the vehicles fail to conform to fnvss no. 207, "seating systems."

Corrective Action

the missing bolts may cause the driver's seat to becomeloose and in a sudden stop or accident may subject the occupant to increasedrisk of injury.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect seats for missing bolts and install bolts if required.

1993 Gmc C35

Component

Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly

Consequence of Defect

the rear bench seat does not meet the load requirements of fmvss 207, "seating systems," because the manual latch mechanism on the folding full bench rear seat was attached to the back frame lower cross tube with domed head steel rivets instead of the bolts specified.

Corrective Action

Recall Notes

the rivets must be replaced with the correct bolts.

1993 Gmc C35

Component

Seats

Consequence of Defect

the seat recliner to seat frame attaching bolts on these vehicle could loosen, fatigue and fracture, allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.

Corrective Action

if this were to occur to the driver's seat, this could result in a sudden loss of vehicle control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.

Recall Notes

1992 Gmc C35

Component

Seats

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: extended-cab pickup trucks equipped with high-back bucket seats. the seat recliner to frame attaching bolts can loosen, fatigue, and fracture allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.

Corrective Action

if this were to occur to the driver's seat, this could result in a sudden loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

1991 Gmc C35

Component

Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly

Consequence of Defect

there may be fatigue fractures of the tie rod through the damper stud mounting hole.

Corrective Action

tie rod fractures result in loss of steering control andthe possibility of a vehicle crash.

Recall Notes

replace the existing tie rod assembly, damper, and damper bracket with newly designed parts.

1990 Gmc C35

Component

Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Consequence of Defect

on c and k models, feed and or return fuel lines can contact the automatic transmission shift linkage cordon shaft. in addition, on k models lines may also contact front propshaft. in either case the fuel lines could be damaged resulting in a fuel leak.

Corrective Action

a hole could be rubbed through these fuel lines, allowing fuel leakage near exhaust crossover pipe; this could result in an engine compartment fire that could spread to the passenger compartment.

Recall Notes

install newly designed fuel line routing bracket to prevent contact and, if necessary, replace fuel lines.

1990 Gmc C35

Component

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages

Consequence of Defect

loose pivot bolt holding the brake pedal to its support bracket could disengage from the nut.

Corrective Action

this could cause loss of braking activity that couldresult in a truck crash without prior warning.

Recall Notes

retorque brake pedal pivot bolts to specifications to prevent loosening.

1989 Gmc C35

Component

Trailer Hitches

Consequence of Defect

there may be below specified torque on the trailer hitch attaching fasteners, allowing the trailer hitch to move under towing loads.

Corrective Action

fasteners could fail; if this occurs while traileris being pulled, hitch and trailer could separate and a vehicle crash couldoccur without prior warning.

Recall Notes

correct torque in trailer hitch fasteners to prevent trailer separation.

1988 Gmc C35

Component

Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages

Consequence of Defect

cruise control cable lock mechanism may self disengage causing erratic operation or throttle not returning to idle.

Corrective Action

engine speed would not decrease; loss of acceleratorcontrol could result in a crash without prior warning.

Recall Notes

install a clamp around the lock tab of cruise control.

1988 Gmc C35

Component

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch

Consequence of Defect

trucks may have cracked or broken door striker nuts, which do not conform to fmvss 206.

Corrective Action

in a collision, cracked or broken striker nut couldallow door to open unexpectedly and possibly cause injury to occupants.

Recall Notes

replace existing door striker nuts.

1986 Gmc C35

Component

Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch

Consequence of Defect

the push pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out. consequence of defect: sudden loss of the headlights under severe weather or nighttime driving conditions could reduce driver visibility which might result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.

Corrective Action

Recall Notes

replace headlight switch as necessary.

1986 Gmc C35

Component

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly

Consequence of Defect

trucks failed to comply with requirements of fmvss 301, fuel system integrity, during a 30 mph frontal barrier test.

Corrective Action

greater than acceptable fuel spillage during and after acollision could result in a fire.

Recall Notes

install an additional shield to the front of the original shield to protect the fuel tank.

1986 Gmc C35

Component

Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm

Consequence of Defect

the left hand lower control arm can crack starting at the rear flange and progressing to the ball joint mounting hole and eventually cause the lower ball joint to separate from the control arm.

Corrective Action

if the ball joint separates from the control arm, a lossof vehicle control could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.

Recall Notes

install a resinforced brace to the left hand lower control arm.

1985 Gmc C35

Component

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly

Consequence of Defect

trucks failed to comply with requirements of fmvss 301, fuel system integrity, during a 30 mph frontal barrier test.

Corrective Action

greater than acceptable fuel spillage during and after acollision could result in a fire.

Recall Notes

install an additional shield to the front of the original shield to protect the fuel tank.

1985 Gmc C35

Component

Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm

Consequence of Defect

the left hand lower control arm can crack starting at the rear flange and progressing to the ball joint mounting hole and eventually cause the lower ball joint to separate from the control arm.

Corrective Action

if the ball joint separates from the control arm, a lossof vehicle control could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.

Recall Notes

install a resinforced brace to the left hand lower control arm.

1985 Gmc C35

Component

Wheels:Rim

Consequence of Defect

the wheel may develop cracks between the disc and rim. consequence of defect: if this occurs and is not noticed, the crack could increase around the rim, resulting in separation of the rim from the disc, loss of control and an accident may occur.

Corrective Action

Recall Notes

replace wheels having the suspected manufacturing code number.

1984 Gmc C35

Component

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly

Consequence of Defect

trucks failed to comply with requirements of fmvss 301, fuel system integrity, during a 30 mph frontal barrier test.

Corrective Action

greater than acceptable fuel spillage during and after acollision could result in a fire.

Recall Notes

install an additional shield to the front of the original shield to protect the fuel tank.

1984 Gmc C35

Component

Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly

Consequence of Defect

the front steering alignment may not have been completed. the tie rods, a part of the steering linkage which transmits steering movements to the wheels, may not have been fastened completely. the alignment of the steering will affect the vehicle"s handling properties. incomplete fastening of the steering tie rod may lead to complete separation of the linkage.

Corrective Action

Recall Notes

tie rod clamp fasteners will be inspected. if necessary, the toe-in will be set, and the tie rod clamp fasteners will be tightened. there will be no charge for these services.

1984 Gmc C35

Component

Wheels:Center Section

Consequence of Defect

in some 16 x 6 disc wheels a manufacturing defect may cause the wheels to crack in the drop center portion of the rim. if the crack were to occur on a wheel with a tube type tire mounted to it, and continued to go undetected, the wheel could split, resulting in a rapid loss of air from the tire.

Corrective Action

Recall Notes

the dealer will inspect each wheel and replace it if necessary, without charge.

1978 Gmc C35

Component

Suspension

Consequence of Defect

the left and right front suspension crossmember strut rods, which give added strength, may have been omitted during assembly. consequently, a frame crossmember crack could eventually develop at the forward vertical front suspension bolt.

Corrective Action

Recall Notes

dealer will install the necessary front left and right rods without charge to owner.

1978 Gmc C35

Component

Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack

Consequence of Defect

the nut on the carrier support bolt assembly may break which would allow the entire wheel and tire assembly to separate from the vehicle.