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GMC Vandura VIN Check

NHTSA holds 39 owner complaints on the GMC Vandura from 31 production runs; the worst run has 4, the typical one 1.3.

NHTSA complaint records · 39 complaints · 31 runs · 1994–1996 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Vandura run is 1GDEG25K3SF (1995 builds) with 4 complaints, 3.1× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 31% of reports; 1995 is the worst model year at 1.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for Vandura model years 1994–1995.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The GMC Vandura has 31 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 33% of every Vandura complaint on file.

FIG.01·GMC Vandura — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
1GDEG25K3SF••••••19954——
1GDEG25K6SF••••••19953—1
1GDEG25K5RF••••••19942——
1GDFG35K5SF••••••19952——
1GDEG25K7SF••••••19952——
1GDEG25K8RF••••••19941——
1GDEG25C4RF••••••19941——
1GKEG25KXRF••••••19941——
G25VN1GTEG2••••••19941——
1GDEG25K7RF••••••19941——
1GDFG15R2T1••••••19961——
1GTHG39Y8RF••••••199411—
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 19 Vandura runs has 1 complaint or fewer.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the GMC Vandura the gap between build years is 1.2×: a 1995 car draws 1.3 complaints per run, a 1994 one 1.1.

FIG.02·GMC Vandura — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
19951.328214
19941.1981
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 1995 at 1.3 complaints per run; lightest is 1994 at 1.1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 31% of everything GMC Vandura owners report: Service Brakes, 16 of 39 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·GMC Vandura — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Service Brakes164—
Hydraulic164—
Air Bags43—
Power Train41—
Vehicle Speed Control3——
Seat Belts3——
Steering3——
Visibility3——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 2 recall campaigns on the GMC Vandura; the 2 below cover build years 1994 to 1995. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·GMC Vandura — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
94V227000Equipment:other:labels1995
94V087000Equipment:other:labels1994
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

How serious were they

Of the 39 reports on the GMC Vandura, 12.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·GMC Vandura — complaint severity
OutcomeGMC VanduraAll vehicles
Complaints filed391,115,966
Involved a crash5 (12.8%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire1 (2.6%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported758,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 121% above the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The GMC Vandura share of that is 39 complaints over 31 runs, 0% of everything on record.

Everything on the GMC Vandura
Recalls28 campaignsFuel economy20 mpg bestReliability3.5/5Common problems56 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1981–1996

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a GMC Vandura VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 39 NHTSA complaints from 31 Vandura runs and 2 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Vandura production run has the most complaints?

1GDEG25K3SF, a 1995 build, with 4 complaints. The typical Vandura run has 1.3.

Which Vandura years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 1995 is heaviest at 1.3 complaints per run and 1994 lightest at 1.1.

How many Vandura complaints involve a crash?

12.8% of 39 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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