FaultScore

FaultScore report

1988 Chevrolet C1500 problems

Owners have filed 37 complaints about the 1988 Chevrolet C1500 with NHTSA between 1996 and 2010. The largest single group is the brakes.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

37

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

5

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

How 1988 compares with every other Chevrolet C1500

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1988 Chevrolet C1500

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Brakes 14 37.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Seat Belts 5 13.5%

Median failure at 179,875 miles

Suspension 3 8.1%
Steering 3 8.1%
Engine & Cooling 3 8.1%

0 crashes, 2 fires

Doors, Latches & Locks 2 5.4%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Fuel & Propulsion 2 5.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 5.4%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 2.7%
Lights 1 2.7%
Electrical System 1 2.7%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 5 21.7%
Foundation Components 4 17.4%
Pads 3 13.0%
Gasoline 3 13.0%
Latch 2 8.7%
Retractor 2 8.7%
Control ARM 2 8.7%
Automatic Transmission 2 8.7%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Aug 1996 peak 6 Apr 2010

Recalls on the 1988 Chevrolet C1500

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

07E088000

EQUIPMENT

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Bowling GR, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)

NHTSA complaint #523586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Icard, NC Crash

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

METAL AROUND STRIKER NUTS IS CRACKING BECAUSE DOOR WILL NOT SIT PROPERLY. DOOR CANNOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED.

NHTSA complaint #527456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Icard, NC Crash

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

VEHICLE WAS IN COLLISION, CAUSING DOOR TO DROP AT THE LATCH AND LOCK ASSEMBLEY. IT IS CAUSING THE METAL AROUND THE STRIKER NUTS TO CRACK, WEARING THE LOCK ASSEMBLY OUT.

NHTSA complaint #527435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WHILE DRIVING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #817110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grapeland, TX Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

FUEL LINE LEAK, CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #516592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hennessey, OK Fire

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

UPON MAKING A STOP ON DRY PAVEMENT ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND BRAKES FADING AWAY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #810106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 179,875 miles Swansboro, NC

SEAT BELTS

MY SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 1988 CHEVY 2WHEEL DRIVE PICK-UP HAS FAILED AND CANNOT BE EXTENDED FOR USE. AT ONE TIME A FED LAW DIRECTING DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SAFETY ITEMS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER WAS IN EFFECT. I CAN NO LONGER FIND ANY REFERENCE TO THIS ITEM. IS IT STILL IN AFFECT? AND IF IT IS HOW CAN I OBTAIN A COPY OF IT TO SHOW TO A DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10327153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa Barbara, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

LATCH ON DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IS CONTINUALLY BREAKING. *AK CONSUMER STATES LATCH BROKE WHILE LEANING FORWARD TO ADJUST RADIO AND HE CAN SEE THE BROKEN PIECE OF WHITE PLASTIC INSIDE LATCH. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #883655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lowerlake, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND WOULDN'T START BACK UP. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER AND DIED OUT. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT SOMEONE CHANGED MILEAGE ON VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #832730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monunet, CO

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS ON THE LEFT / RIGHT HAND SIDE DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. PASSENGER'S CAN'T RIDE IN THE REAR OF VEHICLE WITHOUT SEAT BELTS.

NHTSA complaint #842433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glen Burni, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED, VEHICLE UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME TO AVOID HITTING STOPPED VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #547176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ashville, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON AND OFF WHILE IN USE WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #831069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Port, KY

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

RECALL NOTICE SENT ON BALL JOINTS, HOWEVER WORK DENIED.

NHTSA complaint #521717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Falmouth, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, ALSO, THE LINING ON THE PADS CAME OFF WHILE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #823421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Falmouth, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, ALSO, THE LINING ON THE PADS CAME OFF WHILE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #823421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Midland, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #534772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pensacola, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FUEL PUMP TERMINALS SHORTED OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DIE/STALL.

NHTSA complaint #534577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bowling GR, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)

NHTSA complaint #523586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vandalia, OH

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

STEERING WHEEL LOOSE.

NHTSA complaint #524818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phoenix, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE CAUSING CONSUMER LOSS OF CONTROL ON OCCASION.

NHTSA complaint #524756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hanover, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKE ROTORS HAVE FAILED SIX TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR.

NHTSA complaint #524253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hanover, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

BRAKE CALIPERS HAVE FAILED SIX TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR.

NHTSA complaint #524253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hanover, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

BRAKE PADS HAVE FAILED SIX TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR.

NHTSA complaint #524253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Icard, NC Crash

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

METAL AROUND STRIKER NUTS IS CRACKING BECAUSE DOOR WILL NOT SIT PROPERLY. DOOR CANNOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED.

NHTSA complaint #527456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Icard, NC Crash

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

VEHICLE WAS IN COLLISION, CAUSING DOOR TO DROP AT THE LATCH AND LOCK ASSEMBLEY. IT IS CAUSING THE METAL AROUND THE STRIKER NUTS TO CRACK, WEARING THE LOCK ASSEMBLY OUT.

NHTSA complaint #527435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palmer, TX

SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE

LEFT REAR AXLE FAILED AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER.

NHTSA complaint #523777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Falmouth, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

APPLIED THE BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP THE TRUCK. DEALER SAID THAT THE LINING ON THE PADS CAME OFF WHICH ALLOWED THE PEDAL TO STICK.

NHTSA complaint #817532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WHILE DRIVING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #817110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lancaster, PA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT TAKE UP SLACK IN SHOULDER BELT AFTER LEANING FORWARD TO REACH RADIO OR CLIMATE CONTROLS. THE ONLY WAY SEA TBELT CAN BE REMOVED IS TO UNFASTEN THE BELT AND LET IT RETRACT.

NHTSA complaint #518210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warren, MI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #518284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grapeland, TX Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

FUEL LINE LEAK, CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #516592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.