Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1990 Chevrolet C1500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
832.0%
Median failure at 177,245 miles
Seat Belts
312.0%
Seats
28.0%
Fuel & Propulsion
28.0%
Median failure at 120,150 miles
Body & Structure
28.0%
Median failure at 147,300 miles
Steering
28.0%
Median failure at 160,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
28.0%
Equipment & Accessories
14.0%
Median failure at 206,000 miles
Lights
14.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
14.0%
Median failure at 93,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
14.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
75,000 – 99,999 miles
228.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
228.6%
150,000+ miles
342.9%
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.
Nov 1996peak 2Jul 2009
Recalls on the 1990 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.
90V170000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
TRUCKS CAN CONTAIN INCORRECT INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PROPERLY ADJUST REAR SEAT LAP-SHOULDER BELTS AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 209.
Risk: INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED SEAT BELT WOULD NOT PROPERLYRESTRAIN OCCUPANT IN AN ACCIDENT OF SUDDEN STOP; TRUCKS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITHFMVSS 209.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Fortworth, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN VEHICLE'S ENGINE DIED. HE WAS ABLE TO START IT AGAIN, AS SOON AS IT IDLED IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. CONSUMER POPPED HOOD AND SAW THAT THERE WERE FLAMES. VEHICLE BURNED TO A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #810615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 206,000 milesWhiting, IN
EQUIPMENT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET C1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABLE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE WAS CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE FELL FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000. UPDATED 08/04/09 *BF UPDATED 08/05/09.
NHTSA complaint #10276979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,300 milesWesterville, OH
STRUCTURE
1990 CHEVY C1500 1/2 TON STEPSIDE PICKUP TRUCK. GENERAL GRABBER AP TIRES. SIZE 235/75/R15 M+S MADE IN MEXICO OTHER NUMBERS ON TIRE:OK-47410 P5501 25855 021943. 147,300 MILES ON VEHICLE WHEN LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH. TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO TRUCK, RIPPING FENDER MOUNTS OFF IN 4 PLACES, TEARING THE FUEL FILLER NECK FROM FUEL DOOR OPENING AND TEARING OFF THE GAS CAP. FIBERGLASS ON BOTTOM OF STEPSIDE FENDER WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED. TRUCK WAS IN OTHERWISE GOOD OPERATING CONDITION. TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 100 POUNDS OF CARGO; TIRE PRESSURES WERE VERIFIED TO BE 35PSI AT MOST 3 WEEKS EARLIER WITH NO LEAKS. PRESSURE GAUGE ACCURACY WAS VERIFIED BY COMPARING TO SEVERAL OTHER GAUGES. TIRES WERE INSTALLED AT 127,445 MILES WHEN DEFECTIVE FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED. TIRES WERE ROTATED AND BALANCED AT 144,000 MILES. SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED AT ROADSIDE. BLOWN OUT TIRE IS STILL IN TRUCK BED. TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED YET.
NHTSA complaint #10199007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,300 milesWesterville, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
1990 CHEVY C1500 1/2 TON STEPSIDE PICKUP TRUCK. GENERAL GRABBER AP TIRES. SIZE 235/75/R15 M+S MADE IN MEXICO OTHER NUMBERS ON TIRE:OK-47410 P5501 25855 021943. 147,300 MILES ON VEHICLE WHEN LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH. TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO TRUCK, RIPPING FENDER MOUNTS OFF IN 4 PLACES, TEARING THE FUEL FILLER NECK FROM FUEL DOOR OPENING AND TEARING OFF THE GAS CAP. FIBERGLASS ON BOTTOM OF STEPSIDE FENDER WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED. TRUCK WAS IN OTHERWISE GOOD OPERATING CONDITION. TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 100 POUNDS OF CARGO; TIRE PRESSURES WERE VERIFIED TO BE 35PSI AT MOST 3 WEEKS EARLIER WITH NO LEAKS. PRESSURE GAUGE ACCURACY WAS VERIFIED BY COMPARING TO SEVERAL OTHER GAUGES. TIRES WERE INSTALLED AT 127,445 MILES WHEN DEFECTIVE FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED. TIRES WERE ROTATED AND BALANCED AT 144,000 MILES. SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED AT ROADSIDE. BLOWN OUT TIRE IS STILL IN TRUCK BED. TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED YET.
NHTSA complaint #10199007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesNEW Meadows, ID
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THE SERPENTINE ACCESSORY BELT STARTED TO FAIL. AS IT DID, PARTS OF IT WHIPPED THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE RUPTURING THE HOSE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. SHE NEEDED MY HELP TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS NOT TOTALLY BROKEN. I HAD THE OLD BELT UNDER THE SEAT SO I SWAPPED IT FOR THE BELT THAT WAS FAILING. WITH MY HELP, WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND MAKE IT TO A AUTO PARTS STORE TO REPLACE THE HOSE. THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE FAILURE OF THE SERPENTINE BELT IS INEXCUSABLE. GM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO SHIELD THE POWER STEERING HOSE FROM A SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE. IN MY EXPERIENCE, SERPENTINE BELTS DO NOT FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY. THEY MAKE NOISES AS THEY START TO FAIL GIVING ADEQUATE TIME TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE. IN THIS CASE, WE HEARD THE NOISE OF THE BELT FAILING. BEFORE WE COULD IDENTIFY THE NOISE AS COMING FROM OUR VEHICLE AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE POWER STEERING FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10152135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 177,245 milesBloomington, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DRIVING ON CITY STREET AT APPROX 30 MPH, STOP LIGHT CHANGED TO RED AS I APPROACHED. WAS CLOSE TO INTERSECTION, PRESSED HARD ON BRAKE PEDAL AND IT STARTED SLOWING VEHICLE, THEN AFTER ABOUT .5 SECONDS, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WITH MINIMAL BRAKING AT THAT POINT. DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AS SPEED WAS LOW ENOUGH THAT WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE HYDRALIC SYSTEM STOPPED VEHICLE. AFTER LIMPING VEHICLE HOME (WAS ONLY 3 BLOCKS FROM THERE), INSPECTION UNDER VEHICLE REVEALED STEEL BRAKE LINE RUBBING AGAINST FRAME RAIL JUST BEHIND FIREWALL, WHERE LINE TUCKS INTO FRAME RAIL, CAUSING WEAK SPOT THAT FAILED UNDER PRESSURE. REPAIRS NOT MADE YET, AS INCIDENT JUST OCCURED, WILL NEED NEW STEEL BRAKE LINE FROM ABS CONTROL TO REAR AXLE. CAN SAVE OLD PART.
NHTSA complaint #10080463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesFort Wayne, IN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
GAS TANK LEAKING DUE TO CONTACT WITH RETAINING STRAPS. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL SOMETIMES ENGAGES BY ITSELF WITHOUT INPUT OR ACTION.**** DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****752237.
NHTSA complaint #10006457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesFort Wayne, IN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
GAS TANK LEAKING DUE TO CONTACT WITH RETAINING STRAPS. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL SOMETIMES ENGAGES BY ITSELF WITHOUT INPUT OR ACTION.**** DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****752237.
NHTSA complaint #10006457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
OVER A PERIOD OF TIME HEAD LIGHT COVERING HAS BECOME TRANSLUCENT (FADED-YELLOW) TO WHERE LIGHT DOESN'T PASS THROUGH 60-70% WHEN USED. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THEY ARE LEXAN LENSES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #8015394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chadsworth, CA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL HAD COME LOOSE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO TIGHTENED WHEEL, 1 YEAR LATER STEERING WHEEL LOOSE AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #886497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Fane, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAS BROKEN, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY TO BECOME INOPERABLE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER NO LONGER MAKES THE PARTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #857760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reedley, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
REPORTING NOW BECAUSE I HAVE BRAKE WARNING LITE AND NO APPARENT REASON FOR IT. FIRST AND SECOND FAILURES OF ISO VALVE WERE NOT LOSS OF BRAKES, ONLY A SQUISHY FEELING. I NOTE A CURRENT RECALL ON 91-96 GM UNITS THAT SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. NEED ADVICE ON HOW TO ATTEMPT RECOVERY OF OVER $500 WORTH OF REPAIRS THAT I PAID FOR WHICH NOW APPEAR TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT AND I NOW HAVE A BRAKE WARNING LITE WHICH MAY BE THE SAME ASSEMBLY GOING BAD AGAIN!. NOTE RECALL IS LIMITED TO 91 TO 96 UNITS AND I AM A 90. NEVERTHELESS I WANT TO TRY. DEALER HAS BEEN SERVICE HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL. NO COMPLAINT AGAINST THEM.
NHTSA complaint #709371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plainfield, CT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT BUCKLE PRPERLY.WHICH WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF A CRASH. DEALER WILL REPLACE SEAT BELT SYSTEM AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#.
NHTSA complaint #841534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Urbana, IL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THERE IS A RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS SPRAYING OVER THE WHOLE UNDER HOOD AND VEHICLES THAT TRAIL BEHIND.
NHTSA complaint #840755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sturgeon BAY, WI
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR END LOCKED , ALMOST ACCIDDENT BUT NO OTHER CARS IN OTHER LANE AT THE TIME!
NHTSA complaint #703243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingsville, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP ON PASSENGER'S SIDE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. ALSO, THE BRAKE LINE UNDERNEATH IS TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO HEAT UP AND OVERHEAT THE ROTORS, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #824325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingsville, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP ON PASSENGER'S SIDE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. ALSO, THE BRAKE LINE UNDERNEATH IS TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO HEAT UP AND OVERHEAT THE ROTORS, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #824325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clavis, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
BOTH PASSENGERS' MIDDLE SEAT AND DRIVER'S SEAT BELTS WILL NOT STAY ENGAGED IN THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELTS TO BE INOPERATIVE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #822925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #524578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mercer Island, WA
SEATS
THE LEFT MOUNTING BOLT, THAT ATTACHES THE HIGH BACK TO THE SEAT, HAS SHEARED OFF THREE TIMES, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED FOR YEAR AND MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #516992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, KS
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
TAILGATE: WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE TAILGATE JUST COLLAPSED. WHEN CLOSING THE GATE IT IS SECURE, BUT WHEN DRIVING IT JUST WORKS ITSELF LOOSE AND FALLS DOWN. TOOK VEHICLE IN AND DEALER TOOK IT APART, BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #812649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fortworth, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN VEHICLE'S ENGINE DIED. HE WAS ABLE TO START IT AGAIN, AS SOON AS IT IDLED IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. CONSUMER POPPED HOOD AND SAW THAT THERE WERE FLAMES. VEHICLE BURNED TO A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #810615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ontario, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKES FAILED 7 TIMES, MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #514364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fulton, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ANTILOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA complaint #515027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nicoma Park, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE REAR SPRING THAT KEEPS THE ADJUSTING SCREW SET CAME OUT, NEEDS TO PUMP THE BRAKE SO IT WOULDN'T GO TO THE FLOOR .
NHTSA complaint #809078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mercer Island, WA
SEATS
SEAT BACK BOLT BROKE THREE TIMES, CAUSING SEAT BOTTOM TO SAG/SEAT BACK TO SLAM INTO REAR WINDOW.
NHTSA complaint #510620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.