FaultScore

FaultScore report

1993 Chevrolet C1500 problems

Owners have filed 84 complaints about the 1993 Chevrolet C1500 with NHTSA between 1996 and 2018. The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.

B

FaultScore 32/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet C1500.

How this is worked out

The numbers

84

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

4

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 22 vs 50 Severity 49 vs 50 Early failure not reported
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 22
Against the median year of the Chevrolet C1500. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 49
9.5% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.

How 1993 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 1993 Chevrolet C1500

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

Median failure at 139,000 miles

Seats 14 16.7%

Median failure at 130,000 miles

Brakes 10 11.9%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Engine & Cooling 8 9.5%

0 crashes, 2 fires

Tires 3 3.6%
Body & Structure 3 3.6%

Median failure at 153,600 miles

Electrical System 3 3.6%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Seat Belts 2 2.4%
Steering 2 2.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Other & Unspecified 1 1.2%
Lights 1 1.2%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 1.2%

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.

Motor 16 30.8%
Recliner 7 13.5%
Engine 6 11.5%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 6 11.5%
Automatic Transmission 6 11.5%
Windshield Wiper/Washer 5 9.6%
Manual Transmission 4 7.7%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 2 3.8%

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.

Oct 1996 peak 10 Dec 2018

Recalls on the 1993 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.

Davisburg, MI Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS

NHTSA complaint #548225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alvin, TX 1 injured

SEATS

RECLINER BOLTS BROKEN OUT IN FRAME CAUSING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING, NECK INJURY TO CONSUMER DUE TO FAILURE. MJS

NHTSA complaint #545855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Henderson, NV Crash

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

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES IN A PANIC, THE VEHICLE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #820319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Powell, WY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DRIVING AT 60 MPH HEARD BELT STARTING TO SQUEAK, ENGINE QUIT RUNNING. WENT TO PICK UP HOOD, ALTERNATOR WAS ON FIRE, FLAMES ABOUT 15-24 INCHES HIGH, MECHANIC SAID BEARING HEATED UP AND FROZE WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. SAID IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #819709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Corpus Cristi, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

DRIVING 55MPH WHEN HEARD A NOISE; CHECKED INSTRUMENT PANEL. NOTICED BATTERY NOT CHARGING. VEHICLE STARTED DYING. PULLED TO SIDE. LIFTED HOOD & NOTICED FLAMES. ALTERNATOR IN FLAMES.

NHTSA complaint #815543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Irving, TX Fire

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED, ALLOWING THE PETROLEUM BASED HYDRAULIC FLUID TO BE EXPELLED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #512462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

at 130,000 miles Naranja, FL

SEATS

SEAT SUDDENLY RECLINED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING NEAR HOME. ALMOST VEERED OFF THE ROAD. HAD TO PROP UP SEAT WITH 2X4 TO GET HOME.

NHTSA complaint #11160812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Little Hocking, OH

VISIBILITY

WINDSHIELD WIPERS SOMETIMES WON'T WORK AND WILL STOP DURING USE.

NHTSA complaint #10266483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Laporte, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. EVEN AFTER HAVING THE PROBLEM FIXED. THIS PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING OVER AND OVER. WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL? I GUESS WHEN SOMEONE DIES IN AN ACCIDENT AND THEY GET SUED OVER IT . THIS YEAR MODEL TRUCK ALSO HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING . I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED ONCE IN THIS TRUCK AND THE PROBLEM JUST KEEPS RECURRING.(WHY?)

NHTSA complaint #10209004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Laporte, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. EVEN AFTER HAVING THE PROBLEM FIXED. THIS PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING OVER AND OVER. WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL? I GUESS WHEN SOMEONE DIES IN AN ACCIDENT AND THEY GET SUED OVER IT . THIS YEAR MODEL TRUCK ALSO HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING . I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED ONCE IN THIS TRUCK AND THE PROBLEM JUST KEEPS RECURRING.(WHY?)

NHTSA complaint #10209004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 153,600 miles Newtown, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STANDING ON THE VEHICLE TAILGATE, THE LEFT CABLE DETACHED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO FALL INTO THE BED OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS AN ASC CERTIFIED MECHANIC, AND REPLACED THE CABLES. THIS WAS THE SECOND INSTANCE OF THE CABLES DETACHING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED AFTER MARKET CABLES INSTEAD OF USING GM CABLES. UPDATED 12/28/06.

NHTSA complaint #10175498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles Apopka, FL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

DT: WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING EVERY TIME THERE WAS A HARD RAIN. OWNER DID RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. HOWEVER, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. CONSUMER DID NOT FIND THIS OUT UNTIL HE HAD ALL READY TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. DEALERSHIP CALLED BACK, AND TOLD THE OWNER THAT THE OWNER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL, AND SINCE OWNER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE OWNER'S VEHICLE WAS RETURNED THERE WAS NO WIPER FUNCTION AT ALL. THE WIPERS WILL NOT EVEN COME ON. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALERSHIP MANAGER TO INFORM HIM ABOUT FAILURE, AND THE MANAGER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO ABOUT IT. BUT IF CONSUMER WAS WILLING TO PAY $160.00, THE WIPERS COULD BE FIXED. CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHY HE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE WIPERS WERE WORKING WHEN HE DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CALLED THE GENERAL MANAGER, AND HE WAS SUPPOSE TO RETURN THE PHONE CALL TOMORROW. OWNER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE HIS VEHICLE WITHOUT THE WIPERS SINCE THEY LIVED IN FLORIDA, AND THEY WERE HAVING HURRICANE WEATHER. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10127509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Livonia, MI

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE DRIVING, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF OWN THEIR OWN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10089216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 152,000 miles Monroe, OH

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY. WHEN THEY DON'T WORK I HAVE TO RELEASE THE HOOD, OPEN THE HOOD, AND TAP ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. ONCE I HAVE DONE THIS THEY START WORKING, MOST OF THE TIME, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN THEY HAVEN'T. I DO BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURED IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. AND I SAY THIS BECAUSE OF A RECENT RECALL ON THE WINSHIELD WIPER MOTORS, ON 1996 CHEVROLET EXTENDED CAB PICK-UPS ( LIKE MINE). SINCE, CHEVROLET WAS ABLE TO DO A RECALL ON NEWER MODEL PICK-UP TRUCKS, THEN CHEVROLET SHOULD ALSO DO SO ON THEIR OLDER MODELS PICK-UP TRUCKS. SINCERLEY, SHIRLEY.

NHTSA complaint #10037551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grover Beach, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WHEN THE WIPER SWITCH WAS TURNED ON IT SOUNDED LIKE THE WIPER MOTOR WAS RUNNING BUT THE WIPERS WERE NOT MOVING. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PLAY WITH THE SWITCH TO GET THE WIPERS TO WORK. *NLM WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED, THE WIPERS WOULD COME ON BY THEMSELVES WHENEVER THEY WANTED. AFTER REPAIR, THE WIPERS WERE TURNED ON AND A NOISE WAS PRESENT, THEN THEY STOPPED WORKING. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10019760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Garland, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY DURING RAIN. NOT GOOD. HAD IT TRACED TO CIRCUIT BOARD FAILURE. WAS OF THE UNDERSTANDING THIS PROBLEM WAS RECALLED BUT I NEVER GOT NOTICE. PLEASE RESPOND. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AWHILE NOW.

NHTSA complaint #10016414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mandeville, LA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WORKS INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

NHTSA complaint #765654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Metairie, LA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHTS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #894416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Metairie, LA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. IF TAPPING ON WIPER MOTOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL START AGAIN. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHILD DRIVING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP OPERATING AND CAN NOT GET TO THE WIPER MOTOR FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #894412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Terrytown, LA

SEATS

THE CONSUMER HAD THE RECALL COMPLETED FOR THE FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER (95V-246), HOWEVER THE SEAT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE FAILURE RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSING WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE ON ONE OCCASION DUE TO DEFECT, CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED OF THE PRICE ON THE REPAIR, DUE TO PRIOR RECALL. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #558005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, THE CONSUMER HAS RECONNECTED THE SWITCH, BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR STILL OCCURS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #783647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fullerton, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDOW WIPER MOTOR INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT OPERATE WHEN RAINING. EXTERIOR BODY PAINT AND PRIMER PREMATURELY "SPIDER-WEBS" THEN FLAKES OFF AFTER 4 YEARS OF OPERATION.

NHTSA complaint #736458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gretna, LA

SEATS

WOULD HEAR SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FROM DRIVER'S SEAT. IT WAS BROKEN, BUT REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. ONCE REPAIRS WERE DONE, IT BROKE 3 OTHER TIMES. WOULD HAVE DIFFICULT IN DRIVING WHEN ACCELERATION OR BRAKING. SEAT WOULD MOVE BACK OR FORTH. SEAT HAD FALLEN BACKWARDS WHEN DRIVING & DRIVER'S VIEW WAS OBSTRUCTED. THERE WAS NO CORRECTIVE SOLUTION FOR DRIVER'S SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #874462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas, NC

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE MOTOR. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #871601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ofallon, MO

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DRIVER'S SEATBACK BOLT BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD HAVECAUSED SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. OCCURRED TWICE. FIRST TIME DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM, SECOND TIME DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER. ALSO PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONING DUE TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD. BUT 1993 C1500 WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #871160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ofallon, MO

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DRIVER'S SEATBACK BOLT BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD HAVECAUSED SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. OCCURRED TWICE. FIRST TIME DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM, SECOND TIME DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER. ALSO PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONING DUE TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD. BUT 1993 C1500 WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #871160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooks, KY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE ENGINE LOCKED UP WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED 2 DIFFERENT TIMES, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 4 TIMES BUT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEM AT LEAST 6 TIMES, THE SPARE TIRE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE WAS DRY ROTTED.

NHTSA complaint #731172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooks, KY

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

THE ENGINE LOCKED UP WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED 2 DIFFERENT TIMES, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 4 TIMES BUT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEM AT LEAST 6 TIMES, THE SPARE TIRE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE WAS DRY ROTTED.

NHTSA complaint #731172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooks, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE ENGINE LOCKED UP WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED 2 DIFFERENT TIMES, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 4 TIMES BUT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEM AT LEAST 6 TIMES, THE SPARE TIRE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE WAS DRY ROTTED.

NHTSA complaint #731172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooks, KY

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

THE ENGINE LOCKED UP WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED 2 DIFFERENT TIMES, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 4 TIMES BUT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEM AT LEAST 6 TIMES, THE SPARE TIRE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE WAS DRY ROTTED.

NHTSA complaint #731172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Braunfels, TX

TIRES

I ACTUALLY HAD 2 BLOWOUTS WITH THE WILDERNESS HT TIRES. ONE ON 8/19/00 AND AGAIN ON 8/20/00. ONE TIRE DID HAVE COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE TREAD.( DOT NUMBER: VDM2AWR247 TIRE SIZE: 25570R15 )

NHTSA complaint #728560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.