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 K1500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
654.5%
Tires
218.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
19.1%
Electrical System
19.1%
Median failure at 142,169 miles
Engine & Cooling
19.1%
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 2Apr 2014
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 142,169 milesSnohomish, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 CHEVROLET K1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WARMING UP THE VEHICLE, THE KEY SLIPPED OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING ALTHOUGH THE KEY WAS NO LONGER IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,169 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,418. UPDATED 06/17/14*LJ UPDATED 8/8/17
NHTSA complaint #10576817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sonoma, CA
TIRES
ALL FOUR OF MY SEARS GUARDSMAN TRAILHANDLER AP SIZE LT265/75R16 LOAD RANGE C TIRES HAVE SEPERATED. TWO OCCURED WHILE DRIVING AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE OTHER TWO TIRES WERE VERIFIED BY BIG O TODAY THAT THEY HAVE SEPERATED AND CREATED AIR POKETS IN THE TIRES, AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A HAZARD. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. SEARS TOOK THE FIRST TIRE BACK AND PAID ME FOR THE LIFE LEFT ON THE TRED. THE FIRST TIRE DEFLATED, WHILE THE LAST THREE ARE STILL INFLATED.
NHTSA complaint #10130154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fergus Falls, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE PROBLEMS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10015915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lansing, MI
TIRES
WHEN WE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN 1988, THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE FIRESTONES. AT ABOUT 44,000 MILES, I HAD TO REPLACE THEM DUE TO THE PEELING THAT WAS TAKING PLACE. IT HAD PEELED ENOUGH TO EXPOSE A LAYER OF WHITE UNDERNEATH. I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE SPARE TIRE, WHICH I USED ONLY ONCE. I HAVE HEARD THAT THE PROBLEMS WENT BACK TO 1991, I CONTEST THAT, IT GOES BACK TO 1988. ENCLOSING, I HAD BOUGHT GOODYEARS TO REPLACE THEM, AND THEY LASTED ME 56,000 MILES. FORTUNATE, I DID NOT HAVE A ACCIDENT DUE TO TIRE FAILURE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT22575R16 )
NHTSA complaint #732203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lenir, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING AND UPON MAKING A SUDDEN STOP REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, VERY LITTLE BRAKING ABILITY. ALSO EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #857944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lenir, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHEN DRIVING AND UPON MAKING A SUDDEN STOP REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, VERY LITTLE BRAKING ABILITY. ALSO EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #857944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Piperville, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT FEELS SOFT, AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED. SOMETIMES DRIVER HAS TO STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET.
NHTSA complaint #856312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Delta, UT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, WHENEVER BRAKE ARE USED THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP PROPERLY. THE PEDAL FEELS LIKE IT IS PRESSING DOWN ON RUBBER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP, AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. THIS CONDITION STILL REMAINS IN VEHICLE AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE.
NHTSA complaint #825819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATER CORE FAILED CAUSING ANTI FREEZE AND FUMES TO LEAK INTO VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #534393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodward, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES HAVE PERFORMED POORLY FOR LIFE OF VEHICLE DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #810361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gassaway, WV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPYING THE ABS BRAKES IN ANY TYPE OF WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BRAKES FAILED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK CONSUMER STATES BRAKE SYSTEM TAKES TOO LONG TO STOP VEHILCE, MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT THEY REFUSE TO CORRECT IT.
NHTSA complaint #805286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.