Owners have filed 135 complaints
about the 1995 Chevrolet K1500 with NHTSA between 1996 and 2014.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 4 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 67
Against the median year of the Chevrolet K1500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 73
14.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1995 compares with every other Chevrolet K1500
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.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
333.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
444.4%
150,000+ miles
222.2%
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 1996peak 8Jul 2014
NHTSA investigations into the 1995 Chevrolet K1500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA97023Opened 31 Oct 1997Closed 1 Jun 1999SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FAILURE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION HAS RECEIVED 375 REPORTS ALLEGING FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME WHICH IS PRONE TO BREAKAGE AT THE LEFT FRONT ATTACHING POINT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE SEAT MAY TILT AWAY FROM THE RISER DURING ACCELERATING OR BRAKING.(SEE CLOSING REPORT)
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 58,000 milesPahrump, NVCrash2 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET K1500. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DOMINATOR SPORT A/T, SIZE LT285/75R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, ONE OF THE REAR TIRES EXPLODED DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CROSSED OVER THREE LANES, AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. TWO OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000. UPDATED 03/14/08.
NHTSA complaint #10209369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roberta, GACrash
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
AT A FRONT IMPACT COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #8007201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oneida, NYCrash
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO PULL INTO INTERSECTION WHEN SPARE TIRE FELL OFF VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE BEHIND CONSUMER TO GO AIRBORN. CONSUMER STATED THAT SPARE TIRE SOMEHOW FELL OFF, AND CAUSED OTHER DRIVER TO BE INJURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #890678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grass Valley, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A FRONT END COLLISION AT 45 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #721307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, NYFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS PUT ON BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #844003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Carlisle, OHCrash
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WIPER CONTROL MODULE IS BAD. THE DEALER SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE WIPERS HAVE FAILED MANY TIMES IN A SINGLE DAY FOR ME, IT CAUSES A REDUCED VISIBILITY PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #703900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 293,000 milesChipley, FL
SEAT BELTS
THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE SEAT HEIGHT. THE LAP BELT PORTION EXITS THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY AT AN EXTREME ANGLE THUS CAUSING EXCESS WEAR IN BOTH THE BELT FABRIC AND THE RETRACTOR COVER. THE BELT ALSO BECOMES ENTRAPPED IN THE SLIT CUT IN THE BELT RETRACTOR SO IT WON'T RETRACT AND BECOMES ENTANGLED IN THE DOOR AS IT'S CLOSED. DUE TO THIS DESIGN FLAW ALL THE AVAILABLE REPLACEMENT DRIVERS SIDE PARTS HAVE BEEN CONSUMED AND NO REDESIGNED PARTS HAVE BEEN PRODUCED. EVEN IF THE REPLACEMENT PART WERE AVAILABLE IT TOO WOULD SOON BECOME WORN TO THE POINT OF QUESTIONABLE SERVICEABILITY WITHIN A FAIRLY SHORT TIME. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND WAS GIVEN REFERENCE # 71-1330000620. THE REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER WHO CONFIRMED PARTS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER SIMPLY STATING PARTS DON'T LAST FOREVER. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE PICKUPS STILL ON THE ROAD AND ANY OF THEM DRIVEN BY TALL DRIVERS WITH THE SEAT FULLY BACK WILL HAVE THE SAME WEAR PATTERN. I TRIED GETTING THE PART FROM SALVAGE SOURCES AND FOUND ALL COMPATIBLE PARTS WERE EITHER SOLD OR IN THE SAME CONDITION AS MY WORN PART. I DID MAKE A MODIFICATION TO THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR HOUSING WITH SOME DIAGONAL CUTTERS TO ALLEVIATE THE BELT BECOMING ENTRAPPED IN THE SLIT BUT THE BELT IS WORN BEYOND SAFE LIMITS AND SINCE THE EXIT ANGLE IS STILL INCORRECT THE WEAR WILL CONTINUE DESPITE THE COVER MODIFICATION. I AGREE PARTS DON'T LAST FOREVER BUT A POOR DESIGN RAPIDLY ACCELERATES THEIR FAILURE AND PUTS THOUSANDS IN JEOPARDY, ESPECIALLY IN LOCATIONS THAT DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAM IN PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10610354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesWest Fargo, ND
VISIBILITY/WIPER
SEAT RAIL BROKE APART, SEAT IS LOOSE AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##
NHTSA complaint #10502177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesRichmond, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET K1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES CONNECTED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 11/16/10*BF UPDATED 11/24/10
NHTSA complaint #10345326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesPahrump, NVCrash2 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET K1500. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DOMINATOR SPORT A/T, SIZE LT285/75R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, ONE OF THE REAR TIRES EXPLODED DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CROSSED OVER THREE LANES, AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. TWO OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000. UPDATED 03/14/08.
NHTSA complaint #10209369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesDayton, IA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON DRY PAVEMENT, AT LESS THAN 10 MPH. CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL THROUGH INTERSECTION. THANK GOD CROSS TRAFFIC WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND AVOIDED COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10152325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesByram, MS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
LOSS OF 2ND AND 4TH GEAR ON THE 4L60E TRANSMISSION IN THE 1995 K1500 Z71 W/5.7 LITER ENGINE
NHTSA complaint #10128236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redding, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10072196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cicero, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ABS SENSOR WAS DROPPING TO ZERO AND CORROSION ALSO CAUSED THE EXCESSIVE RESISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10065173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesCoatesville, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR SEPARATED DURING A LOW SPEED STOP. THIS WAS A COMPOSITE STYLE BRAKE ROTOR THAT FAILED FOR NO VISIBLE REASON. IF THIS FAILURE HAD HAPPENED DURING A HIGH SPEED STOP LOSS OF CONTROL WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10043562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jerome, ID
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE WILL DIE AND STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING OR AT AN IDLE, WITHOUT WARNING. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10021843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesSusanville, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
TOOK TRUCK IN TO HAVE ABS CHECKED, I WAS TOLD THE PUMP AND MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1300.00. THEN HAD HE BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED AND ANOTHER LOCATION AND FOUND THAT PUMP PRESSURE TO ALL 4 WHEELS WAS EQUAL, BUT ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STARTED, BUT WILL RESET W/ DISCONNECTION OF THE BATTERY AND/OR FUSE.
NHTSA complaint #10010921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Livermore, CA
SEATS
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE EXITING VEHICLE, THE BRACKET THAT RETAINS DRIVER'S SEAT "EXPLODED" CAUSING SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARD. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesMillerton, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENLY. TS
NHTSA complaint #8022029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naylor, GA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 98 043 000. BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8017858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ooltewah, TN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORK OCCASSIONALLY.
NHTSA complaint #765297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockwood Boyd, TN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8013698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dewitt, IA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
AT 60MPH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER STOP WORKING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8011251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oneida, NY
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE,; ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING BEHIND DROVE OVER THE TIRE AND WAS SENT AIR BORNE. THE DRIVER WAS HURT. CONSUMER STATED THAT, MANUFACTURER INDICATES ITS HIS FAULT, BECAUSE HE RESIDES IN NEW YORK AND IT WAS WINTER WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #564134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roberta, GACrash
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
AT A FRONT IMPACT COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #8007201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oneida, NY
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE,; ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING BEHIND DROVE OVER THE TIRE AND WAS SENT AIR BORNE. THE DRIVER WAS HURT. CONSUMER STATED THAT, MANUFACTURER INDICATES ITS HIS FAULT, BECAUSE HE RESIDES IN NEW YORK AND IT WAS WINTER WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #564134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION CASE CRACKED TWICE ONCE AT 72,000 AND AGAIN AT 140,000 BOTH TIMES MECHANICS SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A PROBLEM LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #751165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windsor, CT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN TRYING TO USE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN RAIN. NHTSA # 98V15000 RECALL ON THIS FAILURE, BUT DEALER AND CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID MY TRUCK WAS NOT PART OF RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #748668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marysville, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT LEFT BRAKE ROTOR BROKE LOOSE FROM HUB, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ON LEFT, AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO SWERVE TO RIGHT. GMC HAS ISSUED A TSB ON PROBLEM. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK THE FRICTION SURFACE RING BROKE LOOSE FROM THE HUB, AN ANNULAR FRACTURE OF THE ROTOR, CHEVROLET DECLINED ANY CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #892978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Libertyville, IL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WORK DUE TO A MALFUNCTION SOLDER JOINT. CAMPAIGN #98043 WIPERS. WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NEEDED OR WHEN CLEANING WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE INOPERABLE, CAUSING POOR DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. CONSUMER STATED SOMETIMES THEY WON'T GO OFF. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. *AK CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING WHY THE DEALER INISISTS THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL REGARDING WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
SEATS
1. MOUNTING FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK BUCKET SEAT FRACTURED. 2. DRIVER'S POT METAL DOOR HANDLE FATIGUED UNTIL IT BROKE. SEVERAL 1996 SUBURBANS OWNED BY THE MIAMI-DADE FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #746713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.