FaultScore

FaultScore report

1990 Chevrolet Silverado problems

Owners have filed 37 complaints about the 1990 Chevrolet Silverado with NHTSA between 1998 and 2011. 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

4

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

9

Injuries reported

How 1990 compares with every other Chevrolet Silverado

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 1990 Chevrolet Silverado

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

Brakes 12 32.4%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 7,300 mi

Seat Belts 5 13.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Tires 3 8.1%

Median failure at 213,070 miles

Other & Unspecified 2 5.4%

Median failure at 53,000 miles

Lights 2 5.4%
Suspension 2 5.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Steering 2 5.4%

Median failure at 124,000 miles

Electrical System 2 5.4%
Engine & Cooling 2 5.4%
Equipment & Accessories 1 2.7%
Seats 1 2.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 2.7%
Body & Structure 1 2.7%
Transmission & Drivetrain 1 2.7%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 25.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 25.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 25.0%
150,000+ miles 1 25.0%

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.

Jan 1998 peak 9 Apr 2011

Complaints that involved harm

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

Tucson, AZ Crash

SUSPENSION:FRONT

THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE LEANED TO THE LEFT, AND THE STEERING HAD BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNSURE IF THE TIRE HAD BLOWN OR IF THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SPECIAL POLICY LETTER IN REFERENCE TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION. MR SCC

NHTSA complaint #10014837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fontana, CA 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION VIBRATES. YH

NHTSA complaint #550832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fontana, CA 1 injured

SEATS

PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILS TO LOCK ON RAILS. YH.

NHTSA complaint #550832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fontana, CA 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILS TO LOCK ON RAILS. YH.

NHTSA complaint #550832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fontana, CA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENTS. YH

NHTSA complaint #550832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fontana, CA 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES OFF. YH

NHTSA complaint #550832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

at 124,000 miles Thomson, GA

STEERING

STEERING COLUMN ON 1990 CHEVROLET C 1500 (SILVERADO) IS VERY LOOSE AND FEELS DISCONNECTED. STEERING WHEEL MOVES VERTICALLY OVER ONE INCH AND ENTIRE COLUMN SHAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10395737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,300 miles Urbana, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET SILVERADO PICKUP. HE STATED SINCE PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE HAD POOR BRAKE STOPPING ABILITY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 5 MPH AND UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HIS INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THE REAR BRAKE LINE PINCHED UNDER A HOT RIVET CAUSING A DECREASE IN BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS ALSO CAUSED A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE FLUID REACHING THE REAR BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKE LINE AND TWO REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. SINCE THE REPAIRS, BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE IMPROVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7300 AND THE CURRENT WAS 156,000.

NHTSA complaint #10310887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brazil, IN

TIRES

I HAVE BOUGHT A UNIROYAL LAREDO TIRE AND NOT USED BUT 900 MILES ON IT AND IT BUBBLED ON THE INSIDE COULD HAVE BLEW OUT WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY THANK GOD A TRUCKER TOLD ME I HAD A 3 YEAR OLD CHILD WITH ME. * TR

NHTSA complaint #10272478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 213,070 miles Valley Springs, CA

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE STEELTEX AT, SIZE LT 245/75 R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THEN A LOUD BANGING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THAT THE ENGINE FELL OUT AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD NOT BLOWN OUT, HOWEVER, THE TREAD SEPARATED TO REVEAL THE STEEL BELTS. THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE. THE CONTACT PLACED THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT A NAIL COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES HAVE APPROXIMATELY 90% OF TREAD REMAINING. SHE STILL HAS THE TIRES ALONG WITH PICTURES. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 213,070.

NHTSA complaint #10204797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BIG O AK Flat, CA

SEAT BELTS

SEATBELTS KEEP BREAKING ON MY 1990 CHEVY SILVERALDO C/K 1500 PICKUP. LITTLE PLASTIC PIECES INSIDE THE FEMALE PART OF THE LATCHING DEVICE. KNOW OF OTHER PEOPLE AND OTHER VEHICLES WITH WITH SAME PROBLEM. ALL SEATBELTS ARE BROKEN IN MY TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10072499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BIG O AK Flat, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SEATBELTS KEEP BREAKING ON MY 1990 CHEVY SILVERALDO C/K 1500 PICKUP. LITTLE PLASTIC PIECES INSIDE THE FEMALE PART OF THE LATCHING DEVICE. KNOW OF OTHER PEOPLE AND OTHER VEHICLES WITH WITH SAME PROBLEM. ALL SEATBELTS ARE BROKEN IN MY TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10072499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,000 miles Brownstown, MI

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE COMPONENT FAILURE. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY HAD MANY TRUCKS COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED, AND I FEEL THEY SHOULD RECALL OTHERS TO CHECK OUT PROBLEM BEFORE WE HAVE ANY FATALITIES. ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.**** DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****761182. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10008766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tucson, AZ Crash

SUSPENSION:FRONT

THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE LEANED TO THE LEFT, AND THE STEERING HAD BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNSURE IF THE TIRE HAD BLOWN OR IF THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SPECIAL POLICY LETTER IN REFERENCE TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION. MR SCC

NHTSA complaint #10014837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

STEERING

STEERING IS VERY LOOSE, AND VEHICLE MOVES UP AND DOWN AND FROM SIDE TO SIDE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA complaint #897065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hedgesville, WV

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

WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMAITON.

NHTSA complaint #873772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lindsay, CA

TIRES

I WAS JUST DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY...THE TIRE BLEW...LOOKED SHREDDED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED IT, HOWEVER, I HAVE FOUR OF THEM. ARE THEY SAFE?*AK (DOT NUMBER: PJHLVLLR47 TIRESIZE: P235/75R1)

NHTSA complaint #732856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Pedro, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THE BRAKE SYSTEM EATS DRUMS AND SHOES <CONSTANTLY FALL APART> FOR BREAKFAST AS WELL AS ROTORS CRACKING. THIS TRUCK IS HIGHLY INADEQUATE FOR STOPPING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND THE BRAKES HAVCE ALWAYS FELT SPONGY. THIS BRAKE SYSTEM IS AN ECONOMICAL AND SAFETY NIGHTMARE!! PLEASE HELP!!! THE OIL LINES TO THE RADIATOR OIL COOLER RUBBED ON THE STEERING BOX AND DRAINED THE ENGINE OF OIL AT 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY! THANK GOD FOR PROLONG! THE VERY SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY SON'S TRUCK GMC 1990 A FEW DAYS EARLIER. BOTH WERE WITHOUT WARNING!!! WHAT GIVES??? SHAME ON GM!!! WHAT A PIECE OF GARBAGE IS THE BRAKING SYSTEM!!!

NHTSA complaint #728635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Pedro, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE BRAKE SYSTEM EATS DRUMS AND SHOES <CONSTANTLY FALL APART> FOR BREAKFAST AS WELL AS ROTORS CRACKING. THIS TRUCK IS HIGHLY INADEQUATE FOR STOPPING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND THE BRAKES HAVCE ALWAYS FELT SPONGY. THIS BRAKE SYSTEM IS AN ECONOMICAL AND SAFETY NIGHTMARE!! PLEASE HELP!!! THE OIL LINES TO THE RADIATOR OIL COOLER RUBBED ON THE STEERING BOX AND DRAINED THE ENGINE OF OIL AT 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY! THANK GOD FOR PROLONG! THE VERY SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY SON'S TRUCK GMC 1990 A FEW DAYS EARLIER. BOTH WERE WITHOUT WARNING!!! WHAT GIVES??? SHAME ON GM!!! WHAT A PIECE OF GARBAGE IS THE BRAKING SYSTEM!!!

NHTSA complaint #728635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose Bautista, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

REPORTING DRIVER SIDE BELT BUCKLE FELL APART; MFR'S NOTIFIED AND UNABLE TO GET REPLACEMENT PART. LEAVING OCCUPANT WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS:

NHTSA complaint #869424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, OK

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

WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO STOP VEHICLE HIT A BUMP AND PEDAL STARTED TO VIBRATE. PEDAL WILL HIT THE FLOOR. IT HAS TAKEN EXTENDED STOPING DISTANCE IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO STOP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, WHO HAD NO REMEDY, AND SAID "GET USED TO IT". BRAKES HAVE CAUSED CONSUMER TO COME CLOSE TO AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP AT AN APPROPIATE DISTANCE. ALSO, TRUCK DOES NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. VEHICLE STARTS TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. DEALER HAD ADVISED CONSUMER TO GIVE THE VEHICLE A "SETTLE IN PERIOD" UP TO 500 MILES, VEHICLE HAS 15000 MILES, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.

NHTSA complaint #867075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, OK

SUSPENSION:FRONT

WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO STOP VEHICLE HIT A BUMP AND PEDAL STARTED TO VIBRATE. PEDAL WILL HIT THE FLOOR. IT HAS TAKEN EXTENDED STOPING DISTANCE IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO STOP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, WHO HAD NO REMEDY, AND SAID "GET USED TO IT". BRAKES HAVE CAUSED CONSUMER TO COME CLOSE TO AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP AT AN APPROPIATE DISTANCE. ALSO, TRUCK DOES NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. VEHICLE STARTS TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. DEALER HAD ADVISED CONSUMER TO GIVE THE VEHICLE A "SETTLE IN PERIOD" UP TO 500 MILES, VEHICLE HAS 15000 MILES, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.

NHTSA complaint #867075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Schenectady, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

BRAKE LINE WHICH RUNS NEAR FUEL TANK HAD A HOLE IN IT, REPLACE FUEL LINES

NHTSA complaint #9000908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Longview, TX

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

PAINT IS PEELING HAS BEEN FOR 2YEARS. TRUCK IS NOT OLD ENOUGH FOR PAINT TO PEEL. PAINT IS PEELING NOT FADING. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTE DIN THE SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #722385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sebewaing, MI

TRAILER HITCHES

IRON ON TRAILER HITCH THAT COMES WITH THE TRUCK IS DEFECTIVE. BECAUSE OF OVERTIME IT WILL RUST AND POSSIBLE CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS COULD HAPPEN IF CONSUMER HAS A BOAT OR ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE BACK, IT COULD DISCONNECT. *AK TRAILER HITCH RUSTED OUT JUST ABOUT FELL OFF.

NHTSA complaint #860426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pagosa Springs, CO

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

BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT RESPOND UNDER PANIC STOP CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #719046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fontana, CA 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION VIBRATES. YH

NHTSA complaint #550832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fontana, CA 1 injured

SEATS

PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILS TO LOCK ON RAILS. YH.

NHTSA complaint #550832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fontana, CA 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

PASSENGER SEAT BELT AND SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILS TO LOCK ON RAILS. YH.

NHTSA complaint #550832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fontana, CA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENTS. YH

NHTSA complaint #550832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fontana, CA 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES OFF. YH

NHTSA complaint #550832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.