1988 Chevrolet C Series(light) Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1988 Chevrolet C Series(light), grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension321.4%
- Brakes321.4%
- Powertrain (other)214.3%
- Engine214.3%
- Exterior lighting17.1%
- Steering17.1%
- Interior & seats17.1%
- Transmission17.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
UPPER BALL JOINTS WORN. *SD
BALL JOINTS SEPARATED DUE TO BEING VERY DRY, CAUSING LEFT/FRONT "A" FRAME TO DROP DOWN ONTO THE ROAD. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGNED TOO SMALL FOR VEHICLE, REQUIRING EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STOP VEHICLE. *DH
BRAKES BOOSTER SYSTEM INSUFFICIENT FOR VEHICLE, RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE WHEN VEHICLE LOADED. *DH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL (93V-119), CAUSING LOUD NOISE/VEHICLE TO VEER SHARPLY. *SKD
REPLACED LEFT FRONT OUTER TIE ROD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE LOSING OIL PRESSURE DUE TO CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK. *SKD
ENGINE OIL PUMP FAILED, RESULTING IN A BLOWN ENGINE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR TURN SIGNAL/STOP LIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. *DH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
REPLACED LEFT FRONT OUTER TIE ROD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DOOR LATCH BROKE WHEN HANDLE PULLED. *DSH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY FORWARD GEAR PRIOR TO SERVICE RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY (90C-035). *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .