RoadVitals

1989 Chevrolet C Series(light)

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
Latest Apr 14, 1996
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet C Series(light), most frequently naming the suspension, transmission and brakes categories. 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Suspension220.0%
  • Transmission220.0%
  • Brakes110.0%
  • Electrical110.0%
  • Airbags110.0%
  • Steering110.0%
  • Engine110.0%
  • Body & structure110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Suspension
Filed Apr 14, 1996

FRONT RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED. *DSH

NHTSA ID
503421
Incident
Aug 21, 1995
Body & structure
Filed Apr 2, 1996

INSUFFICIENT ROOM IN CAB OF TRUCK FOR CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS/BOOSTER SEATS. *DSH

NHTSA ID
503015
Incident
Apr 2, 1996
Transmission
Filed Dec 29, 1995

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED TWICE. *AK

NHTSA ID
490605
Incident
Dec 29, 1995
BrakesElectricalSteering+1 more
Filed Oct 25, 1995
Crash reported1 injury reported

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP 3 TIMES, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AK

NHTSA ID
487356
Incident
Oct 25, 1995
Airbags
Filed Aug 2, 1995

THE SRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. DUP OF 969100. *AK

NHTSA ID
969838
Incident
Aug 2, 1995
Engine
Filed Apr 3, 1995

ENGINE OIL SENSOR FAILED, RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
482644
Incident
Apr 3, 1995
Suspension
Filed Jan 11, 1995
Crash reported

BALL JOINT SEPARATED, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, ALSO PREMATURE WEAR OF TIRES (OTHER VEHICLE FROM 478116). *AK

NHTSA ID
479201
Incident
Jan 14, 1994

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

661509A

STRUCTURE:BODY

FIBER GLASS REAR FENDER PAINT STAR SHAPED CRACKS (INSTALL PROTECTIVE LINER). *TW

568204

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE CHATTER(REPLACE WIPER ARM AND BLADE). *SD

376602A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

NEW CAST IRON EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND STAINLESS STEEL GASKET TO CORRECT ENGINE NOISE CONDITION. *TW

568201

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WIPER BLADE CHATTER. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet C Series(light) by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998100
1997200
1996300
1995430033.5
1994270036.7
1993120037.6
1992500
1991500
1990500
1989Viewing700
1988120028.0
1987200
1986100
1985200
1984200
1983000
1982000
1981200

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.