RoadVitals

1989 Chevrolet C Series

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.
1
Latest Jan 15, 2004
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.
1
Latest Sep 8, 1989
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.
2
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1989 Chevrolet C Series, most frequently naming the engine category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 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

  • Engine1100.0%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Sep 8, 1989
585 units potentially affected
The defect: TRUCKS MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH INCORRECT OR MISSING
The risk: TRUCKS WOULD NOT CONFORM TO REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 120.
The remedy: INSTALL CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABEL.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE89132ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE

Opened Jun 21, 1989
Closed Oct 16, 1989

SUMMARY:EIGHT CONSUMERS AND ONE FLEET MANAGER REPORT PREMATURE LOWERBALL JOINT WEAR.ALLEGEDLY TWO ACCIDENTS HAVE RESULTED.SUBJECTVEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH MAINTENANCE FREE BALL JOINTS.===

SUSPENSION
PE89116ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKE LAMP SWITCH

Opened Apr 12, 1989
Closed Jul 5, 1989

SUMMARY:TRUCK SERVICE BULLETIN OUTLINED PROCEDURES FOR ADJUSTMENT OFSTOP LAMP SWITCH.OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAVE TAKEN MORE FORMAL ACTION TOCORRECT MISADJUSTED/FAILED BRAKE LAMP SWITCHES.===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

I FIRST NOTEST PAINT CHIPS ON THE GAS CAP, THEN I EXPERENCED PAINT PEELING AS I WASHED OFF BIRD DROPINGS ON THE HOOD AREA AND CAB. I NOW HAVE HEAVY PEELING ON THE RIGHT FRONT FINDER AND THE TOP OF THE CAB.

NHTSA ID
10069917
Incident
Jun 15, 1995
Mileage
89,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

WB11-X-001A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The following information is provided to clearly explain Isuzu’s policy for control module (engine, transmission, antilock brake, instrument panel, body control, power interface, etc.) reprogramming. Control module calibrations are regularly updated for many reasons. These reasons may include, but are not limited to: model year change, software corrections, certification compliance, product improvement and specific application requirements. However, the mere existence of a newer control module calibration does not necessarily mean that warranty coverage exists or that the calibration must be installed. It is not our policy to update control modules, under warranty or after warranty, based solely on the availability of a newer calibration file. Below are our guidelines for reprogramming control modules.

000601019

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AFTER A GM GOODWRENCH REMANUFACTURED 4.3L V6 ENGINE IS INSTALLED. *TT

000604002

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SUBJECT REGARDING A HARD, NO START OR EXCESSIVE GRAY OR WHITE SMOKE CONDITION ON START UP AFTER RECENT GLOW PLUG REPLACEMENT. *TT

990940004

SEATS

GENERAL MOTORS BEGAN PROVIDING CHILD RESTRAIN SEAT TOP TETHER HARDWARE PACKAGES TO CUSTOMERS IN THE UNITED STATES WHO REQUESTED THEM. *TT

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009000
2008100
2007200
2006000
2005000
2004000
2003000
2002303
2001223
2000003
1999302
1998170032.8
1997220031.6
1996110042.0
1995100034.0
1994200
1993700
1992100
1991100
1990100
1989Viewing112
1988002
1987001
1986001
1985001
1984001
1983000
1982100
1979010
1978020
1977010
1976010
1975010
1974010
1973010
1970010
1969010
1968110
1967010
1966010
1965010

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.