RoadVitals

1990 Chevrolet C1500 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
22
Latest Jul 16, 2009
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.
1
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Oct 25, 1996

What this page shows

Our database holds 22 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet C1500. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–22 of 22

Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 16, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET C1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABLE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE WAS CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE FELL FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000. UPDATED 08/04/09 *BF UPDATED 08/05/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10276979
Incident
Jun 16, 2009
Mileage
206,000 mi
Body & structureFuel system
Filed Aug 9, 2007

1990 CHEVY C1500 1/2 TON STEPSIDE PICKUP TRUCK. GENERAL GRABBER AP TIRES. SIZE 235/75/R15 M+S MADE IN MEXICO OTHER NUMBERS ON TIRE:OK-47410 P5501 25855 021943. 147,300 MILES ON VEHICLE WHEN LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH. TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO TRUCK, RIPPING FENDER MOUNTS OFF IN 4 PLACES, TEARING THE FUEL FILLER NECK FROM FUEL DOOR OPENING AND TEARING OFF THE GAS CAP. FIBERGLASS ON BOTTOM OF STEPSIDE FENDER WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED. TRUCK WAS IN OTHERWISE GOOD OPERATING CONDITION. TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 100 POUNDS OF CARGO; TIRE PRESSURES WERE VERIFIED TO BE 35PSI AT MOST 3 WEEKS EARLIER WITH NO LEAKS. PRESSURE GAUGE ACCURACY WAS VERIFIED BY COMPARING TO SEVERAL OTHER GAUGES. TIRES WERE INSTALLED AT 127,445 MILES WHEN DEFECTIVE FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED. TIRES WERE ROTATED AND BALANCED AT 144,000 MILES. SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED AT ROADSIDE. BLOWN OUT TIRE IS STILL IN TRUCK BED. TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED YET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10199007
Incident
Aug 4, 2007
Mileage
147,300 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 7, 2006

THE SERPENTINE ACCESSORY BELT STARTED TO FAIL. AS IT DID, PARTS OF IT WHIPPED THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE RUPTURING THE HOSE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. SHE NEEDED MY HELP TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS NOT TOTALLY BROKEN. I HAD THE OLD BELT UNDER THE SEAT SO I SWAPPED IT FOR THE BELT THAT WAS FAILING. WITH MY HELP, WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND MAKE IT TO A AUTO PARTS STORE TO REPLACE THE HOSE. THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE FAILURE OF THE SERPENTINE BELT IS INEXCUSABLE. GM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO SHIELD THE POWER STEERING HOSE FROM A SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE. IN MY EXPERIENCE, SERPENTINE BELTS DO NOT FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY. THEY MAKE NOISES AS THEY START TO FAIL GIVING ADEQUATE TIME TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE. IN THIS CASE, WE HEARD THE NOISE OF THE BELT FAILING. BEFORE WE COULD IDENTIFY THE NOISE AS COMING FROM OUR VEHICLE AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10152135
Incident
Oct 26, 2005
Mileage
160,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 6, 2004

DRIVING ON CITY STREET AT APPROX 30 MPH, STOP LIGHT CHANGED TO RED AS I APPROACHED. WAS CLOSE TO INTERSECTION, PRESSED HARD ON BRAKE PEDAL AND IT STARTED SLOWING VEHICLE, THEN AFTER ABOUT .5 SECONDS, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WITH MINIMAL BRAKING AT THAT POINT. DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AS SPEED WAS LOW ENOUGH THAT WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE HYDRALIC SYSTEM STOPPED VEHICLE. AFTER LIMPING VEHICLE HOME (WAS ONLY 3 BLOCKS FROM THERE), INSPECTION UNDER VEHICLE REVEALED STEEL BRAKE LINE RUBBING AGAINST FRAME RAIL JUST BEHIND FIREWALL, WHERE LINE TUCKS INTO FRAME RAIL, CAUSING WEAK SPOT THAT FAILED UNDER PRESSURE. REPAIRS NOT MADE YET, AS INCIDENT JUST OCCURED, WILL NEED NEW STEEL BRAKE LINE FROM ABS CONTROL TO REAR AXLE. CAN SAVE OLD PART. *JB

NHTSA ID
10080463
Incident
Jul 6, 2004
Mileage
177,245 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 2, 2002

OVER A PERIOD OF TIME HEAD LIGHT COVERING HAS BECOME TRANSLUCENT (FADED-YELLOW) TO WHERE LIGHT DOESN'T PASS THROUGH 60-70% WHEN USED. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THEY ARE LEXAN LENSES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
8015394
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Sep 16, 2001

GAS TANK LEAKING DUE TO CONTACT WITH RETAINING STRAPS. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL SOMETIMES ENGAGES BY ITSELF WITHOUT INPUT OR ACTION.**** DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****752237. *AK

NHTSA ID
10006457
Incident
Sep 13, 2001
Mileage
93,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 23, 2001

STEERING WHEEL HAD COME LOOSE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO TIGHTENED WHEEL, 1 YEAR LATER STEERING WHEEL LOOSE AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ID
886497
Incident
Mar 1, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Mar 2, 2000

PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAS BROKEN, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY TO BECOME INOPERABLE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER NO LONGER MAKES THE PARTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
857760
Incident
Feb 15, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jul 29, 1999

REPORTING NOW BECAUSE I HAVE BRAKE WARNING LITE AND NO APPARENT REASON FOR IT. FIRST AND SECOND FAILURES OF ISO VALVE WERE NOT LOSS OF BRAKES, ONLY A SQUISHY FEELING. I NOTE A CURRENT RECALL ON 91-96 GM UNITS THAT SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. NEED ADVICE ON HOW TO ATTEMPT RECOVERY OF OVER $500 WORTH OF REPAIRS THAT I PAID FOR WHICH NOW APPEAR TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT AND I NOW HAVE A BRAKE WARNING LITE WHICH MAY BE THE SAME ASSEMBLY GOING BAD AGAIN!. NOTE RECALL IS LIMITED TO 91 TO 96 UNITS AND I AM A 90. NEVERTHELESS I WANT TO TRY. DEALER HAS BEEN SERVICE HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL. NO COMPLAINT AGAINST THEM.

NHTSA ID
709371
Incident
May 15, 1995
Seat belts
Filed Jul 1, 1999

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT BUCKLE PRPERLY.WHICH WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF A CRASH. DEALER WILL REPLACE SEAT BELT SYSTEM AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK

NHTSA ID
841534
Incident
Jun 1, 1999
Transmission
Filed Jun 22, 1999

THERE IS A RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS SPRAYING OVER THE WHOLE UNDER HOOD AND VEHICLES THAT TRAIL BEHIND.

NHTSA ID
840755
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 13, 1999

REAR END LOCKED , ALMOST ACCIDDENT BUT NO OTHER CARS IN OTHER LANE AT THE TIME!

NHTSA ID
703243
Incident
Jun 19, 1998
Brakes
Filed Jun 15, 1998

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP ON PASSENGER'S SIDE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. ALSO, THE BRAKE LINE UNDERNEATH IS TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO HEAT UP AND OVERHEAT THE ROTORS, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
824325
Incident
Jun 14, 1998
Seat belts
Filed Apr 30, 1998

BOTH PASSENGERS' MIDDLE SEAT AND DRIVER'S SEAT BELTS WILL NOT STAY ENGAGED IN THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELTS TO BE INOPERATIVE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
822925
Incident
May 1, 1997
Brakes
Filed Nov 10, 1997

SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
524578
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 6, 1997

DEFECTIVE HIGH BACK SEAT DESIGN--LEFT BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE DRIVER'S HIGH BACK SEAT TO THE BOTTOM SEAT SHEARED OFF 3 TIMES.

NHTSA ID
516992
Body & structure
Filed Jun 2, 1997

TAILGATE: WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE TAILGATE JUST COLLAPSED. WHEN CLOSING THE GATE IT IS SECURE, BUT WHEN DRIVING IT JUST WORKS ITSELF LOOSE AND FALLS DOWN. TOOK VEHICLE IN AND DEALER TOOK IT APART, BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. *AK

NHTSA ID
812649
Incident
Jun 2, 1994
Engine
Filed Apr 2, 1997
Fire reported

CONSUMER WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN VEHICLE'S ENGINE DIED. HE WAS ABLE TO START IT AGAIN, AS SOON AS IT IDLED IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. CONSUMER POPPED HOOD AND SAW THAT THERE WERE FLAMES. VEHICLE BURNED TO A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

NHTSA ID
810615
Brakes
Filed Feb 21, 1997

ANTILOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ID
515027
Incident
Jan 22, 1997
Brakes
Filed Feb 19, 1997

THE REAR SPRING THAT KEEPS THE ADJUSTING SCREW SET CAME OUT, NEEDS TO PUMP THE BRAKE SO IT WOULDN'T GO TO THE FLOOR . *AK

NHTSA ID
809078
Brakes
Filed Jan 30, 1997

BRAKES FAILED 7 TIMES, MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
514364
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 25, 1996

SEAT BACK BOLT BROKE THREE TIMES, CAUSING SEAT BOTTOM TO SAG/SEAT BACK TO SLAM INTO REAR WINDOW.

NHTSA ID
510620
Incident
Aug 1, 1992

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.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .