RoadVitals

1992 Chevrolet C1500 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
41
Latest May 1, 2009
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
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.
7

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1992 Chevrolet C1500, 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

  • Visibility1227.9%
  • Brakes511.6%
  • Transmission511.6%
  • Interior & seats37.0%
  • Body & structure37.0%
  • Engine37.0%
  • Fuel system37.0%
  • Tires & wheels37.0%
  • Suspension24.7%
  • Seat belts24.7%
  • Powertrain (other)12.3%
  • Steering12.3%

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WINSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, MANUALLY MOVING THEM WITH HAND SOMETIMES GETS THEM WORKING AGAIN. ON-GOING PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID 10060182 · filed Mar 2, 2004

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING WIPER FAILURE DURING HARD RAIN. *JG

NHTSA ID 785954 · filed Apr 15, 2002
All 12 reports naming visibility

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGES CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ID 10003742 · filed Jan 14, 2003

REPAIR SHOP REPORTS AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM OF TRUCK'S FRONT BRAKES, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BRAKE HOSES, LINES, CALIPERS AND BRAKE PADS. ALSO, THERE IS A FAILURE OF THE REAR AXLE SEALS OF THE TRUCK, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR BRAKES. THE SHOP, SULLIVAN'S AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE OF KINGWOOD, TX, ALSO TOLD ME THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY OBSERVED FAILURE OF '91-'95 GM TRUCK REAR AXLE SEALS, WHICH AFFECTS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TRUCK'S BRAKING SYSTEM. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT IN MY VEHICLE IS APPROXIMATELY $1300. *AK

NHTSA ID 723544 · filed Jun 4, 2000

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ORIGINAL PAINT FLAKING OFF THE EXTERIOR OF TRUCK; TRANSMISSION JUMPING FROM HIGH TO LOW GEAR FOR NO REASON. ALSO WHEN TRANSMISSION GETS UNDER A LOAD(CLIMBING A SMALL HILL) THE TRANSMISSION VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY UNTILL YOU LET OFF OF THE THROTTLE. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES.*AK

NHTSA ID 744152 · filed Apr 17, 2001

I HAVE SPECIFIC DATES FROM REPAIR BILLS IF REQUESTED.I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS PROBLEMS W/ THE PAINT FINISH IN WHICH THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE GM WASN'T REPAIRING THE PROBLEM ANYMORE. $1200.00 TO REPAIR. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN 96' W/ 29,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS CLUNKED WHEN SHIFTING. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS OK. 92 'S SHIFT HARD NORMALLY. THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT PREMATURLY IN WHICH NOW I NEED TO REPLACE THE OIL RINGS DO TO WARPAGE. THE RADIATOR WAS A SURPRISE TO ME AND ESPECIALLY THE EXUAST SYSTEM. FOR SUCH LOW MILES AS THIS TRUCK HAS, THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN COSTLY AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ID 732843 · filed Sep 29, 2000

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT DRIVER'S SEAT BECAME UNDONE, THROWING CONSUMER INTO STEERING WHEEL. *AK SEAT BACK AND HEAD REST CAME FORWARD AND CAUSED SEVERE BRUISING OF CHEST MUSCLES AND BONE STRUCTURE, HEAD WAS THROWN INTO STEERING WHEEL CAUSING MOUTH TO STRIKE CAUSING BAD CUTS AND BRUISES TO LOWER LIP, NECK AND HEAD INJURIES ARE YET UNDIAGNOSED, SEAT BOLT STRIPPED OUT OF THE NUT ON THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE CAUSING DRIVER TO BE INJURED FROM MOMENTUM OF SEAT. *SLC

NHTSA ID 889875 · filed Jun 6, 2001

BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE RIVOT ACTION OF THE SEAT TO THE SEAT ITSELF HAS FAILED.

NHTSA ID 522538 · filed Aug 6, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

JUST BOUGHT THIS 1992 CHEVROLET P/U C1500, VERY GOOD LOOKING TRUCK AND BODY IN GREAT SHAPE BUT FOUND THAT THE FRAME DIRECTLY UNDER THE FRONT OF THE DOOR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRUCK ARE ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED INTO. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE FRAME AT A COST OF APPROX. 2000 DOLLARS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10251865 · filed Dec 15, 2008

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALSO PAINT IS PEELING OFF BODY OF TRUCK.

NHTSA ID 534503 · filed Apr 22, 1998

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE SPECIFIC DATES FROM REPAIR BILLS IF REQUESTED.I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS PROBLEMS W/ THE PAINT FINISH IN WHICH THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE GM WASN'T REPAIRING THE PROBLEM ANYMORE. $1200.00 TO REPAIR. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN 96' W/ 29,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS CLUNKED WHEN SHIFTING. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS OK. 92 'S SHIFT HARD NORMALLY. THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT PREMATURLY IN WHICH NOW I NEED TO REPLACE THE OIL RINGS DO TO WARPAGE. THE RADIATOR WAS A SURPRISE TO ME AND ESPECIALLY THE EXUAST SYSTEM. FOR SUCH LOW MILES AS THIS TRUCK HAS, THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN COSTLY AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ID 732843 · filed Sep 29, 2000

BLUE SMOKE COMES FROM THE TAIL PIPE WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED FOR THE DAY.

NHTSA ID 780518 · filed Sep 6, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID 826063 · filed Jul 30, 1998

FUEL INJECTORS CAUGHT FIRE.

NHTSA ID 515338 · filed Mar 4, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND SIDE/TOP OF TIRE (SECTION) CAME OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID 10232811 · filed Jul 1, 2008

WIDETRACK BAJA AT TIRE (30 X 9.5R15 LT M/S) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING MANUFACTURER TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES. *SLC

NHTSA ID 557238 · filed Nov 13, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE A 92 CHEVY C 1500 . MY LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE. AND THANK GOD NOBODY GOT HURT. SO I HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINT AND THE TIE ROD. IT COST ME $500.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. CAN CHEVY PAY ME BACK $500.00 FOR THIS PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ID 10267413 · filed May 1, 2009

WHILE DRIVING @60MPH THE UPPER A ARM PIVOT BOLT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE WHILE SLOWING DOWN THIS CAUSED A SUDDEN PULL TO THE RIGHT FOLLOWED BY A UNCONTROLLABLE HARD PULL TO THE LEFT WHICH PUT MY TRUCK IN THE CENTER OF THE DIVIDED HIWAY.....IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE THE TRUCK AT MORE THAN 15 MPH AND STILL HAVE CONTROL. AS THIS PART CANNOT BE INSPECTED WITHOUT REMOVAL OF CRITICAL ALIGNMENT CAMS AND COMPRESSION OF THE COIL SPRINGS IT IS NOT SOMETHING ANY SUSPENSION WILL NOTICE. I HAVE DROVE THIS TRUCK FOR OVER 170,000 MILES AND IT HAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AS OF THIS MORNING THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS AS IT DROVE STRAIGHT WITH NO PULL TO EITHER SIDE AND NO WANDERING. AS IT HAD NO PROBLEMS OR WARNINGS I FIND THIS VERY ALARMING AND AM THANKFULL THAT THE ROAD THAT I WAS ON AT FAILURE TIME WAS DIVIDED.......VEHICAL IS AVAL. FOR INSPECTION.....THANKS STEVE HANSON

NHTSA ID 728036 · filed Aug 15, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SEATBELTS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER IN 1996 FREE OF CHARG. CURRENTLY, THEY ARE WORN OUT AGAIN IN SAME PLACE. *AK THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE TO THE FLOOR FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ID 876967 · filed Dec 26, 2000

ABOUT 2.5 YEARS AGO MY FRONT SEAT BELTS BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ON BOTH SIDES WILL "NOT" ENGAGE. SIMPLY PUT THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT PROVIDE RESISTANCE TO ANY FORWARD MOMENTUM. I CONTACTED SEVERAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA AND WAS GIVEN THE SAME ANSWER BY ALL. THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS AT MY EXPENSE. I LATER CALLED GENERAL MOTORS AND REPORTED MY PROBLEM TO THEM. THE LADY I SPOKE WITH SAID THAT SINCE MY TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THERE WAS NOTHING SHE COULD DO. I INSISTED TO HER THAT IF I WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT I WOULD HAVE NO PROTECTION. SHE STILL INSISTED THAT THIS WAS MY PROBLEM AND NOT GEN. MTRS. AFTER A FRUITLESS EFFORT WITH THIS LADY, I TOLD HER OF AN 87 HONDA ACCORD THAT I HAD OWNED SOME YEARS EARLIER. ONE OF THE SEAT BELTS IN IT BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. I WENT TO THE HONDA GARAGE AND THEY WERE GLAD TO TAKE CARE OF ME. THEY SAID THAT SINCE THIS WAS A SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR IT WAS HONDA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE IT WORKED. MY CAR WAS REPAIRED AND I WAS SENT ON MY WAY. THERE WAS NO CHARGE. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. I COULD FIND NO RECALL DATA FOR THIS PARTICULAR ITEM ON THE OLDER MODEL CHEVY TRUCKS. ONE LAST NOTE. I ATTEND CHURCH WITH A COUPLE OF OTHER FELLOWS WHO OWN SIMILIAR TRUCKS AS MINE. (CHEVY SILVERADOS) THEY TOO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SAME THING BY DEALERSHIPS AND GENERAL MOTORS. I AM AN ENGINEER FOR A MAJOR AUTOMOTIVE AIRBAG MANUFACTURER. I GUARANTEE THAT IF THERE WERE A PROBLEM WITH AN AIRBAG MODULE (OLD OR NEW) WE WOULD "HAVE" TO BRING IT BACK IN AND REPLACE IT FOR THE CUSTOMER(S). I WOULD THINK THAT THE SEATBELTS SHOULD FALL UNDER A SIMILIAR MEASUREMENT. PLEASE RESPOND AS SOON AS YOU CAN. I WON'T ALLOW ANYONE TO RIDE ON THE FRONT SEAT OF MY TRUCK BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID IF THERE WERE AN ACCIDENT, SOMEONE COULD GET HURT. OTHER THAN MYSELF.

NHTSA ID 734876 · filed Oct 22, 2000

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

REPAIR SHOP REPORTS AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM OF TRUCK'S FRONT BRAKES, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BRAKE HOSES, LINES, CALIPERS AND BRAKE PADS. ALSO, THERE IS A FAILURE OF THE REAR AXLE SEALS OF THE TRUCK, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR BRAKES. THE SHOP, SULLIVAN'S AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE OF KINGWOOD, TX, ALSO TOLD ME THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY OBSERVED FAILURE OF '91-'95 GM TRUCK REAR AXLE SEALS, WHICH AFFECTS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TRUCK'S BRAKING SYSTEM. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT IN MY VEHICLE IS APPROXIMATELY $1300. *AK

NHTSA ID 723544 · filed Jun 4, 2000

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

POWER STEERING SYSTEM LOCKS/BINDS IN COLD, NEAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO DEFECT.

NHTSA ID 531324 · filed Feb 24, 1998

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

Data on this page last refreshed .