RoadVitals

1988 Chevrolet K1500

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.
10
Latest Apr 2, 2014
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.
2
Latest Oct 24, 2007
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet K1500, most frequently naming the brakes, tires & wheels and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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

  • Brakes550.0%
  • Tires & wheels220.0%
  • Electrical110.0%
  • Engine110.0%
  • Visibility110.0%

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

2 campaigns 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
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 10
Electrical
Filed Apr 2, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 CHEVROLET K1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WARMING UP THE VEHICLE, THE KEY SLIPPED OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING ALTHOUGH THE KEY WAS NO LONGER IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,169 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,418. UPDATED 06/17/14*LJ UPDATED 8/8/17*CN

NHTSA ID
10576817
Incident
Jan 8, 2008
Mileage
142,169 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 26, 2005

ALL FOUR OF MY SEARS GUARDSMAN TRAILHANDLER AP SIZE LT265/75R16 LOAD RANGE C TIRES HAVE SEPERATED. TWO OCCURED WHILE DRIVING AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE OTHER TWO TIRES WERE VERIFIED BY BIG O TODAY THAT THEY HAVE SEPERATED AND CREATED AIR POKETS IN THE TIRES, AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A HAZARD. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. SEARS TOOK THE FIRST TIRE BACK AND PAID ME FOR THE LIFE LEFT ON THE TRED. THE FIRST TIRE DEFLATED, WHILE THE LAST THREE ARE STILL INFLATED.

NHTSA ID
10130154
Incident
Jul 26, 2005
Engine
Filed Apr 15, 2003

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE PROBLEMS. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10015915
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 21, 2000

WHEN WE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN 1988, THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE FIRESTONES. AT ABOUT 44,000 MILES, I HAD TO REPLACE THEM DUE TO THE PEELING THAT WAS TAKING PLACE. IT HAD PEELED ENOUGH TO EXPOSE A LAYER OF WHITE UNDERNEATH. I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE SPARE TIRE, WHICH I USED ONLY ONCE. I HAVE HEARD THAT THE PROBLEMS WENT BACK TO 1991, I CONTEST THAT, IT GOES BACK TO 1988. ENCLOSING, I HAD BOUGHT GOODYEARS TO REPLACE THEM, AND THEY LASTED ME 56,000 MILES. FORTUNATE, I DID NOT HAVE A ACCIDENT DUE TO TIRE FAILURE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT22575R16 )

NHTSA ID
732203
Incident
Nov 8, 1991
Brakes
Filed Mar 6, 2000

WHEN DRIVING AND UPON MAKING A SUDDEN STOP REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, VERY LITTLE BRAKING ABILITY. ALSO EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
857944
Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 2000

WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT FEELS SOFT, AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED. SOMETIMES DRIVER HAS TO STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET. *AK

NHTSA ID
856312
Incident
Feb 3, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jul 23, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, WHENEVER BRAKE ARE USED THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP PROPERLY. THE PEDAL FEELS LIKE IT IS PRESSING DOWN ON RUBBER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP, AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. THIS CONDITION STILL REMAINS IN VEHICLE AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE. *AK

NHTSA ID
825819
Incident
Sep 22, 1988
Visibility
Filed Apr 21, 1998

HEATER CORE FAILED CAUSING ANTI FREEZE AND FUMES TO LEAK INTO VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
534393

Manufacturer communications

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

020864016

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON FRONT DOOR HINGE PIN BUSHING WEAR, FRONT DOOR SAG, OR DOOR CHUCKING MOVEMENT IN EXTREME OPERATING CONDITIONS. *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 K1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996942050.3
19951182154.8
19941002149.4
1993222046.8
1992162050.8
1991120—
1990730—
1989103041.2
1988Viewing102040.3

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.