RoadVitals

1990 Chevrolet K3500

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.
3
Latest Aug 15, 2003
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 May 19, 2006
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet K3500, most frequently naming the body & structure, electrical and suspension categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Body & structure125.0%
  • Electrical125.0%
  • Suspension125.0%
  • Visibility125.0%

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

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

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Sep 17, 1990
194,243 units potentially affected
The defect: TRUCKS CAN CONTAIN INCORRECT INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PROPERLY ADJUST REAR SEAT LAP-SHOULDER BELTS AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 209.
The risk: INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED SEAT BELT WOULD NOT PROPERLYRESTRAIN OCCUPANT IN AN ACCIDENT OF SUDDEN STOP; TRUCKS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITHFMVSS 209.
The remedy: PROVIDE OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING THE CORRECT REAR LAP-SHOULDER BELT INSTRUCTIONS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Aug 15, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PINS ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE HAVE WORN OUT AFTER TWO YEARS. CONSUMER STATES THE DOORS SWING OPEN AT ANY TIME. *AK *TS

NHTSA ID
10030137
Incident
Apr 4, 2002
Mileage
35,800 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 16, 2000

INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING VIEW OF DRIVER. *AK

NHTSA ID
875053
Incident
Nov 16, 2000
ElectricalSuspension
Filed Dec 10, 1996
Fire reported

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE . CONSUMER STATES THE BEARING ALSO LOCKED UP, THE ALTERNATOR CAUSED THE ABS BRAKE AND REGULAR BRAKE LIGHT FUSES TO BLOW. *SLC

NHTSA ID
806063
Incident
Dec 2, 1996

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet K3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996131045.4
1995121136.4
1994611
1993410
1992320
1991010
1990Viewing320
1989120
1988110

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.