RoadVitals

1989 Chevrolet Silverado 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 Jan 28, 2011
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.
4
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 Dec 11, 1996

What this page shows

Our database holds 22 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet Silverado. 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

Suspension
Filed Jan 28, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR AXLE U BOLTS WERE FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10379478
Incident
Oct 10, 2010
Suspension
Filed Aug 12, 2004

WHEN PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. THE DEALER STATES THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD FAILED. *LA *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10083433
Incident
Jul 19, 2004
Mileage
106,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 21, 2003

WHILE AT REPAIR SHOP FOR SERVICE MECHANIC NOTICED THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINE WAS RUSTED. LOCATION IS NEAR REAR TIRE ON DRIVER SIDE, BOTH LINES ARE CLUSTERED TOGETHER. A SECTION ABOUT 3-4 INCHES IN LENGTH IS AFFECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE VIN NUMBER UPON RECEIPT OF THIS COMPLAINT. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10048500
Incident
Nov 19, 2003
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 10, 2003

AT LESS THAN 10 MPH REAR DRIVER TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. 2 WEEKS LATER STEEL BELT BROKE IN BOTH FRONT TIRES AT 55 MPH.*AK

NHTSA ID
10022758
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 11, 2002

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON THE FRONT TWO TIRES AFTER LESS THAN TWO YEARS. "CUPPING ON THE BACK TWO TIRES AND POSSIBLE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION" EVEN AFTER PROPER ROTATION. TIRES WERE SOLD TO ME BY DON OLSEN TIRES PLUS OF NORTH WOODLAND BOULEVARD, DELAND, FLORIDA, AND WERE RETURNED TO THEM AND CONSEQUENTLY REPLACED. THEY SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED YOU OF THE DOT # OF THOSE TIRES AND THAT THERE WERE INHERENT DEFECTS. I AM UNSURE OF THE ACTUAL DOT #, AS I GOT THAT FROM THE REPLACEMENT TIRES, SORRY. THE REST IS CORRECT.*AK

NHTSA ID
762924
Seat belts
Filed Feb 11, 2002
Crash reported

DRIVER'SAND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RELEASE FROM RETRACTING MECHANISM, CAUSING SEAT BELTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
8003847
Incident
Feb 11, 1999
Brakes
Filed Jan 28, 2002

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT REAR ABS BRAKES HAVE FAILED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8002917
Incident
Jan 20, 2002
Suspension
Filed Sep 10, 2001

CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND HEARD A NOISE. RIGHT BALL JOINT BROKE . DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
896156
Brakes
Filed Jun 4, 2001

THE ROTOR ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL RUSTED DANGEROUSLY THIN WHERE THE CENTER SECTION AND THE FRICTION PLATE MEET, AND BROKE ALMOST COMPLETELY APART WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT IS DIFFICULT TO TELL THAT IT IS RUSTED SO THIN UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, EVEN WHEN THE FRICTION PLATE THAT THE PADS CONTACT LOOKS FINE. IT BECAME BRITTLE AND CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES. I STOPPED AND TOOK THE WHEEL OFF TO INSPECT EVERYTHING, AND IT TOOK A WHILE FOR ME TO SEE THE HAIRLINE FRACTURE AROUND THE RING. THIS COULD BE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS TO SOMEONE COMING TO A STOP FROM A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE FRICTION RING COULD COME COMPLETELY LOOSE, AS MINE WAS ABOUT TO DO, AND BIND UP THE WHEEL CAUSING A SKID AND AN ACCIDENT. THE ROTOR CENTER NEEDS TO BE MADE THE SAME THICKNESS AS THE OLDER 70'S MODELS WERE TO PROVIDE MORE "MEAT" AND REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF THIS BRITTLENESS AND CRACKING WITH AGE AND RUST.

NHTSA ID
746413
Incident
May 1, 2001
EngineFuel system
Filed May 24, 2000

THE VALVE COVER GASKETS LEAK AND PRESENT FIRE HAZARDS. THE VALVE COVERS ARE POOR DESIGN AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE GASKETS REPLACED ALL THE TIME. THE FUEL INJECTOR LINES ARE ATTACHED TO THE VALVE COVERS AND HAVE TO BE REMOVED ALONG WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK

NHTSA ID
723149
Incident
Jun 29, 1999
Engine
Filed Mar 8, 2000
Fire reported

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS

NHTSA ID
551281
Incident
Jan 2, 2000
Engine
Filed Mar 8, 2000
Fire reported

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS

NHTSA ID
551280
Incident
Jan 15, 2000
Brakes
Filed Dec 22, 1999

ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKE SYSTEM; WHENEVER VEHICLE WOULD RUN OVER A BUMP OR A POTHOLE AT A LOW SPEED OF 35 MPH OR LESS, IT CAUSED THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK-UP AND BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR FOR A FEW SECONDS. THEN BRAKES WOULD REENGAGE BY THEMSELVES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
854332
Incident
Jun 30, 1990
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 30, 1999

TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER IS MELTING, CAUSING BULBS TO FALL OUT, RESULTING IN SAFTEY HAZARD. *AK

NHTSA ID
849505
Seat belts
Filed Aug 6, 1999

BELTS NOT AVAILABLE - MUST BE ORDERED IN FULL SETS ONLY AT $130 PLUS TAX. ALL WRECKING YARDS ARE SELLING THE BELTS OUT AS FAST AS THEY RECEIVE THEM. THIS MEANS THE CUSTOMER IS INSTALLING BELTS THAT CARRY THE SAME UNSAFE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE RECALL ON THESE BELTS !!!

NHTSA ID
709687
Incident
Jul 24, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Aug 3, 1999

REAR SEAT BELT ON THE BENCH SEAT WOULDN'T LOCK BECAUSE PLASTIC PART BROKE OFF. *AK

NHTSA ID
844175
Incident
Jul 24, 1999
Visibility
Filed Apr 7, 1999

CONSUMER'S FRIEND RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A 1996 CHEVROLET. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED, AND HE'S EXPERIENCING THE EXACT DEFECTS. APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES A YEAR SINCE 1991, WINDSHIELD WIPER S WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. DEALERS SAYS THE CIRCUIT BOARD CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINTS, CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
835936
Incident
Jan 1, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Dec 4, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE CONSUMER STARTED SLOWING DOWN DUE TO THE FUEL INJECTION PROBLEMS. WATER IS IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, AND CONSUMER CAN SMELL FUMES IN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE IS EMITTING A LOT OF VAPORS. *AK

NHTSA ID
831768
Incident
Oct 12, 1998
Body & structure
Filed Aug 6, 1998
1 injury reported

PAINT BEGAN TO PEEL OFF BODY. CLAIMS IT IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.

NHTSA ID
539565
Electrical
Filed Jan 27, 1998
Fire reported

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE ENTERING VEHICLE THROUGH THE DASH. HE THE STOPPED VEHICLE, AND OPENED THE DOOR AND PULLED THE HOOD LATCH. BEFORE HE COULD GET OUT OF TRUCK THE SMOKE HAD TURNED TO FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED FROM THE DISTRIBUTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID
820943
Incident
Jan 6, 1998
Brakes
Filed Nov 5, 1997

WHILE APPLYING ABS BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR; THIS WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A MUCH GREATER STOPPING DISTANCE THAN IT SHOULD. ITS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
818392
Incident
Nov 2, 1997
Brakes
Filed Dec 11, 1996

MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED TWICE.

NHTSA ID
512546
Incident
Jun 17, 1996

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 .