RoadVitals

1990 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.
25
Latest Apr 13, 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 Jan 5, 1998

What this page shows

Our database holds 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 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 1–25 of 25

Steering
Filed Apr 13, 2011

STEERING COLUMN ON 1990 CHEVROLET C 1500 (SILVERADO) IS VERY LOOSE AND FEELS DISCONNECTED. STEERING WHEEL MOVES VERTICALLY OVER ONE INCH AND ENTIRE COLUMN SHAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10395737
Incident
Apr 13, 2011
Mileage
124,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 16, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET SILVERADO PICKUP. HE STATED SINCE PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE HAD POOR BRAKE STOPPING ABILITY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 5 MPH AND UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HIS INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THE REAR BRAKE LINE PINCHED UNDER A HOT RIVET CAUSING A DECREASE IN BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS ALSO CAUSED A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE FLUID REACHING THE REAR BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKE LINE AND TWO REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. SINCE THE REPAIRS, BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE IMPROVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7300 AND THE CURRENT WAS 156,000.

NHTSA ID
10310887
Incident
Jan 10, 2009
Mileage
7,300 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 1, 2009

I HAVE BOUGHT A UNIROYAL LAREDO TIRE AND NOT USED BUT 900 MILES ON IT AND IT BUBBLED ON THE INSIDE COULD HAVE BLEW OUT WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY THANK GOD A TRUCKER TOLD ME I HAD A 3 YEAR OLD CHILD WITH ME. * TR

NHTSA ID
10272478
Incident
May 29, 2009
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 3, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE STEELTEX AT, SIZE LT 245/75 R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THEN A LOUD BANGING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THAT THE ENGINE FELL OUT AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD NOT BLOWN OUT, HOWEVER, THE TREAD SEPARATED TO REVEAL THE STEEL BELTS. THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE. THE CONTACT PLACED THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT A NAIL COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES HAVE APPROXIMATELY 90% OF TREAD REMAINING. SHE STILL HAS THE TIRES ALONG WITH PICTURES. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 213,070.

NHTSA ID
10204797
Incident
Oct 2, 2007
Mileage
213,070 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 12, 2004

SEATBELTS KEEP BREAKING ON MY 1990 CHEVY SILVERALDO C/K 1500 PICKUP. LITTLE PLASTIC PIECES INSIDE THE FEMALE PART OF THE LATCHING DEVICE. KNOW OF OTHER PEOPLE AND OTHER VEHICLES WITH WITH SAME PROBLEM. ALL SEATBELTS ARE BROKEN IN MY TRUCK.

NHTSA ID
10072499
Incident
Dec 16, 2003
Suspension
Filed Apr 11, 2003
Crash reported

THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE LEANED TO THE LEFT, AND THE STEERING HAD BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNSURE IF THE TIRE HAD BLOWN OR IF THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SPECIAL POLICY LETTER IN REFERENCE TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION. MR SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10014837
Incident
Feb 27, 2003
Filed Apr 25, 2002

THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE COMPONENT FAILURE. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY HAD MANY TRUCKS COME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED, AND I FEEL THEY SHOULD RECALL OTHERS TO CHECK OUT PROBLEM BEFORE WE HAVE ANY FATALITIES. ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.**** DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****761182. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10008766
Incident
Apr 1, 2002
Mileage
53,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 28, 2001

STEERING IS VERY LOOSE, AND VEHICLE MOVES UP AND DOWN AND FROM SIDE TO SIDE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ID
897065
Incident
Sep 13, 2001
Brakes
Filed Oct 25, 2000

WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMAITON.*AK

NHTSA ID
873772
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 29, 2000

I WAS JUST DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY...THE TIRE BLEW...LOOKED SHREDDED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED IT, HOWEVER, I HAVE FOUR OF THEM. ARE THEY SAFE?*AK (DOT NUMBER: PJHLVLLR47 TIRESIZE: P235/75R1)

NHTSA ID
732856
Incident
Aug 19, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Sep 4, 2000

REPORTING DRIVER SIDE BELT BUCKLE FELL APART; MFR'S NOTIFIED AND UNABLE TO GET REPLACEMENT PART. LEAVING OCCUPANT WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS:

NHTSA ID
869424
Incident
Aug 28, 2000
BrakesEngine
Filed Aug 22, 2000

THE BRAKE SYSTEM EATS DRUMS AND SHOES <CONSTANTLY FALL APART> FOR BREAKFAST AS WELL AS ROTORS CRACKING. THIS TRUCK IS HIGHLY INADEQUATE FOR STOPPING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND THE BRAKES HAVCE ALWAYS FELT SPONGY. THIS BRAKE SYSTEM IS AN ECONOMICAL AND SAFETY NIGHTMARE!! PLEASE HELP!!! THE OIL LINES TO THE RADIATOR OIL COOLER RUBBED ON THE STEERING BOX AND DRAINED THE ENGINE OF OIL AT 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY! THANK GOD FOR PROLONG! THE VERY SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY SON'S TRUCK GMC 1990 A FEW DAYS EARLIER. BOTH WERE WITHOUT WARNING!!! WHAT GIVES??? SHAME ON GM!!! WHAT A PIECE OF GARBAGE IS THE BRAKING SYSTEM!!!

NHTSA ID
728635
Incident
Aug 21, 2000
BrakesSuspension
Filed Aug 7, 2000

WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO STOP VEHICLE HIT A BUMP AND PEDAL STARTED TO VIBRATE. PEDAL WILL HIT THE FLOOR. IT HAS TAKEN EXTENDED STOPING DISTANCE IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO STOP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, WHO HAD NO REMEDY, AND SAID "GET USED TO IT". BRAKES HAVE CAUSED CONSUMER TO COME CLOSE TO AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP AT AN APPROPIATE DISTANCE. ALSO, TRUCK DOES NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. VEHICLE STARTS TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. DEALER HAD ADVISED CONSUMER TO GIVE THE VEHICLE A "SETTLE IN PERIOD" UP TO 500 MILES, VEHICLE HAS 15000 MILES, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

NHTSA ID
867075
Incident
Feb 1, 1999
Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2000

BRAKE LINE WHICH RUNS NEAR FUEL TANK HAD A HOLE IN IT, REPLACE FUEL LINES

NHTSA ID
9000908
Body & structure
Filed May 7, 2000

PAINT IS PEELING HAS BEEN FOR 2YEARS. TRUCK IS NOT OLD ENOUGH FOR PAINT TO PEEL. PAINT IS PEELING NOT FADING. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTE DIN THE SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
722385
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 17, 2000

IRON ON TRAILER HITCH THAT COMES WITH THE TRUCK IS DEFECTIVE. BECAUSE OF OVERTIME IT WILL RUST AND POSSIBLE CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS COULD HAPPEN IF CONSUMER HAS A BOAT OR ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE BACK, IT COULD DISCONNECT. *AK TRAILER HITCH RUSTED OUT JUST ABOUT FELL OFF. *YH

NHTSA ID
860426
Incident
Apr 6, 2000
Brakes
Filed Feb 21, 2000

BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT RESPOND UNDER PANIC STOP CONDITIONS. *AK

NHTSA ID
719046
BrakesElectricalInterior & seats+3 more
Filed Feb 9, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported

BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENTS. YH

NHTSA ID
550832
Brakes
Filed Nov 16, 1999

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. CONSUMER APPLYIED BRAKES, AND IT SEEMED LIKE THERE WAS NO BRAKE PRESSURE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. HAVEN'T CONTACTED DEALER. *AK *YC

NHTSA ID
852979
Incident
Nov 16, 1998
Brakes
Filed Oct 20, 1999

REAR BRAKE DRUM'S GO OUT OF SHAPE DUE TO THE UNDERSIZE FOR VEHICLE. HAD TO REPLACE THREE SETS OF BRAKES, AND TWO SETS OF WHEEL CYLINDERS. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
851244
Incident
Apr 12, 1999
Brakes
Filed Jul 22, 1999
Crash reported

VEHICLE WAS ON HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 45-50 MPH. APPROACHING RAILROAD TRACKS, APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. WHILE SLOWING DOWN, THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLIDE INTO A TRAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
842951
Incident
May 15, 1991
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 21, 1999

HORN DOESN'T WORK, AND ALL LIGHTS DON'T WORK. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
840551
Incident
Apr 22, 1999
Engine
Filed Apr 13, 1999

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
836696
Incident
Apr 1, 1999
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 12, 1999

AT A SPEED OF 65MPH, MY TRUCK SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO THE MAX RPM. I ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT, BUT THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND SINCE I WAS APPROACHING AN OF-RAMP I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, BUT COULD NOT STOP, SO I TURNED OFF THE KEY, BUT HAD TO SWERVE OFF TO THE GRASS TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE LINE OF TRAFFIC STOPPED IN THE OFF-RAMP. I WAITED A FEW MOMENTS TO STOP SHAKING AND REALIZED A NOXIOUS "BURNING" SMELL WAS FILLING THE CAB AND I THOUGHT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. I WAITED A FEW PANICKY MOMENTS AND RESTARTED IT AND EASED ONTO THE FEEDER RD.AND INTO A MUFFLER SHOP. THE OWNER LOOKED AT IT, DROVE IT AND THEN DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. HE ADVISED ME TO HAVE MY BRAKES INSPECTED, SINCE I PROBABLY DAMAGED THEM WHILE TRYING TO STOP. I WENT TO A CHEV. DEALER AND THEY SAID NO SERVICE BULLETINS COULD BE FOUND.

NHTSA ID
704377
Incident
Mar 12, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Jan 5, 1998
Crash reported1 injury reported

SEAT BELT RELEASED UPON IMPACT, RESULTING IN INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID
522889
Incident
Aug 18, 1997

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.

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