Chevrolet 1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
147 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
98,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 to 2007 model years. Data snapshot: . 42 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 147 complaints (25.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 11.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 5.4% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 0.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 37 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 24 |
| Seats | 12 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 4 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 37; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 24; Seats: 12; Tires:Tread/Belt: 6; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 6
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 105 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 30 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2002 | 18 |
| 2003 | 38 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
1996: 1; 2000: 30; 2001: 19; 2002: 18; 2003: 38; 2004: 16; 2005: 10; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2013: 5; 2014: 2; 2015: 3
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10115215 · 2005-03-16 (March 16, 2005)
THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE, THEY WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10115215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10585371 · 2014-04-28 (April 28, 2014)
VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE FROM HIGHWAY SPEED, EXCESSIVE BRAKING WAS REQUIRED TO STOP. ENGINE IDLE SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES THE NORMAL IDLE SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 123,199 miles reported. Look up ODI 10585371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 885011 · 2001-04-04 (April 4, 2001)
ALUMINMUM DRIVESHAFT TWISTED IN HALF, CAUSING IT TO SPIN AND HIT GAS TANK AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 885011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8017339 · 2002-08-27 (August 27, 2002)
PARTS FOR RECALL OF FUEL TANK ARE NOT AVAILABLE, AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8017339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8020684 · 2002-10-11 (October 11, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYS ON WHICH IS CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET HOT WHILE THE CONSUMER IS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER. MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8020684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001205 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097215 · 2004-12-17 (December 17, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT LOST POWER AGAIN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A WIRE INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK HAD MELTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB 07161996 VEHICLE STARTED THEN STALLED SEVERAL TIMES THEN FINALLY DIED IN TRAFFIC. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 127,110 miles reported. Look up ODI 10097215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10541964 · 2013-09-04 (September 4, 2013)
I HAVE A 1996 CHEVROLET C1500 ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH A 5 LITER WHICH WAS REPLACED WITH A 5.7 LITER. I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT DUE TO THE OLD PART WAS NO LONGER GOOD. WITHIN 2 MONTHS THE NEW PART SHORTED OUT, FRYING ONE OF THE WIRES ON THE INSIDE PART OF SENDING UNIT, INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. I AGAIN REPLACED THE PART THINKING I HAD BOUGHT A DEFECTIVE ITEM THE FIRST TIME. I AM NOW STARTING TO GET THE SAME SYMPTOMS IT HAD THE LAST TIME RIGHT BEFORE THE LAST SENDING UNIT WENT OUT. I DID AN ELECTRIC CHECK ON THE OLD/NEW FUEL PUMP AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 218,931 miles reported. Look up ODI 10541964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10505017 · 2013-03-30 (March 30, 2013)
I JUST BOUGHT THIS TRUCK ON CRAIGSLIST AND WHEN I GOT IT HOME IT WOULDN'T BACK UP OR SHIFT IN TO SECOND GEAR RIGHT SO I AM HAVING THE TRANNY REBUILT NOW WHIT A MASTER REBUILD KIT AND NEW SUN SHELL AND NEW TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 220,563 miles reported. Look up ODI 10505017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145281 · 2005-12-15 (December 15, 2005)
DASH BOARD HAS BROKEN LOOSE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. PROBLEMS THAT SEEM TO BE PART OF THE BREAK ARE , OIL PRSSURE GUAGE FLUCUATES, AND BATTERY SHOWS DISCHARGE WHEN THE ALTERNATOR IS WORKING PRPERLY, ALSO THE RADIO STAYS ON WHEN ENGINE IS CUT OFF AND KEY OUT,, REPLACED OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT, DID NO GOOD, REPLACED BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR, DID NOT HELP. GUAGES STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND RADIO STILL STAYS ON WHEN IT SHOULD BE OFF. SEEMS TO BE IN THE WIRING AND MAYBE THE IGNITION SWITCH. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 133,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145281 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 2007 | 3 |
1991: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 2007: 3