Chevrolet C15 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
176 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 to 1996 model years. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 176 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 48 | 27.3% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 5.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 2.8% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 1.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 22 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 19 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 14 |
| Seats | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 11 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 7 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 22; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 19; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 14; Seats: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 11; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 176 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 98 |
| 1996 | 72 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 98; 1996: 72; 2000: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 48 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 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 958237 · 1995-01-04 (January 4, 1995)
ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED AT LEAST TWICE SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958237 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975884 · 1995-12-01 (December 1, 1995)
WET AND ICY ROAD WHEN APPLY THE BRAKE TRUCK SLIDS HAVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975884 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 977870 · 1996-01-19 (January 19, 1996)
STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE, THE BOLTS THAT HOLD WHEEL IN PLACE ARE COMING OFF AND CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING WHILE DRIVING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 977870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962306 · 1995-03-21 (March 21, 1995)
VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL NUT HAS BEEN TIGHTENED 3 TIMES. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958962 · 1995-01-20 (January 20, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING NOTICE POWER LOSS, NOTICE WHITE AND BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN FIRE, POSSIBLE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE IN AUTO TRAN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 982408 · 1996-04-08 (April 8, 1996)
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO TRANSMISSION FULID LEAKING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 982408 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 965333 · 1995-05-15 (May 15, 1995)
EXPERIENCE FUEL TANK LEAK, IN FOR REPAIR NO HOLE UNDER THE STRAPING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965333 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973947 · 1995-10-26 (October 26, 1995)
RUBBER SHIELD AROUND GAS TANK IS GATHERING DEBRIS DEVELOPING MOISTURE. BOTH TANKS ARE PACKED W/DIRT, RUST, ONE TANK LEAKING. TT AFTER REMOVED OF PLASTIC GUARDS, BOTH TANKS NOW LEAK. THIS BECOME DANGEROUS IF GAS SPILLS AROUND THE CATALATICE CONVERTER. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802650 · 1996-09-19 (September 19, 1996)
FUEL PUMP INJECTOR FAILURE, WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING. *AK DEALER HAS REPLACED THE INJECTION PUMP THREE TIMES, HOWEVERTHE STALLING PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, DEALER CAN NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802650 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976097 · 1995-12-05 (December 5, 1995)
THE ENGINE STALLS WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVING 65 MPH. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976097 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979908 · 1996-02-29 (February 29, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SHORT, ALTERNTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING,UNDER THE HOOD FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 982225 · 1996-06-17 (June 17, 1996)
BRAKE LIGHT; ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE BRAKE LIGHT UNIT, THE SWITCH IS BROKEN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 982225 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 |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 0 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
1985: 0; 1986: 1; 1987: 0; 1988: 0; 1989: 0; 1990: 1; 1991: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0