Chevrolet C1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
296 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
109,977 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 to 1996 model years. Data snapshot: . 48 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 98 of 296 complaints (33.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 36 | 12.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 5.1% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 3.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 3.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 2.7% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 1.7% |
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 | 98 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 43 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 15 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 13 |
| Seats | 12 |
| Tires | 11 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 8 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 6 |
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 98; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 43; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 15; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 13; Seats: 12; Tires: 11; Tires:Tread/Belt: 8; Structure:Frame And Members: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 14
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 248 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 | 9 |
| 2000 | 107 |
| 2001 | 57 |
| 2002 | 31 |
| 2003 | 29 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1996: 9; 2000: 107; 2001: 57; 2002: 31; 2003: 29; 2004: 17; 2005: 12; 2006: 5; 2007: 7; 2008: 5; 2009: 4; 2010: 4; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 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 10089568 · 2004-08-24 (August 24, 2004)
THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED TWICE, CONSUMER FOUND ON THE NHTSA WEB PAGE, MANY CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10089568 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253204 · 2008-12-30 (December 30, 2008)
BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 109,954 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253204 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 732843 · 2000-09-29 (September 29, 2000)
I HAVE SPECIFIC DATES FROM REPAIR BILLS IF REQUESTED.I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS PROBLEMS W/ THE PAINT FINISH IN WHICH THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE GM WASN'T REPAIRING THE PROBLEM ANYMORE. $1200.00 TO REPAIR. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN 96' W/ 29,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS CLUNKED WHEN SHIFTING. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS OK. 92 'S SHIFT HARD NORMALLY. THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT PREMATURLY IN WHICH NOW I NEED TO REPLACE THE OIL RINGS DO TO WARPAGE. THE RADIATOR WAS A SURPRISE TO ME AND ESPECIALLY THE EXUAST SYSTEM. FOR SUCH LOW MILES AS THIS TRUCK HAS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 732843 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 744152 · 2001-04-17 (April 17, 2001)
ORIGINAL PAINT FLAKING OFF THE EXTERIOR OF TRUCK; TRANSMISSION JUMPING FROM HIGH TO LOW GEAR FOR NO REASON. ALSO WHEN TRANSMISSION GETS UNDER A LOAD(CLIMBING A SMALL HILL) THE TRANSMISSION VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY UNTILL YOU LET OFF OF THE THROTTLE. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 744152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802576 · 1996-09-18 (September 18, 1996)
THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE POWER STEERING BELT, THE TWO BOLTS BROKE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152135 · 2006-03-07 (March 7, 2006)
THE SERPENTINE ACCESSORY BELT STARTED TO FAIL. AS IT DID, PARTS OF IT WHIPPED THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE RUPTURING THE HOSE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. SHE NEEDED MY HELP TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS NOT TOTALLY BROKEN. I HAD THE OLD BELT UNDER THE SEAT SO I SWAPPED IT FOR THE BELT THAT WAS FAILING. WITH MY HELP, WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND MAKE IT TO A AUTO PARTS STORE TO REPLACE THE HOSE. THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE FAILURE OF THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152135 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 767239 · 2002-09-16 (September 16, 2002)
WIPER MOTOR SOMETIMES WORKS WHEN THE SWITCH IS NOT ON, UNTIL THE FUSE IS REMOVED OR THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VOLT GAUGE FLUCTUATES UP AND DOWN, AND THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. ALSO SOMETIMES WIPERS DON'T WORK WITH SWITCH TURNED ON. WHEN THE WIPERS DON'T MOVE WHEN THE SWITCH IS TURNED ON, THE VOLT GAUGE FLUCTUATES UP AND DOWN. THESE INSTANCES HAPPEN USUALLY DURING RAIN OR SNOW. THE TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH DELAY WIPERS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 767239 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860033 · 2000-04-10 (April 10, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING IN A HEAVY DOWNPOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR JUST STOP ALTOGETHER. CONSUMER HAS TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE AND WIGGLE THE ELECTRICAL PLUG, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL START UP. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006457 · 2001-09-16 (September 16, 2001)
GAS TANK LEAKING DUE TO CONTACT WITH RETAINING STRAPS. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL SOMETIMES ENGAGES BY ITSELF WITHOUT INPUT OR ACTION.**** DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****752237. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746623 · 2001-06-09 (June 9, 2001)
PURCHASED 1995 CHEVROLET FULL SIZE TRUCK FROM VALLEY AUTO CENTER IN 1998 SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE THE FRAME HAS BROKE 2 TIMES IN THE SAME PLACE. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS DONE 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASE, APPREARANTELY INSTEAD OF REPAIRING THEY DID MORE DAMAGE BY WELDING ON A PREHEATED THAT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE WELDED ON IN THE FIRST PLACE. DO TO THE WELDING AND POOR JUDGEMENT HERE I AM 6 MONTHS LATER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FRAME IS NOW COMPLETELY BROKE AND CAVING IN AND RUBBING AGAINST THE CAB, ASSOCIATED WITH THIS OTHER PROBLEMS HAVE ACCUMALATED SU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860578 · 2000-04-19 (April 19, 2000)
WHEN PULLING OUT FROM STOP AND GIVING VEHICLE GAS, IT WILL STALL AND SOMETIMES IT WILL QUIT, LIKE ONCE AT AN INTER SECTION. CONSUMER TOOK TO DEALER ,AND THEY WORKED ON IT. BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM , PROBLEM OCCURRED 5 TO 6 TIMES SINCE OWNER BOUGHT VEHICLE BRAND NEW. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 861682 · 2000-05-10 (May 10, 2000)
BRAKE VACUUM IS LEAKING FLUID FROM THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER BRAKES, AND MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP VEHICLE WITHOUT APPLYING GREAT FROCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 861682 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 |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
1988: 0; 1989: 1; 1990: 1; 1991: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0