Chevrolet K15 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
105 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
86,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1982 to 1996 model years. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 105 complaints (11.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 19.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 4.8% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 12 |
| Seats | 10 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 9 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 8 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 3 |
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 12; Seats: 10; Air Bags:Frontal: 9; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8; Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 4; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal: 3
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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 104 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 | 61 |
| 1996 | 35 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 61; 1996: 35; 2000: 4; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 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 503614 · 1996-04-25 (April 25, 1996)
ABS BRAKE LIGHT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960562 · 1995-02-24 (February 24, 1995)
BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER IS NO GOOD, HAVE TO PUT PEDAL TO FLOOR TO STOP. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802253 · 1996-09-11 (September 11, 1996)
SMOKE STARTED COMING AROUND TAIL LIGHTS AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE DIP STICK IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802253 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976769 · 1995-12-18 (December 18, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FLUID OVERHEATS AND IS FORCED OUT OF VENT TUBE AND CAUGHT FIRE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960340 · 1995-02-22 (February 22, 1995)
TRUCK EXPERIENCES HIGH IDLING THAT TAKES OVER WHILE DRIVEN. TRUCK STALLED REPEATEDLY THEN FIRE STARTED ON TOP OF ENGINE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501551 · 1996-01-04 (January 4, 1996)
COMPUTER SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING CAR TO STALL. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975993 · 1995-12-04 (December 4, 1995)
STEERING COLUMN LOCKS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975993 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 966024 · 1995-05-30 (May 30, 1995)
CLICKING NOISE IN STEERING DURING TURNING MANEUVERS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966024 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484346 · 1995-03-17 (March 17, 1995)
GAS TANK IN UNPROTECTED, POSING A RISK DURING ACCIDENTS. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484346 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 |
|---|---|
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
1982: 0; 1986: 1; 1988: 0; 1989: 0; 1990: 1; 1991: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0