Chevrolet K25 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
41 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 to 1996 model years. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 41 complaints (17.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 36.6% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 7.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate | 2 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 7; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 4; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Structure:Body:Tailgate: 2
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. 41 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 | 25 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 25; 1996: 11; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 727336 · 2000-08-09 (August 9, 2000)
CASING PEELED FROM TIRE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. CASING BECAME ENTAGLED AROUND REAR AXLE, HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE. PRESSURE ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE CAUSED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BE ACTIVATED. ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT WITH FOUR OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES ON INTERSTATE 5. TIME OF OCCURENCE WAS 6 A. M. TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED THE EVENING BEFORE FOR PROPER INFLATION AS PART OF TRIP PREPARATION. TRIP WAS PLANNED FOR 700 MILES. TIRE FAILED AT 60 MILES INTO THE TRIP. CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL STOPPE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 727336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958325 · 1995-01-06 (January 6, 1995)
REAR BRAKE LAMP/SIGNAL DOESN'T ILLUMINATE DUE TO PLATE MELTING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958325 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801204 · 1996-08-22 (August 22, 1996)
SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON, OPERATOR EXPERIENCES DRAMATIC LOSS OF POWER. CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801204 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968638 · 1995-07-12 (July 12, 1995)
WHEN DRIVING TRUCK STALL IT DIESEL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968638 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 751265 · 2001-08-28 (August 28, 2001)
AFTER LOOKING AT: HTTP://THECOMPLAINTSTATION.COM/G/GM_TOC.HTM#000001E3 , IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE DEFECTIVE GM TRANSMISSION HAS STRANDED MANY OTHERS BESIDES MYSELF. SO FAR THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY INJURY OR DEATHS REPORTED HERE BUT I SEE HOW ONE COULD BE STRANDED IN AN SUV IN A VERY BAD SITUATION! IN MY CASE THE DEALER FOUND THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE TRANS BEFORE I GOT BROKE DOWN ON THE BEACH SOMEWHERE WITH AN INCOMMING TIDE! GM SEEMS TO THINK THAT IT IS REASONABLE TO REPLACE THIS TRANSMISSION 4 TIMES ON MY TRUCK BUT, LIKE THE OTHERS ON THE WEBS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751265 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970221 · 1995-08-11 (August 11, 1995)
TRUCK POPS OUT OF GEAR & HAVE TO TAKE FOOT OFF GAS BEFORE TRANSMISSION CHANGE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 567110 · 2002-08-13 (August 13, 2002)
AFTER VEHICLE WOULD SIT FOR 2 OR MORE DAYS, IT WOULD CRANK A LONG TIME, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 567110 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 881076 · 2001-02-22 (February 22, 2001)
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WITHIN HEAD LIGHT AND TAIL LIGHT BURNED OUT INSTALLATION, CAUSING INSUFFICIENT LIGHTING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WIRING FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS IS TOO SMALL, WHEN TOWING A TRAILER, THE WIRING IS INADEQUATE TO HANDLE EXTRA LIGHTS, THE WIRES AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ARE CHARGED FROM GETTING TOO HOT, CONSUMER FEELS WIRING NEEDS TO BE HEAVIER OR ON RELAYS TO SUPPORT THE TRAILER LIGHTS. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 881076 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 |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
1986: 1; 1988: 0; 1989: 0; 1990: 1; 1991: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0