1989 Chevrolet C1500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
144,977 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 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 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 40.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 10.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump: 1
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 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
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: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 8 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 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1996: 1; 2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
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 10175390 · 2006-12-01 (December 1, 2006)
1989 CHEVROLET C-1500 CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10175390 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 717745 · 2000-01-23 (January 23, 2000)
THE SCISSOR JACK BROKE WHILE VEHICLE WAS JACKED UP. IT WAS IMPROPERLY DESIGNED OR PUT TOGETHER. THE SWIVEL PART ON THE TOP, SWIVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK AND ALLOWED THE TRUCK TO FALL. THE GEARS DO NOT FIT TOGETHER CORRECTLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 733636 · 2000-10-06 (October 6, 2000)
STOPPING ON SLIPPERY SURFACE IS POOR! FRONT WHEELS LOCK UP AND REAR WHEELS FREE-WHEEL. DEALER SAYS SYSTEM OK.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 733636 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 747178 · 2001-06-20 (June 20, 2001)
THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DEPLOYS WHEN TOWING A TRAILER AND BRAKING. THIS "MOVES A BLOCK" IN THE MASTER CYLINDER, ACCORDING TO A MECHANIC, WHICH THEN DISABLES THE FRONT BRAKES UNTIL A MECHANIC RESETS IT. I THE MEAN TIME, THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE OF THE EVENT, AND IS OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH THE 1/2 OF THE BRAKES DISABLED, CAUSING UNEVEN AND INADEQUATE BRAKING, AND EXTREME WEAR ON THE REMAINING BRAKES. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WITH THE ANIT LOCK BRAKE DEVICE ON THE MASTER CYLINDER, AND THE ADDED WEIGHT OF A TRAILER WHEN BRAKING. (EVEN THOUGH …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 747178 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 8016885 · 2002-08-21 (August 21, 2002)
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR. HAD BRAKES CHECKED, AND WORKED ON, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8016885 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
90V170000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1990-09-17 (September 17, 1990)
TRUCKS CAN CONTAIN INCORRECT INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PROPERLY ADJUST REAR SEAT LAP-SHOULDER BELTS AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 209.
Consequence: INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED SEAT BELT WOULD NOT PROPERLYRESTRAIN OCCUPANT IN AN ACCIDENT OF SUDDEN STOP; TRUCKS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITHFMVSS 209.
Remedy: PROVIDE OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING THE CORRECT REAR LAP-SHOULDER BELT INSTRUCTIONS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗