Total Complaints
39 filings
CHEVROLET C1500 · model year
1989 CHEVROLET C1500
39 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1989CHEVROLETC1500 carries 39 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1989 C1500 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 6 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder (3) and exterior lighting:brake lights (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1989 C1500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
39
Complaints
2
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 3 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| STEERING:COLUMN | 2 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20081230EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR
Mileage: 109,954
20061205FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1989 CHEVROLET C-1500 CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. *NM
Mileage: 180,000
20040824EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED TWICE, CONSUMER FOUND ON THE NHTSA WEB PAGE, MANY CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
20020920VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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
20020821SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR. HAD BRAKES CHECKED, AND WORKED ON, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
20010625SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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 THE TRUCK CAME WITH THE "TOWING PACKAGE" AND THE TRAILER IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC BRAKES). *AK
20010625SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
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 THE TRUCK CAME WITH THE "TOWING PACKAGE" AND THE TRAILER IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC BRAKES). *AK
20001018SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
STOPPING ON SLIPPERY SURFACE IS POOR! FRONT WHEELS LOCK UP AND REAR WHEELS FREE-WHEEL. DEALER SAYS SYSTEM OK.*AK
20000823TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WAS DRIVING 70MPH WHEN FELT SOMETHING HITTING THE UNDERBODY OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE STARTED TO SWERVE. VEHICLE WAS CONTROLLABLE. PULLED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD & STOPPED. NOTICED TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE LEFT REAR TIRE. THE TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED & HAD NOT BLOWN. DURALON RADIAL BAJA WHITE TRACK P235/75R15 WITH 25,000 MILES, DOT VDHLFOX. A GENERIC BRAND. ON A 1989 CHEVEROLT TRUCK C1500.*AK DURALON P235/75/R15 *MW
20000123EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
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
19990824STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
1ST TIME STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND MECHANIC TIGHTEN IT UP (HE STATED THAT HE HAD DONE THIS TO SEVERAL VEHICAL OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL). THE SECOND TIME IT CAME LOOSE ( ABOUT 4 MONTHS LATER) BEFORE I COULD GET IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC, THE COLUMN BROKE WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN IN AN INTERSECTION, SHUTING OFF THE MOTOR CAUSING ME TO HAVE TROUBLE STOPPING THE VEHICAL. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW THE POLICE HAD TO DIRECT TRAFFIC AROUND ME.
19990605EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON WHEN PEDAL WAS RELEASED. CAUSED MULTIPLE BULB REPLACEMENTS ALONG WITH 4 BATTERIES. THE PAINT ON THE BODY HAS STARTED TO PEEL TWO YEARS AGO. IT WAS SMALL IN NATURE BUT LAST YEAR REALLY STARTED TO EXPAND. IN TALKING WITH A DEALER ABOUT REPAINTING THE PICK-UP, HE INDICATED THAT THE TIME TO BE REPAINTED WAS OVER BY THE MANUFACTURE. WHY DID GM/CHEVROLET NOT SEND ANY INFORMATION OUT ON EITHER OF THESE PROBLEMS TO OWNERS? I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY 89 WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM UNTIL TALKING WITH SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS. THE PAINT PROBLEM I HAD SEEN ON OTHER CARS BUT AGAIN DID NOT KNOW OF ANY COMPANY PROGRAM OR THAT IT HAD EXPIRED. *AK
19990604UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHITE PAINT IS PEELING FROM THE GRAY PRIMER THROUGH OUT THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK
19990524POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE AND OTHER PARTS MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, THE SHIFTER MALFUNCTIONED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
19990524POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR
CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE AND OTHER PARTS MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, THE SHIFTER MALFUNCTIONED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
19981222EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LIGHTS SHORTING OUT DUE TO DEFECTIVE SOCKETS. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK
19981109CrashSTEERING:COLUMN
TILT STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, COULD NOT MOVE, CAUSING ACCIDENT AND SEVERE INJURIES. *AK
19980716CrashSEAT BELTS
DURING REAR IMPACT AT 40 TO 45 MPH, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK. *AK SEAT BELTS DID NOT PREVENT DRIVER AND PASENGER FROM BEING THROWN FORWARD RESULTING IN FACE AND LEG INJURY. *YD
19980407SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
19980323SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELTS FAILED.
Compare 1989CHEVROLETC1500 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1989 CHEVROLET C1500 have?▼
The 1989 CHEVROLET C1500 has 39 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 CHEVROLET C1500?▼
The most-complained component for the 1989 CHEVROLET C1500 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER and EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS.
Is the 1989 CHEVROLET C1500 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.