CHEVROLET C1500 · model year

1992 CHEVROLET C1500

48 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992CHEVROLETC1500 carries 48 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 4 fires, 4 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 1992 C1500 is visibility:windshield wiper/washer with 7 filings, followed by visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor (6) and power train:automatic transmission (4). 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 1992 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.

48
Complaints
4
Crashes
4
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

48 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER7
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR6
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
SEATS2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER2
TIRES2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS1

Recent Complaints

20090501SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

I HAVE A 92 CHEVY C 1500 . MY LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE. AND THANK GOD NOBODY GOT HURT. SO I HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINT AND THE TIE ROD. IT COST ME $500.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. CAN CHEVY PAY ME BACK $500.00 FOR THIS PROBLEM? *TR

Mileage: 149,755

20081215STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

JUST BOUGHT THIS 1992 CHEVROLET P/U C1500, VERY GOOD LOOKING TRUCK AND BODY IN GREAT SHAPE BUT FOUND THAT THE FRAME DIRECTLY UNDER THE FRONT OF THE DOOR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRUCK ARE ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED INTO. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE FRAME AT A COST OF APPROX. 2000 DOLLARS. *TR

Mileage: 202,000

20080701TIRES

DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND SIDE/TOP OF TIRE (SECTION) CAME OFF. *TR

20040302VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, MANUALLY MOVING THEM WITH HAND SOMETIMES GETS THEM WORKING AGAIN. ON-GOING PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 70,550

20030114CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGES CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.DEALER NOTIFIED.

20020514VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING WIPER FAILURE DURING HARD RAIN. *JG

20020426VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING WIPER FAILURE DURING HARD RAIN. *JG

20010606CrashSEATS

AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT DRIVER'S SEAT BECAME UNDONE, THROWING CONSUMER INTO STEERING WHEEL. *AK SEAT BACK AND HEAD REST CAME FORWARD AND CAUSED SEVERE BRUISING OF CHEST MUSCLES AND BONE STRUCTURE, HEAD WAS THROWN INTO STEERING WHEEL CAUSING MOUTH TO STRIKE CAUSING BAD CUTS AND BRUISES TO LOWER LIP, NECK AND HEAD INJURIES ARE YET UNDIAGNOSED, SEAT BOLT STRIPPED OUT OF THE NUT ON THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE CAUSING DRIVER TO BE INJURED FROM MOMENTUM OF SEAT. *SLC

20010606CrashSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT DRIVER'S SEAT BECAME UNDONE, THROWING CONSUMER INTO STEERING WHEEL. *AK SEAT BACK AND HEAD REST CAME FORWARD AND CAUSED SEVERE BRUISING OF CHEST MUSCLES AND BONE STRUCTURE, HEAD WAS THROWN INTO STEERING WHEEL CAUSING MOUTH TO STRIKE CAUSING BAD CUTS AND BRUISES TO LOWER LIP, NECK AND HEAD INJURIES ARE YET UNDIAGNOSED, SEAT BOLT STRIPPED OUT OF THE NUT ON THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE CAUSING DRIVER TO BE INJURED FROM MOMENTUM OF SEAT. *SLC

20010424VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65-70MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. COULD NOT GET WIPERS TO TURN BACK ON. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WIPE WINDSHIELD OFF. THIS HAS OCCURED MANY TIMES SINCE AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THE WIPER MOTORS ON THIE YEAR TRUCK(1992).*AK

20010424POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

20001226SEAT BELTS

SEATBELTS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER IN 1996 FREE OF CHARG. CURRENTLY, THEY ARE WORN OUT AGAIN IN SAME PLACE. *AK THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE TO THE FLOOR FAILED. *YH

20001120TIRES:TREAD/BELT

WIDETRACK BAJA AT TIRE (30 X 9.5R15 LT M/S) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING MANUFACTURER TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES. *SLC

20001107TIRES

THE LEFT REAR WIDETRACK BAJA AT (30X9.5R15LT M/S) TIRE EXPERIENCED BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WANTS THE MANUFACTURER TO REPLACE ALL TIRES. *MJS

20001026SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

ABOUT 2.5 YEARS AGO MY FRONT SEAT BELTS BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ON BOTH SIDES WILL "NOT" ENGAGE. SIMPLY PUT THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT PROVIDE RESISTANCE TO ANY FORWARD MOMENTUM. I CONTACTED SEVERAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA AND WAS GIVEN THE SAME ANSWER BY ALL. THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS AT MY EXPENSE. I LATER CALLED GENERAL MOTORS AND REPORTED MY PROBLEM TO THEM. THE LADY I SPOKE WITH SAID THAT SINCE MY TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THERE WAS NOTHING SHE COULD DO. I INSISTED TO HER THAT IF I WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT I WOULD HAVE NO PROTECTION. SHE STILL INSISTED THAT THIS WAS MY PROBLEM AND NOT GEN. MTRS. AFTER A FRUITLESS EFFORT WITH THIS LADY, I TOLD HER OF AN 87 HONDA ACCORD THAT I HAD OWNED SOME YEARS EARLIER. ONE OF THE SEAT BELTS IN IT BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. I WENT TO THE HONDA GARAGE AND THEY WERE GLAD TO TAKE CARE OF ME. THEY SAID THAT SINCE THIS WAS A SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR IT WAS HONDA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE IT WOR

20001010POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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, THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN COSTLY AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

20001010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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, THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN COSTLY AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

20001010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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, THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN COSTLY AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

20000830CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT

WHILE DRIVING @60MPH THE UPPER A ARM PIVOT BOLT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE WHILE SLOWING DOWN THIS CAUSED A SUDDEN PULL TO THE RIGHT FOLLOWED BY A UNCONTROLLABLE HARD PULL TO THE LEFT WHICH PUT MY TRUCK IN THE CENTER OF THE DIVIDED HIWAY.....IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE THE TRUCK AT MORE THAN 15 MPH AND STILL HAVE CONTROL. AS THIS PART CANNOT BE INSPECTED WITHOUT REMOVAL OF CRITICAL ALIGNMENT CAMS AND COMPRESSION OF THE COIL SPRINGS IT IS NOT SOMETHING ANY SUSPENSION WILL NOTICE. I HAVE DROVE THIS TRUCK FOR OVER 170,000 MILES AND IT HAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AS OF THIS MORNING THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS AS IT DROVE STRAIGHT WITH NO PULL TO EITHER SIDE AND NO WANDERING. AS IT HAD NO PROBLEMS OR WARNINGS I FIND THIS VERY ALARMING AND AM THANKFULL THAT THE ROAD THAT I WAS ON AT FAILURE TIME WAS DIVIDED.......VEHICAL IS AVAL. FOR INSPECTION.....THANKS STEVE HANSON

20000623SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

REPAIR SHOP REPORTS AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM OF TRUCK'S FRONT BRAKES, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BRAKE HOSES, LINES, CALIPERS AND BRAKE PADS. ALSO, THERE IS A FAILURE OF THE REAR AXLE SEALS OF THE TRUCK, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR BRAKES. THE SHOP, SULLIVAN'S AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE OF KINGWOOD, TX, ALSO TOLD ME THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY OBSERVED FAILURE OF '91-'95 GM TRUCK REAR AXLE SEALS, WHICH AFFECTS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TRUCK'S BRAKING SYSTEM. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT IN MY VEHICLE IS APPROXIMATELY $1300. *AK

Compare 1992CHEVROLETC1500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 CHEVROLET C1500 have?
The 1992 CHEVROLET C1500 has 48 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 CHEVROLET C1500?
The most-complained component for the 1992 CHEVROLET C1500 is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1992 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.