Total Complaints
11 filings
CHEVROLET K1500 · model year
1988 CHEVROLET K1500
11 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1988CHEVROLETK1500 carries 11 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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 1988 K1500 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 4 filings, followed by tires (2) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (1). 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 1988 K1500, 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.
11
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 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 | 4 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20140402ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 CHEVROLET K1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WARMING UP THE VEHICLE, THE KEY SLIPPED OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING ALTHOUGH THE KEY WAS NO LONGER IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,169 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,418. UPDATED 06/17/14*LJ UPDATED 8/8/17*CN
Mileage: 142,169
20050726TIRES
ALL FOUR OF MY SEARS GUARDSMAN TRAILHANDLER AP SIZE LT265/75R16 LOAD RANGE C TIRES HAVE SEPERATED. TWO OCCURED WHILE DRIVING AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE OTHER TWO TIRES WERE VERIFIED BY BIG O TODAY THAT THEY HAVE SEPERATED AND CREATED AIR POKETS IN THE TIRES, AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A HAZARD. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. SEARS TOOK THE FIRST TIRE BACK AND PAID ME FOR THE LIFE LEFT ON THE TRED. THE FIRST TIRE DEFLATED, WHILE THE LAST THREE ARE STILL INFLATED.
20030415ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE PROBLEMS. *NLM
20000927TIRES
WHEN WE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN 1988, THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE FIRESTONES. AT ABOUT 44,000 MILES, I HAD TO REPLACE THEM DUE TO THE PEELING THAT WAS TAKING PLACE. IT HAD PEELED ENOUGH TO EXPOSE A LAYER OF WHITE UNDERNEATH. I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE SPARE TIRE, WHICH I USED ONLY ONCE. I HAVE HEARD THAT THE PROBLEMS WENT BACK TO 1991, I CONTEST THAT, IT GOES BACK TO 1988. ENCLOSING, I HAD BOUGHT GOODYEARS TO REPLACE THEM, AND THEY LASTED ME 56,000 MILES. FORTUNATE, I DID NOT HAVE A ACCIDENT DUE TO TIRE FAILURE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT22575R16 )
20000306SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING AND UPON MAKING A SUDDEN STOP REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, VERY LITTLE BRAKING ABILITY. ALSO EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
20000306SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHEN DRIVING AND UPON MAKING A SUDDEN STOP REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, VERY LITTLE BRAKING ABILITY. ALSO EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
20000204SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT FEELS SOFT, AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED. SOMETIMES DRIVER HAS TO STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET. *AK
19980723SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, WHENEVER BRAKE ARE USED THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP PROPERLY. THE PEDAL FEELS LIKE IT IS PRESSING DOWN ON RUBBER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP, AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. THIS CONDITION STILL REMAINS IN VEHICLE AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE. *AK
19980518VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER CORE FAILED CAUSING ANTI FREEZE AND FUMES TO LEAK INTO VEHICLE.
19970325SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES HAVE PERFORMED POORLY FOR LIFE OF VEHICLE DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
19961119SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPYING THE ABS BRAKES IN ANY TYPE OF WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BRAKES FAILED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK CONSUMER STATES BRAKE SYSTEM TAKES TOO LONG TO STOP VEHILCE, MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT THEY REFUSE TO CORRECT IT.*JB
Compare 1988CHEVROLETK1500 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 1988 CHEVROLET K1500 have?▼
The 1988 CHEVROLET K1500 has 11 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1988 CHEVROLET K1500?▼
The most-complained component for the 1988 CHEVROLET K1500 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS.
Is the 1988 CHEVROLET K1500 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.