CHEVROLET K1500 · model year

1992 CHEVROLET K1500

18 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992CHEVROLETK1500 carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 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 1992 K1500 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 2 filings, followed by tires:tread/belt (2) and seats (2). 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 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.

18
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

18 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
TIRES:TREAD/BELT2
SEATS2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK1
EQUIPMENT1
TIRES1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
SEAT BELTS1

Recent Complaints

20140411SEATS

I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT. THE DEALER CLAIM THEY WOULD FIX IT. BUT THEY DID NOT FIX IT CORRECTLY AND I STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. THE SEATS JUST UNLOCK WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING AND SLIDE AROUND FREELY, NOT HELD IN PLACE WHILE THE TRUCK IS IN OPERATION. RESULTS HAVE CAUSED WHIPLASH AND PERSONAL BACK STRAIN. THIS OCCURS AT RANDOM. THE DEALERSHIP AND GENERAL MOTORS REFUSED TO CORRECT THEIR FAILED REPAIR AND DAMAGE TO SEATS AND SEATBELTS. I WENT TO THE GMC DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE SEATBELTS REPAIRED AND THEY ARE FAILING AGAIN. VERY POOR DESIGN. THE SEATBELTS START FRAYING IMMEDIATELY AND WILL FAIL AGAIN. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SEATS AND SEATBELTS NEED TO BE CORRECTED. *JS

20140411SEAT BELTS

I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT. THE DEALER CLAIM THEY WOULD FIX IT. BUT THEY DID NOT FIX IT CORRECTLY AND I STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. THE SEATS JUST UNLOCK WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING AND SLIDE AROUND FREELY, NOT HELD IN PLACE WHILE THE TRUCK IS IN OPERATION. RESULTS HAVE CAUSED WHIPLASH AND PERSONAL BACK STRAIN. THIS OCCURS AT RANDOM. THE DEALERSHIP AND GENERAL MOTORS REFUSED TO CORRECT THEIR FAILED REPAIR AND DAMAGE TO SEATS AND SEATBELTS. I WENT TO THE GMC DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE SEATBELTS REPAIRED AND THEY ARE FAILING AGAIN. VERY POOR DESIGN. THE SEATBELTS START FRAYING IMMEDIATELY AND WILL FAIL AGAIN. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SEATS AND SEATBELTS NEED TO BE CORRECTED. *JS

20110129FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 1992 CHEVY P\U CAUGHT ON FIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER BEING PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. *LN

Mileage: 176,460

20100717TIRES

FOUR 265/75-16 PATHFINDER RADIAL ATR TIRES ARE ON A 1992 CHEVY K1500 PICKUP. ON 7-16-2010 ONE FRONT TIRE HAD ALMOST TOTAL TREAD SEPARATION AFTER A 25 MINUTE DRIVE AT 25-35 MPH -- ALL CITY DRIVING WITH NO LOAD. THE TRUCK WAS ABLE TO PULL OUT OF TRAFFIC SAFELY. A SECOND, REAR TIRE NOW SHOWS SIGNS OF IMPENDING FAILURE WITH 1/4 INCH CRACKS WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES WITH PROPER INFLATION PRESSURE. TWO TIRES OUT OF FOUR OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR DEFECT AND VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

20090716EQUIPMENT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CHEVROLET K1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABLE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE WAS CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE FELL FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,756. UPDATED 08/04/09 *BF UPDATED 08/06/09.*JB

Mileage: 138,756

20070801TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CHEVROLET K1500. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE DUELER APT III, SIZE LT225/75R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE AND WITHIN 45 DAYS OF EACH OTHER. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE AND THE RUBBER WAS CRACKED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,138 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

Mileage: 166,000

20041221CrashSERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

ABS SYSTEM LOCKED DURING TURN IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS, CAUSING TRUCK TO SWERVE OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT TREE.*AK

Mileage: 195,700

20020625SEATS

SEAT RISER ON VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO RAISE THE SEAT.*AK. CONSUMER SATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEATS, AND THE SEAT RAISER WAS WORKING BEFORE THE DEALER PERFORMED THE REPAIRS.*JB

20010601SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

LEFT BRAKE ROTOR HAD SEPARATED FROM HUB WHILE DRIVING. HAD APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE HAD PULLED SEVERELY TO RIGHT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. BRAKES W ERE INSPECTED BY MECHANIC, AND FOUND OUT THEY HAD BROKEN. ROTORS COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. *AK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED BUT NOT AT DEALER, THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 92C34 AT 43000 MILES, THE CORROSION PROTECTED ROTORS FAILED AT 105000 MILES, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE ROTORS WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED IF THEY WERE SOLID (1 PIECE) ROTORS. NLM

20010423TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TIRE TREAD PEELED , RESULTING IN MOMENTARY LOSS OF VEHICHLE CONTROL . NO ACCIDENT RESULTED , HOWEVER , EXTENSIVE VEHICHLE DAMAGE RESULTED FROM THIS INCIDENT . UNKNOWN (TO ME) , IF ANY TIRE RECALLS EXIST ON THIS TIRE .*AK (DOT NUMBER: MKOR ABOV TIRESIZE: 235-85/R16)

20001004VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

ALL OF A SUDDEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING IN MIDDLE OF OPERATION. SOMETIMES WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON, AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT. IF DRIVER TAPS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD OPERATION CONTINUES FOR A WHILE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. OWNER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN ON WINDSHIELD WIPER WIRING DUE TO VIN. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.*AK

20000623UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY 1992 K1500 CHEVY Z71 PICKUP IS SUFFERING FROM EXTENSIVE PEELING PAINT, NOTABLY ON THE DOOR FRAMES AND ROOF. IT BEGAN OCCURING IN APRIL 1997, 5 YEARS AFTER ITS PURCHASE. SINCE THIS IS COMMON AMONG GM VEHICLES DUE TO THEIR DEFECTIVE PRIMER, I FEEL THEY SHOULD PAY. I PLAN TO SUE AND ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THIS PROBLEM YOU CAN EMAIL OR MAIL ME WOULD BE APPRECIATED. NO SAFETY DEFECT DISCUSSED IN SUMMARY. *AK

20000217STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE PAINT ON THE TRUCK IS PEELING OFF. MOST NOTABLY IT IS OCCURING ON THE DOOR FRAMES AND ON THE TOP ROOF EDGES. IT IS BEGINNING TO SHOW MINOR RUST AND THE PRIMER IS CLEARLY VISIBLE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS AND I BELIEVE A DEFECTIVE PRIMER WAS USED. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU HAD ANY INFORMATION YOU COULD SEND ME THROUGH MAIL OR ELECTRONIC MAIL REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND OTHER INSTANCES WHERE IT HAS OCCURED. ANY DOCUMENTS ON LAW SUITS FILED ON THIS SUBJECT WITH ANY GM CAR WOULD BE APPRECIATED AS I PLAN TO GO TO COURT OVER IT. THANK YOU. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

19990217ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

GOING ON HIGHWAY SPEED (55MPH), WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED OUT. CALLED DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED PROBLEM. IT CAN'T BE DUPLICATED. DEALER NEEDS TRUCK WHEN STALLING OCCURS. ITS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK *NLM

19980220SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKES FAILED, PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR.

19980220POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

19971103SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

OWNER CLAIMS THAT WHEN HE APPLIES THE BRAKES THE BRAKES SLIP BEFORE STOPPING THE TRUCK FULLY. *AK

19970204SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ALARM ACTUATOR IS BROKEN AND DRIVER CANNOT BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT OR THERE IS A FALSE SENSE OF BUCKLING. BUCKLE WAS REPAIRED BY OWNER. *AK

Compare 1992CHEVROLETK1500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 CHEVROLET K1500 have?
The 1992 CHEVROLET K1500 has 18 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 CHEVROLET K1500?
The most-complained component for the 1992 CHEVROLET K1500 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES:TREAD/BELT and SEATS.
Is the 1992 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.