CHEVROLET SILVERADO · model year

1989 CHEVROLET SILVERADO

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

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1989CHEVROLETSILVERADO carries 24 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 3 fires, 1 injury, 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 SILVERADO is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 4 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (2) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder (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 1989 SILVERADO, 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.

24
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

24 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 SLIP4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR1
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR1

Recent Complaints

20110128SUSPENSION:REAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR AXLE U BOLTS WERE FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20040721SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

WHEN PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. THE DEALER STATES THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD FAILED. *LA *SC *JB

Mileage: 106,500

20031121FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHILE AT REPAIR SHOP FOR SERVICE MECHANIC NOTICED THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINE WAS RUSTED. LOCATION IS NEAR REAR TIRE ON DRIVER SIDE, BOTH LINES ARE CLUSTERED TOGETHER. A SECTION ABOUT 3-4 INCHES IN LENGTH IS AFFECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE VIN NUMBER UPON RECEIPT OF THIS COMPLAINT. *NLM

20030610TIRES

AT LESS THAN 10 MPH REAR DRIVER TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. 2 WEEKS LATER STEEL BELT BROKE IN BOTH FRONT TIRES AT 55 MPH.*AK

20020614TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON THE FRONT TWO TIRES AFTER LESS THAN TWO YEARS. "CUPPING ON THE BACK TWO TIRES AND POSSIBLE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION" EVEN AFTER PROPER ROTATION. TIRES WERE SOLD TO ME BY DON OLSEN TIRES PLUS OF NORTH WOODLAND BOULEVARD, DELAND, FLORIDA, AND WERE RETURNED TO THEM AND CONSEQUENTLY REPLACED. THEY SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED YOU OF THE DOT # OF THOSE TIRES AND THAT THERE WERE INHERENT DEFECTS. I AM UNSURE OF THE ACTUAL DOT #, AS I GOT THAT FROM THE REPLACEMENT TIRES, SORRY. THE REST IS CORRECT.*AK

20020211CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

DRIVER'SAND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RELEASE FROM RETRACTING MECHANISM, CAUSING SEAT BELTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

20020128SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT REAR ABS BRAKES HAVE FAILED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

20010910SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND HEARD A NOISE. RIGHT BALL JOINT BROKE . DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

20010611SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

THE ROTOR ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL RUSTED DANGEROUSLY THIN WHERE THE CENTER SECTION AND THE FRICTION PLATE MEET, AND BROKE ALMOST COMPLETELY APART WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT IS DIFFICULT TO TELL THAT IT IS RUSTED SO THIN UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, EVEN WHEN THE FRICTION PLATE THAT THE PADS CONTACT LOOKS FINE. IT BECAME BRITTLE AND CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES. I STOPPED AND TOOK THE WHEEL OFF TO INSPECT EVERYTHING, AND IT TOOK A WHILE FOR ME TO SEE THE HAIRLINE FRACTURE AROUND THE RING. THIS COULD BE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS TO SOMEONE COMING TO A STOP FROM A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE FRICTION RING COULD COME COMPLETELY LOOSE, AS MINE WAS ABOUT TO DO, AND BIND UP THE WHEEL CAUSING A SKID AND AN ACCIDENT. THE ROTOR CENTER NEEDS TO BE MADE THE SAME THICKNESS AS THE OLDER 70'S MODELS WERE TO PROVIDE MORE "MEAT" AND REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF THIS BRITTLENESS AND CRACKING WITH AGE AND RUST.

20000531ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE VALVE COVER GASKETS LEAK AND PRESENT FIRE HAZARDS. THE VALVE COVERS ARE POOR DESIGN AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE GASKETS REPLACED ALL THE TIME. THE FUEL INJECTOR LINES ARE ATTACHED TO THE VALVE COVERS AND HAVE TO BE REMOVED ALONG WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK

20000531FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

THE VALVE COVER GASKETS LEAK AND PRESENT FIRE HAZARDS. THE VALVE COVERS ARE POOR DESIGN AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE GASKETS REPLACED ALL THE TIME. THE FUEL INJECTOR LINES ARE ATTACHED TO THE VALVE COVERS AND HAVE TO BE REMOVED ALONG WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK

20000323FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS

20000323FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS

19991222SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKE SYSTEM; WHENEVER VEHICLE WOULD RUN OVER A BUMP OR A POTHOLE AT A LOW SPEED OF 35 MPH OR LESS, IT CAUSED THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK-UP AND BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR FOR A FEW SECONDS. THEN BRAKES WOULD REENGAGE BY THEMSELVES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

19990930EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER IS MELTING, CAUSING BULBS TO FALL OUT, RESULTING IN SAFTEY HAZARD. *AK

19990806SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

BELTS NOT AVAILABLE - MUST BE ORDERED IN FULL SETS ONLY AT $130 PLUS TAX. ALL WRECKING YARDS ARE SELLING THE BELTS OUT AS FAST AS THEY RECEIVE THEM. THIS MEANS THE CUSTOMER IS INSTALLING BELTS THAT CARRY THE SAME UNSAFE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE RECALL ON THESE BELTS !!!

19990803SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

REAR SEAT BELT ON THE BENCH SEAT WOULDN'T LOCK BECAUSE PLASTIC PART BROKE OFF. *AK

19990407VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

CONSUMER'S FRIEND RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A 1996 CHEVROLET. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED, AND HE'S EXPERIENCING THE EXACT DEFECTS. APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES A YEAR SINCE 1991, WINDSHIELD WIPER S WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. DEALERS SAYS THE CIRCUIT BOARD CRACKS IN THE SOLDER JOINTS, CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. *AK

19981204FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE CONSUMER STARTED SLOWING DOWN DUE TO THE FUEL INJECTION PROBLEMS. WATER IS IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, AND CONSUMER CAN SMELL FUMES IN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE IS EMITTING A LOT OF VAPORS. *AK

19980806STRUCTURE:BODY

PAINT BEGAN TO PEEL OFF BODY. CLAIMS IT IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.

Compare 1989CHEVROLETSILVERADO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1989 CHEVROLET SILVERADO have?
The 1989 CHEVROLET SILVERADO has 24 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 CHEVROLET SILVERADO?
The most-complained component for the 1989 CHEVROLET SILVERADO is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER.
Is the 1989 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 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.