Chevrolet 1500 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 247 consumer complaints across the 7 model years of the Chevrolet 1500 (1988–1996) that have at least 5 complaints. 1995 has the most, with 134. Across all years, the part named most often is visibility (114 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 1500 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 20 | 100,825 | 0 | 2 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 134 | 120,000 | 0 | 2 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 44 | 80,000 | 0 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 14 | 116,600 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 20 | 70,000 | 0 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 7 | 98,000 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 8 | 60,000 | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)114 50%
- Seats32 14%
- Brakes29 13%
- Air bags18 8.0%
- Tires11 4.9%
- Seat belts8 3.5%
- Fuel system8 3.5%
- Steering6 2.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1996: “I just bought this truck on craigslist and when I got it home it wouldn't back up or shift in to second gear right so I am having the tranny rebuilt now whit a master rebuild kit and new sun shell and new torque converter.”
NHTSA complaint #10505017, filed 2013-03, 220,563 miles1994: “Windshield wiper work only when they choose --have checked and recall not available for my 1994 Chevrolet fullsize p\u they have stopped several times while driveing at highway speeds causing danger to me and my family as well as others on the highway. This is a serious problem that needs attention.”
NHTSA complaint #10051196, filed 2003-12, 172,000 miles1995: “While stopped in my 1995 Chevrolet silverado 4 wheel drive pickup (short bed, step side) I was re-ended by an SUV (pathfinder) doing approximately 45mph. The truck bed crashed into the cab and and dented it. The driver seat broke, frame bent, etc. The airbag did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10000724, filed 2003-01, 120,000 milesOther Chevrolet models
19,366 complaintsChevrolet Silverado 1500
18,111 complaintsChevrolet Impala
10,408 complaintsChevrolet Tahoe
10,060 complaintsChevrolet Equinox
9,208 complaintsChevrolet Silverado
8,790 complaintsChevrolet Blazer
8,199 complaintsChevrolet Suburban
8,170 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology