1986 Chevrolet C10 Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 16 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 17 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Chevrolet C10 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet C10. The part named most often is fuel system, with 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (2) and seat belts (1). Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system4 57%
- Seat belts1 14%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “Started to smell gas and discovered that the gas tank supports had rusted throughand caused the gas tank to come loose/vibrate which rubbed a hole in the tank.”
NHTSA complaint #800015, filed 1996-09Transmission and drivetrain: “My 1986 chevy 1/2 ton pu truck caught fire while travelling down the interstate at 65 MPH with me and my 71 year old father in it. I am convinced the problem was caused by the transmission overheating and pressure blowing the fluid out the dipstick tube. At the time we were pulling a boat (18' pontoon boat) down alabama interstate 65 south when we heard several explosions underneath the vehicle. It was approx. 4:45 am on 6/18/99. …”
NHTSA complaint #708488, filed 1999-07Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Chevrolet C10 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 18 | 17 | $3,950 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed manual | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,200 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed manual | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,200 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed manual | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 3-speed manual | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed manual | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
2 more EPA-rated versions are not shown.
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 87V043000Apr 1, 1987Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation componentsCovers: Chevrolet C10 1985–1986, GMC C15 1985–1986
Improper size rear brake assemblies were installed.
Recall details for the 1986 Chevrolet C10 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Chevrolet C10.
Other model years of the Chevrolet C10
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 7 | — | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 16 | 134,650 | 6 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 40 | 73,810 | 7 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 20 | 80,000 | 11 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 9 | 50,000 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 9 | — | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 7 | — | 5 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 7 | — | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 7 | — | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Chevrolet C10 have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet C10 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Chevrolet C10 is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 2.
Has the 1986 Chevrolet C10 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Chevrolet C10 get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Chevrolet C10 (C10 Pickup 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 15 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.