Chevrolet C1500Model year report

1989 Chevrolet C1500 Problems

Complaints: 33filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 144,977miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 1campaigns on record
Trend: StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating: —overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy: 15 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 16 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Chevrolet C1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet C1500. The part named most often is brakes, with 8 complaints (24% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (5) and exterior lighting (4). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 144,977 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “The anti lock brake system deploys when towing a trailer and braking. This moves a block in the master cylinder, according to a mechanic, which then disables the front brakes until a mechanic resets it. I the mean time, the driver is unaware of the event, and is operating the vehicle with the 1/2 of the brakes disabled, causing uneven and inadequate braking, and extreme wear on the remaining brakes. The problem seems to be with the anit lock brake device on the master cylinder, and the added weight of a trailer when braking. …”

NHTSA complaint #747178, filed 2001-06

Transmission and drivetrain: “When stopping there is a noise in the transmission . Consumer states when taking taking foot off of the brake, a clunking noise comes from the rear end with jerking motion, Chevrolet states the problem is a bushing and another dealer states there are spline gears that need to be lubed with a specialized lubricant.”

NHTSA complaint #804328, filed 1996-10

Exterior lighting: “Brake lights would stay on when pedal was released. Caused multiple bulb replacements along with 4 batteries. The paint on the body has started to peel two years ago. It was small in nature but last year really started to expand. In talking with a dealer about repainting the pick-up, he indicated that the time to be repainted was over by the manufacture. Why did GM/Chevrolet not send any information out on either of these problems to owners? I thought it was just my 89 with the brake light problem until talking with several other owners. …”

NHTSA complaint #707238, filed 1999-06

Seat belts: “During rear impact at 40 to 45 MPH, the driver's and passenger's side seat belts did not lock. Seat belts did not prevent driver and pasenger from being thrown forward resulting in face and leg injury.”

NHTSA complaint #825479, filed 1998-07

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 109,954 and 180,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 144,977 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1989 Chevrolet C1500 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
C1500 Pickup 2WD	4.3L 6-cyl	5-speed manual	15	22	18	$3,700
C1500 Pickup 2WD	4.3L 6-cyl	4-speed automatic	15	20	17	$3,950
C1500 Pickup 2WD	4.3L 6-cyl	4-speed manual	16	20	17	$3,950
C1500 Pickup 2WD	4.3L 6-cyl	3-speed automatic	15	16	15	$4,450
C1500 Pickup 2WD	5.0L 8-cyl	4-speed automatic	13	19	15	$4,450
C1500 Pickup 2WD	5.0L 8-cyl	5-speed manual	13	19	15	$4,450
C1500 Pickup 2WD	5.0L 8-cyl	3-speed automatic	13	14	13	$5,150
C1500 Pickup 2WD	5.7L 8-cyl	4-speed automatic	14	18	15	$4,450
C1500 Pickup 2WD	5.7L 8-cyl	4-speed manual	12	16	14	$4,800
C1500 Pickup 2WD	5.7L 8-cyl	5-speed manual	12	18	14	$4,800
C1500 Pickup 2WD	6.2L 8-cyl · diesel	4-speed automatic	17	23	19	$5,050
C1500 Pickup 2WD	6.2L 8-cyl · diesel	4-speed manual	16	18	17	$5,650

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

90V170000Sep 17, 1990
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Covers: Chevrolet C1500 1989–1990, GMC C1500 1989–1990, K1500 1989–1990 +9 more
Trucks can contain incorrect instructions on how to properly adjust rear seat lap-shoulder belts as required by fmvss 209.

Recall details for the 1989 Chevrolet C1500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Chevrolet C1500.

Other model years of the Chevrolet C1500

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
1996	229	76,700	0	—	16	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1995	209	114,750	0	—	14	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1994	152	120,000	0	—	15	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1993	64	141,000	0	—	15	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1992	41	149,755	0	—	15	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1991	39	81,556	0	—	15	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1990	22	160,000	1	—	15	—	Stable
1989	33	144,977	1	—	15	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1988	32	179,875	0	—	—	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable

All Chevrolet C1500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Chevrolet C1500 have?

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet C1500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1989 Chevrolet C1500 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 8 complaints (24% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 5.

Has the 1989 Chevrolet C1500 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 1989 Chevrolet C1500 get?

The EPA rates the 1989 Chevrolet C1500 (C1500 Pickup 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 15 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Chevrolet C1500 reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 144,977 miles and the middle half falls between 109,954 and 180,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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.