1990 Chevrolet C1500 Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 160,000miles, 5 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, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 18 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Chevrolet C1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet C1500. The part named most often is brakes, with 7 complaints (32% of the total), followed by seat belts (3) and fuel system (2). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 160,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the anchorage 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.
- Brakes7 32%
- Seat belts3 14%
- Fuel system2 9.1%
- Seats2 9.1%
- Steering2 9.1%
- Body and structure2 9.1%
- Engine cooling1 4.5%
- Equipment1 4.5%
- Exterior lighting1 4.5%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Driving on city street at approx 30 MPH, stop light changed to red as I approached. Was close to intersection, pressed hard on brake pedal and it started slowing vehicle, then after about .5 seconds, pedal went to floor with minimal braking at that point. Did not lose control of vehicle, as speed was low enough that what was left of the hydralic system stopped vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10080463, filed 2004-07, 177,245 milesSeat belts: “Driver's seat belt does not buckle prperly.which won't protect the occupant in event of a crash. Dealer will replace seat belt system at the owner's expense. Please provide further information and VIN#.”
NHTSA complaint #841534, filed 1999-07Fuel system: “1990 chevy C1500 1/2 ton stepside pickup truck. General grabber ap tires. Size 235/75/r15 m+s made in mexico other numbers on tire:ok-47410 p5501 25855 021943. 147,300 miles on vehicle when left rear tire blew out at approximately 70mph. Tread separation caused significant damage to truck, ripping fender mounts off in 4 places, tearing the fuel filler neck from fuel door opening and tearing off the gas cap. Fiberglass on bottom of stepside fender was heavily damaged. Truck was in otherwise good operating condition. …”
NHTSA complaint #10199007, filed 2007-08, 147,300 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 147,300 and 177,245 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 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 | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| C1500 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| C1500 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| C1500 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| C1500 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 19 | 15 | $4,450 |
| C1500 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 14 | 15 | 14 | $4,800 |
| C1500 Pickup 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| C1500 Pickup 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| C1500 Pickup 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed manual | 11 | 13 | 12 | $5,600 |
| C1500 Pickup 2WD | 7.4L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 9 | 10 | 9 | $7,450 |
| C1500 Pickup 2WD | 6.2L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $5,300 |
| C1500 Pickup 2WD | 6.2L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed manual | 17 | 20 | 18 | $5,300 |
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, 1990Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: 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 1990 Chevrolet C1500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 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 1990 Chevrolet C1500 have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet C1500 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Chevrolet C1500 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 7 complaints (32% of the total), followed by seat belts with 3.
Has the 1990 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 1990 Chevrolet C1500 get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Chevrolet C1500 (C1500 Pickup 2WD, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 18 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 1990 Chevrolet C1500 reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 160,000 miles and the middle half falls between 147,300 and 177,245 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 30, 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.