1989 Chevrolet K1500 Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 112,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- 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
- 14 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 13 city / 16 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Chevrolet K1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet K1500. The part named most often is seat belts, with 3 complaints (30% of the total), followed by body and structure (3) and brakes (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 112,000 miles. 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.
- Seat belts3 30%
- Body and structure3 30%
- Brakes1 10%
- Equipment1 10%
- Other or unknown1 10%
- Tires1 10%
Example complaints
Body and structure: “The paint is flaking off of my truck at a very fast rate mostly on the hood and roof. I have known that this is a factory defect for numerous years and is a problem for most of these vehicles manufactured during this time period. But the factory has still not made this a recall item, and refuse to admit their mistake. Why?”
NHTSA complaint #10054725, filed 2004-01, 112,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 112,000 and 190,245 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Chevrolet K1500 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K1500 Pickup 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| K1500 Pickup 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| K1500 Pickup 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 14 | 16 | 15 | $4,450 |
| K1500 Pickup 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| K1500 Pickup 4WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 16 | 14 | $4,800 |
| K1500 Pickup 4WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| K1500 Pickup 4WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 11 | 13 | 12 | $5,600 |
| K1500 Pickup 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 13 | $5,150 |
| K1500 Pickup 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 11 | 16 | 13 | $5,150 |
| K1500 Pickup 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed manual | 11 | 13 | 12 | $5,600 |
| K1500 Pickup 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $5,650 |
| K1500 Pickup 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed manual | 16 | 17 | 16 | $6,000 |
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 K1500 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 K1500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Chevrolet K1500.
Other model years of the Chevrolet K1500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 94 | 111,000 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 118 | 125,000 | 0 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 100 | 101,000 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 22 | 102,000 | 0 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 16 | 166,000 | 0 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 7 | — | 1 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 10 | 112,000 | 1 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 10 | 142,169 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet K1500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Chevrolet K1500 have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet K1500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Chevrolet K1500 is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 3 complaints (30% of the total), followed by body and structure with 3.
Has the 1989 Chevrolet K1500 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 K1500 get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Chevrolet K1500 (K1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Chevrolet K1500 reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 112,000 miles and the middle half falls between 112,000 and 190,245 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 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.