Chevrolet K1500Model year report

1990 Chevrolet K1500 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: 14 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl 4WD/AWD · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Chevrolet K1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet K1500. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine cooling (1) and seats (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.

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.

Brakes3 43%
Engine cooling1 14%
Seats1 14%
Steering1 14%
Wheels1 14%

Example complaints

Brakes: “When applying the brakes pedal goes down excessively before the brakes kick in, especially when towing something. Owner has to almost stand on brake pedal in order to stop. Dealer has not seen vehicle. Owner has replaced most of brake assembly.”

NHTSA complaint #853465, filed 1999-11

Steering: “I noticed that the steering colomn was wobbleing from below the adjustment for the tilt wheel. As I continued to drive the vehicle over the next month the steering wheel wobbled noticeably more. The vehicle was becoming difficult to steer and control through traffic and on the highway as the steering colomn wobble increased. I took the truck to beach city Chevrolet for repairs. I was told by the repair advisor that this was a common problem with Chevrolet trucks. I feel this is could have been very dangerous condition if I had been in an accident by losing control the my vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #721268, filed 2000-04

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

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 1990 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	18	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	16	15	$4,450
K1500 Pickup 4WD	5.0L 8-cyl	4-speed automatic	13	17	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	12	14	13	$5,150
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	16	$6,000
K1500 Pickup 4WD	6.2L 8-cyl · diesel	4-speed manual	15	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, 1990
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Covers: 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 1990 Chevrolet K1500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 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 1990 Chevrolet K1500 have?

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet K1500 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1990 Chevrolet K1500 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 1.

Has the 1990 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 1990 Chevrolet K1500 get?

The EPA rates the 1990 Chevrolet K1500 (K1500 Pickup 4WD, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 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 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.