1988 Chevrolet Silverado Problems
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Chevrolet Silverado (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Silverado. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (20% of the total), followed by other or unknown (3) and fuel system (2). Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns 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.
- Electrical system3 20%
- Other or unknown3 20%
- Fuel system2 13%
- Tires2 13%
- Brakes1 6.7%
- Engine cooling1 6.7%
- Seats1 6.7%
- Vehicle speed control1 6.7%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “On april 17th, 2001,I purchased a 1989 chevy gmc for $4,200 after leaving a $100 cash deposit the day before. I paid $3,000 cash and $1,129 in a check. I drove that truck for almost 3 weeks. I kept hearing a rattle. It sounded like the truck was going to throw a rod. I took the truck back to the dealership and told drew the situation. He said he was glad I came and talked directly to him. I saw this 1988 Chevrolet Silverado on his lot. I traded the chevy gmc for the Silverado for and additional $1,600 and paid the difference. This was on may 14, 2001. …”
NHTSA complaint #747265, filed 2001-06Other or unknown: “My pickup has been consistantly peeling from primer on my door my hood and on my roof my truck is 2 tone black on gold the black is chipping the worst but now my gold is starting to do the same. No safety defect indicated in the summary.”
NHTSA complaint #716775, filed 2000-01Fuel system: “Left tank on driver's side has rusted out and formed a hole on top of tank, where electrical wires are located. Could result in a fire if sparks are exposed. Dealer contacted and is aware of the problem. Repairwork done at owners expense.”
NHTSA complaint #835723, filed 1999-03Tires: “Continental general amer ghs tire (p235 75 r15) experienced tread separation, this caused damage to the exhaust system and to the truck bed, the consumer is requesting reimbursement for the damage done to the vehicle due to the faulty tire.”
NHTSA complaint #557873, filed 2000-12Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1988 Chevrolet Silverado in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Chevrolet Silverado.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Silverado
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 125 | 32,000 | 0 | — | 20 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 5 | 664 | 2 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 76 | 5,860 | 7 | — | — | 83 · More | Stable |
| 2014 | 124 | 4,913 | 13 | — | — | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 64 | 10,050 | 3 | — | 21 | 55 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 68 | 20,482 | 2 | — | 21 | 53 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 75 | 53,000 | 2 | — | 21 | 32 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2010 | 62 | 43,232 | 0 | — | 22 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2009 | 76 | 58,500 | 0 | — | 21 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 162 | 65,650 | 1 | — | — | 24 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 183 | 56,500 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 182 | 59,756 | 4 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 316 | 53,737 | 8 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 622 | 46,746 | 8 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 695 | 44,000 | 6 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 710 | 46,567 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 877 | 49,008 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 1,305 | 57,604 | 8 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 1,660 | 64,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1998 | 279 | 73,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 272 | 81,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 186 | 79,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 263 | 124,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 210 | 121,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 69 | 187,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 40 | 160,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 17 | 107,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 25 | 88,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 22 | 106,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 15 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Silverado model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Chevrolet Silverado have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Silverado as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Chevrolet Silverado is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (20% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 3.
Has the 1988 Chevrolet Silverado been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
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.