Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 32 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports5 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
32 reports
179,875 miles · Apr 23, 2010
Seat Belts
MY SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 1988 CHEVY 2WHEEL DRIVE PICK-UP HAS FAILED AND CANNOT BE EXTENDED FOR USE. AT ONE TIME A FED LAW DIRECTING DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SAFETY ITEMS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER WAS IN EFFECT. I CAN NO LONGER FIND ANY REFERENCE TO THIS ITEM. IS IT STILL IN AFFECT? AND IF IT IS HOW …
Read full complaint
MY SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 1988 CHEVY 2WHEEL DRIVE PICK-UP HAS FAILED AND CANNOT BE EXTENDED FOR USE. AT ONE TIME A FED LAW DIRECTING DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SAFETY ITEMS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER WAS IN EFFECT. I CAN NO LONGER FIND ANY REFERENCE TO THIS ITEM. IS IT STILL IN AFFECT? AND IF IT IS HOW CAN I OBTAIN A COPY OF IT TO SHOW TO A DEALER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327153
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2001
Seat Belts
LATCH ON DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IS CONTINUALLY BREAKING. *AK CONSUMER STATES LATCH BROKE WHILE LEANING FORWARD TO ADJUST RADIO AND HE CAN SEE THE BROKEN PIECE OF WHITE PLASTIC INSIDE LATCH. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #883655
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 1999
Seat Belts
BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS ON THE LEFT / RIGHT HAND SIDE DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. PASSENGER'S CAN'T RIDE IN THE REAR OF VEHICLE WITHOUT SEAT BELTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #842433
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED, VEHICLE UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME TO AVOID HITTING STOPPED VEHICLES. *YC
NHTSA ODI #547176
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND WOULDN'T START BACK UP. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER AND DIED OUT. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT SOMEONE CHANGED MILEAGE ON VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #832730
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1998
Exterior Lighting
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON AND OFF WHILE IN USE WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #831069
Mileage unknown · May 18, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, ALSO, THE LINING ON THE PADS CAME OFF WHILE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #823421
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #534772
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL PUMP TERMINALS SHORTED OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DIE/STALL.
NHTSA ODI #534577
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 1997
Latches/locks/linkagesCrash
METAL AROUND STRIKER NUTS IS CRACKING BECAUSE DOOR WILL NOT SIT PROPERLY. DOOR CANNOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED.
NHTSA ODI #527456
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1988 Chevrolet C1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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