VehicleVerdict

1990 Chevrolet K1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 1990 Chevrolet K1500 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

8

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other K1500 years?

K1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted136 complaints1988: 11 complaints1989: 12 complaints1990: 8 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 18 complaints1993: 23 complaints1994: 136 complaints1995: 135 complaints1996: 108 complaints
K1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all K1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Chevrolet K1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes338%
Tires & Wheels225%
Engine113%
Seats113%
Steering113%

Does the 1990 Chevrolet K1500 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

90V170000Seat BeltsSeptember 17, 1990 · 194,243 units

Defect

TRUCKS CAN CONTAIN INCORRECT INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PROPERLY ADJUST REAR SEAT LAP-SHOULDER BELTS AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 209.

Consequence

INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED SEAT BELT WOULD NOT PROPERLYRESTRAIN OCCUPANT IN AN ACCIDENT OF SUDDEN STOP; TRUCKS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITHFMVSS 209.

Remedy

PROVIDE OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING THE CORRECT REAR LAP-SHOULDER BELT INSTRUCTIONS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

“WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS STRANGE HANDLING, HE PULLED OVER AND AND DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING SO HE CONTINUED BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE REAR WHEEL CAME OFF BEFORE GETTING UP TO SPEED, THE BRAKE DRUM FOLLOWED SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR FENDER, LUG NUT STUDS,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 4, 2001

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 6, 2000

1990 Chevrolet K1500 — common questions

Is the 1990 Chevrolet K1500 reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1990 Chevrolet K1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Chevrolet K1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet K1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the K1500 years to avoid are 1994, 1995, 1996. The cleanest record among K1500 years belongs to 1991.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.