IllustrationI FIRST NOTEST PAINT CHIPS ON THE GAS CAP, THEN I EXPERENCED PAINT PEELING AS I WASHED OFF BIRD DROPINGS ON THE HOOD AREA AND CAB. I NOW HAVE HEAVY PEELING ON THE RIGHT FRONT FINDER AND THE TOP OF THE CAB.
1989 Chevrolet C Series
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all C Series years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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 1 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
1 reportsOfficial recalls
189V149000 · Equipment:other:labels
Sep 8, 1989
TRUCKS MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH INCORRECT OR MISSING
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: TRUCKS WOULD NOT CONFORM TO REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 120.
Remedy: INSTALL CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABEL.
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
2PE89132 · Lower Ball Joint Failure
Opened Jun 21, 1989 · Closed Oct 16, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
SUMMARY:EIGHT CONSUMERS AND ONE FLEET MANAGER REPORT PREMATURE LOWERBALL JOINT WEAR.ALLEGEDLY TWO ACCIDENTS HAVE RESULTED.SUBJECTVEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH MAINTENANCE FREE BALL JOINTS.===
PE89116 · Brake Lamp Switch
Opened Apr 12, 1989 · Closed Jul 5, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SUMMARY:TRUCK SERVICE BULLETIN OUTLINED PROCEDURES FOR ADJUSTMENT OFSTOP LAMP SWITCH.OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAVE TAKEN MORE FORMAL ACTION TOCORRECT MISADJUSTED/FAILED BRAKE LAMP SWITCHES.===