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.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →1Owner complaints
Model-year median: 1
1Recall campaignsView recall details →
2InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1989 Chevrolet C Series
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 1 owner complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 2 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 1 reports
- Unknown Or Other: 1 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all C Series years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure 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 reportsRecall campaigns
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 ↗
Defect 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.===
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.