1990 Chevrolet Silverado problems
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Chevrolet Silverado. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 32% of complaints. Next are seat belts (14%) and tires (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 37 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 32% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 4 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 9 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What the data shows
Safety-related details: 4 complaints mention a crash; 9 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 93% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1990 ranks 26th most-complained-about out of 26 model years of the Chevrolet Silverado with enough data (1 complaint in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Vehicle was on highway at approx. 45-50 MPH. Approaching railroad tracks, applied brakes to slow down. While slowing down, the rear wheel locked up, causing vehicle to slide into a train.
The consumer's son was driving the vehicle when the driver's side leaned to the left, and the steering had become uncontrollable. The consumer was unsure if the tire had blown or if the ball joints failed. The consumer received a special policy letter in reference to the front suspension. Mr scc
At a speed of 65MPH, my truck suddenly accelerated and the engine revved up to the max RPM. I attempted to downshift, but the clutch would not engage and since I was approaching an of-ramp I put both feet on the brake, but could not stop, so I turned off the key, but had to swerve off to the grass to avoid crashing into the line of traffic stopped in the off-ramp. I waited a few moments to stop shaking and realized a noxious "burning" smell was filling the cab and I thought my truck was on fire.
Tl*the contact owns a 1990 chevrolet silverado. The vehicle has firestone steeltex at, size lt 245/75 r16 tires. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began to shake and then a loud banging sound was heard. The contact thought that the engine fell out and was able to pull off the road. He inspected the vehicle and noticed that the front driver side tire had not blown out, however, the tread separated to reveal the steel belts. The tire did not deflate.
Steering column on 1990 chevrolet c 1500 (silverado) is very loose and feels disconnected. Steering wheel moves vertically over one inch and entire column shakes.