1990 Chevrolet C1500: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Chevrolet C1500: 1 recall, 22 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #90V170000 · 1990 · 194,243 vehicles
What's wrong: Trucks can contain incorrect instructions on how to properly adjust rear seat lap-shoulder belts as required by fmvss 209.
Why it matters: Incorrectly adjusted seat belt would not properlyrestrain occupant in an accident of sudden stop; trucks would not comply withfmvss 209.
The fix: Provide owner's manual insert containing the correct rear lap-shoulder belt instructions.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system Equipment recall #06E043000 · 2006 · 88,303 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006.
Equipment Equipment recall #07E088000 · 2007 · 121,680 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: This condition May cause inadequate sealing and loss of engine oil, possibly resulting in a fire.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (7): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (4).
- Seat belts (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Seats (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Body & structure (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Chevrolet C1500 has 22 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 7 C1500 model years for complaints (well below the 108 average). Complaints peaked in 1997 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 9 years old, at a median of 160,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (39 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Diesel |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl | Manual 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | Diesel |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Manual 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 17 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 15 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Manual 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 13 | 12 | Regular |
| 7.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 9 | 10 | 9 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Chevrolet C1500.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1990 Chevrolet C1500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1990 Chevrolet C1500, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Chevrolet C1500 problems?
Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (7), seat belts (3), seats (2).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Chevrolet C1500 get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 12 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Chevrolet C1500 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.