U.S. public vehicle records

Chevrolet K15 transmission problems

11 complaint narratives mention transmission terms.

Key facts

129 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

86,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1982 to 1996 model years. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Transmission and shifting evidence

11 of 129 complaints match this topic (8.5%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.

Owner report 802253 · 1996-09-11 (September 11, 1996)

SMOKE STARTED COMING AROUND TAIL LIGHTS AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE DIP STICK IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802253 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 976769 · 1995-12-18 (December 18, 1995)

TRANSMISSION FLUID OVERHEATS AND IS FORCED OUT OF VENT TUBE AND CAUGHT FIRE. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976769 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 962045 · 1995-03-16 (March 16, 1995)

MANUAL HAS FAILED TWICE, SHIFTING MECHANISM AND CLUTCH HAVE FAILED. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962045 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 808890 · 1997-03-17 (March 17, 1997)

DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY ABOUT 65MPH SAW SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND THE VEHICLE, STOPPED AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE.THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR SAID MAIN SEAL ON TRANSMISSION BURST, CAUSING A FIRE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 808890 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 960611 · 1995-02-27 (February 27, 1995)

ASK FOR MRS. PUGLIESE. TRANSMISSION FLUID CAME OUT OF VENT TUBE LEAKED ONTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER. RESULTING IN VEHCILE FIRE. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960611 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

129 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

0.8%Usable mileage1 / 129 records

75.2%Valid incident date97 / 129 records

100.0%Valid filing date129 / 129 records

75.2%Ordered incident and filing dates97 / 129 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1982	1986	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	220.0% ODI 979166 BRAKES SHUT OFF PRESSURE FROM HYDRAULIC FLUID DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. NO RESPONSE FROM ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. TT Look up ODI 979166 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	333.3% ODI 488370 ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. *SD Look up ODI 488370 at NHTSA ↗	19.1% ODI 969199 ABS, BRAKE FAILUREE/XTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, SPEED 25MPH. TT Look up ODI 969199 at NHTSA ↗	16.7% ODI 975261 THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE. TT BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGN ALLOWS PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR UNDER BRAKING.*JB Look up ODI 975261 at NHTSA ↗	310.3% ODI 822146 WHENEVER ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED, WOULD BOUNCE UP AND DOWN. HAVE BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM. BRAKE PADS & ROTORS BEEN REPLACED BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED RIGHT, WOULD GO LEFT. *AK Look up ODI 822146 at NHTSA ↗	513.2% ODI 504718 ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *SD Look up ODI 504718 at NHTSA ↗	114.3% ODI 982410 ABS BRAKES; EXPERIENCING BRAKE PEDAL FADING W/PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS. SERVICE MANAGER STATES THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK Look up ODI 982410 at NHTSA ↗
Seats	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	533.3% ODI 806998 THE PASSENGER'S SEAT RECLINES ON ITS OWN AND WILL NOT STAY IN ONE POSITION. *AK Look up ODI 806998 at NHTSA ↗	26.9% ODI 987144 FAILURE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WHEN DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MOVES. AK GM STATED THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST CONSUMER IN CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS A USED VEHICLE. SLC Look up ODI 987144 at NHTSA ↗	410.5% ODI 503432 PASSENGER'S SEAT DOES NOT SLIDE IN TRACK. *SD Look up ODI 503432 at NHTSA ↗	114.3% ODI 728718 RIGHT SIDE SEATS KEEP LOSENING, SIDE DOOR LINKAGE CONTINUES TO COME APART, NO WAY TO EASILY ESCAPE, WITHOUT ROLLING THE WINDOW DOWN! Look up ODI 728718 at NHTSA ↗
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	218.2% ODI 501395 SEAT BACK COLLAPSED DUE TO SHEERED BOLTS. *SD Look up ODI 501395 at NHTSA ↗	426.7% ODI 963127 DRIVERS SEATBACK BOLTS BROKE TWICE AND THE SEAT FELL BACKWARDS. TT Look up ODI 963127 at NHTSA ↗	620.7% ODI 489215 SEAT BACK BOLT BROKE, CAUSING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE. *AW Look up ODI 489215 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	923.7% ODI 958471 CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. TT Look up ODI 958471 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	220.0% ODI 802253 SMOKE STARTED COMING AROUND TAIL LIGHTS AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE DIP STICK IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.*AK Look up ODI 802253 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	19.1% ODI 960611 ASK FOR MRS. PUGLIESE. TRANSMISSION FLUID CAME OUT OF VENT TUBE LEAKED ONTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER. RESULTING IN VEHCILE FIRE. TT Look up ODI 960611 at NHTSA ↗	16.7% ODI 975812 WHILE DRIVING, TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SMOKE AND SLIP. TT Look up ODI 975812 at NHTSA ↗	26.9% ODI 973119 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WHEN ENGAGED IN GEAR ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACK. TT Look up ODI 973119 at NHTSA ↗	25.3% ODI 963558 WHILE ENGAGE IN PARK, VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND FLIPPED OVER, RESULTING IN DAMAGE. TT Look up ODI 963558 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 817751 VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. HAD TO STEP ON THE BRAKES, APPLYING BOTH FEET, TO STOP. EVEN AFTER THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED, THE BRAKING PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN IMPROVED. *AK Look up ODI 817751 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	16.7% ODI 975261 THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE. TT BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGN ALLOWS PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR UNDER BRAKING.*JB Look up ODI 975261 at NHTSA ↗	13.4% ODI 975494 VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, TO STOP VEHICLE APPLIED THE BRAKES, KEPT DRIVING UNTIL VEHICLE WENT INTO CLOSED POSITION. TT Look up ODI 975494 at NHTSA ↗	25.3% ODI 972785 BRAKE PEDAL FADES TO THE FLOOR, REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER ON TWO OCCASIONS AND OTHER PARTS, TO NO AVAIL. TT DEALER HAS TURNED FRONT ROTORS, OILED REAR BRAKES, TURNED BRAKE DRUMS, AND REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER TWICE, HOWEVER BRAKES STILL GRIND AND GO TO THE FLOOR. FRONT END ALIGNMENT COMPLETE DUE TO UNEVEN TIRE WEAR, CONSUMER DID NOT GIVE ANY SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION. *SLC Look up ODI 972785 at NHTSA ↗	114.3% ODI 815374 WHILE GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP IMMEDIATELY.*AK Look up ODI 815374 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Ignition	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	110.0% ODI 960340 TRUCK EXPERIENCES HIGH IDLING THAT TAKES OVER WHILE DRIVEN. TRUCK STALLED REPEATEDLY THEN FIRE STARTED ON TOP OF ENGINE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT Look up ODI 960340 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	26.9% ODI 972190 INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL WHEN STARTING THE IGNITION, LOSS OF CONTROL. TT Look up ODI 972190 at NHTSA ↗	12.6% ODI 967153 PURCHASE TRUCK NEW ONLY HAD A MONTH THE ENGINE STOP WORK MAKING A NOISE BEFORE STOP WORKING THE TIRE WEAR OUT REPLACE THEM FOR THE SECOND TIME. TT Look up ODI 967153 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	26.9% ODI 10019431 THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND SHUT OFF AT VARIOUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. SCC Look up ODI 10019431 at NHTSA ↗	25.3% ODI 827956 WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY WORK. *AK Look up ODI 827956 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor	Too few reports for a range	86,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10050219 · 86,000 mi CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR PROBLEM. WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THIS MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. AK MR Look up ODI 10050219 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1995: 33 complaints · 1996: 2 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1995	19	33	33
1996	1	2	2

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1995	31	7	0
1996	3	4	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	Seats	Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner	Air Bags:Frontal	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	Electrical System:Ignition	Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	—	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 975261 THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE. TT BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGN ALLOWS PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR UNDER BRAKING.*JB Look up ODI 975261 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Seats	0	—	1 ODI 976696 UPON REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED AND LOWER LUMBAR WENT FORWARD. TT Look up ODI 976696 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner	0	1 ODI 976696 UPON REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED AND LOWER LUMBAR WENT FORWARD. TT Look up ODI 976696 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	0
Air Bags:Frontal	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	1 ODI 975261 THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE. TT BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGN ALLOWS PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR UNDER BRAKING.*JB Look up ODI 975261 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Electrical System:Ignition	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

9 mentions · 7.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 808010

WAS DRIVING AND APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, WENT TO THE FLOOR ,TOOK TO DEALER ON ONE OCCASSION AND HE REPLACED THE H2500 MODULE ELECTRICAL BRAKE CONTROL, SINCE THEN HAS TAKEN BACK A COUPLE OF TIMES. *AK

Look up ODI 808010 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 969199

ABS, BRAKE FAILUREE/XTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, SPEED 25MPH. TT

Look up ODI 969199 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 975261

THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE. TT BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGN ALLOWS PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR UNDER BRAKING.*JB

Look up ODI 975261 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

4 mentions · 3.1% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 960340

TRUCK EXPERIENCES HIGH IDLING THAT TAKES OVER WHILE DRIVEN. TRUCK STALLED REPEATEDLY THEN FIRE STARTED ON TOP OF ENGINE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Look up ODI 960340 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 501551

COMPUTER SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING CAR TO STALL. *DSH

Look up ODI 501551 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 972190

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL WHEN STARTING THE IGNITION, LOSS OF CONTROL. TT

Look up ODI 972190 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Steering assistance concerns

3 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 805085

AT HIGH SPEEDS (40-75MPH) THE VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE DRIFTS LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT POSTED SPEEDS AND MUST MAKE CORRECTIONS AT ALL TIMES EVEN WHEN TIRES WERE CHANGED AND FRONT END WAS CHECKED AND REALIGNED 2 OR 3 TIMES BY DEALERSHIP, SITUATION HAS BEEN DISCUSSED WITH SEVERAL SHOPS BUT NO ONE FIND THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER IT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED THT MAYBE IT IS THE POWER STEERING.*JB

Look up ODI 805085 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 505387

POWER STEERING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT. *SD

Look up ODI 505387 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 966845

STEERING COLUMN RATTLES AFTERWARDS THEN STEERING LOCKED UP. A BOLT WHICH WAS INSTALLED AND SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED FAILURES. STEERING STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. TT

Look up ODI 966845 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b