1990 Chevrolet K15: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Power Train:Clutch Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 6 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 16.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 2 |
| Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Universal Joint | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 |
Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 2; Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Universal Joint: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 1; Suspension:Rear: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 1; 1997: 1; 1999: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Clutch Assembly leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 817751 · 1997-10-28 (October 28, 1997)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 817751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 853672 · 1999-12-27 (December 27, 1999)
THE REAR U-JOINT & CONNECTED DRIVESHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, GMC DEALER REMOVED THE DRIVESHAFT COMPLETELY/ REPLACED THE FRONT U-JOINT, AND REINSTALLED THE DRIVESHAFT. DEALER WILL NOT INSPECT VEHICLE. *AK *YC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 853672 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958692 · 1995-01-13 (January 13, 1995)
CLUTCH FAILED TEN TIMES, RESULTING IN NO CLUTCH OPERATION WHILE DRIVING, REPLACE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY SEVEN TIMES. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958692 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 964151 · 1995-04-21 (April 21, 1995)
REPLACED REAR AXLE SEALS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964151 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983121 · 1996-04-19 (April 19, 1996)
WHILE STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN THE REAR END COLLAPSED AND CAUSED ENTIRE THE DIFFERENTIAL TO DROP *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983121 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
90V108000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
Reported: 1990-06-04 (June 4, 1990)
LOOSE PIVOT BOLT HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ITS SUPPORT BRACKET COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE NUT.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKING ACTIVITY THAT COULDRESULT IN A TRUCK CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: RETORQUE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT BOLTS TO SPECIFICATIONS TO PREVENT LOOSENING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
6 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
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.
| 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 979166BRAKES SHUT OFF PRESSURE FROM HYDRAULIC FLUID DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. NO RESPONSE FROM ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 333.3% | 19.1%ODI 969199ABS, BRAKE FAILUREE/XTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, SPEED 25MPH. TT | 16.7%ODI 975261THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE. TT BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGN ALLOWS PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR UNDER BRAKING.*JB | 310.3%ODI 822146WHENEVER 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 | 513.2% | 114.3%ODI 982410ABS BRAKES; EXPERIENCING BRAKE PEDAL FADING W/PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS. SERVICE MANAGER STATES THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK |
| 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 806998THE PASSENGER'S SEAT RECLINES ON ITS OWN AND WILL NOT STAY IN ONE POSITION. *AK | 26.9%ODI 987144FAILURE 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 | 410.5% | 114.3%ODI 728718RIGHT SIDE SEATS KEEP LOSENING, SIDE DOOR LINKAGE CONTINUES TO COME APART, NO WAY TO EASILY ESCAPE, WITHOUT ROLLING THE WINDOW DOWN! |
| 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% | 426.7%ODI 963127DRIVERS SEATBACK BOLTS BROKE TWICE AND THE SEAT FELL BACKWARDS. TT | 620.7% | 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% | 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 802253SMOKE STARTED COMING AROUND TAIL LIGHTS AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE DIP STICK IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.*AK | 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 960611ASK FOR MRS. PUGLIESE. TRANSMISSION FLUID CAME OUT OF VENT TUBE LEAKED ONTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER. RESULTING IN VEHCILE FIRE. TT | 16.7% | 26.9%ODI 973119AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WHEN ENGAGED IN GEAR ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACK. TT | 25.3%ODI 963558WHILE ENGAGE IN PARK, VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND FLIPPED OVER, RESULTING IN DAMAGE. TT | 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 817751VEHICLE 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.7%ODI 975261THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE. TT BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGN ALLOWS PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR UNDER BRAKING.*JB | 13.4%ODI 975494VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, TO STOP VEHICLE APPLIED THE BRAKES, KEPT DRIVING UNTIL VEHICLE WENT INTO CLOSED POSITION. TT | 25.3%ODI 972785BRAKE 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 | 114.3%ODI 815374WHILE GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP IMMEDIATELY.*AK |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 110.0%ODI 960340TRUCK EXPERIENCES HIGH IDLING THAT TAKES OVER WHILE DRIVEN. TRUCK STALLED REPEATEDLY THEN FIRE STARTED ON TOP OF ENGINE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT | 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 972190INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL WHEN STARTING THE IGNITION, LOSS OF CONTROL. TT | 12.6%ODI 967153PURCHASE 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 | 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 10019431THE 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 | 25.3% | 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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | 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.
1995: 33 complaints · 1996: 2 complaints
| 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
| 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 | Power Train:Clutch Assembly | Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable | Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | Power Train:Driveline:Universal Joint | Power Train:Manual Transmission | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | Suspension:Rear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 962045MANUAL HAS FAILED TWICE, SHIFTING MECHANISM AND CLUTCH HAVE FAILED. TT | 0 | 0 |
| Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 0 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1ODI 853672THE REAR U-JOINT & CONNECTED DRIVESHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, GMC DEALER REMOVED THE DRIVESHAFT COMPLETELY/ REPLACED THE FRONT U-JOINT, AND REINSTALLED THE DRIVESHAFT. DEALER WILL NOT INSPECT VEHICLE. *AK *YC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Universal Joint | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 853672THE REAR U-JOINT & CONNECTED DRIVESHAFT SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, GMC DEALER REMOVED THE DRIVESHAFT COMPLETELY/ REPLACED THE FRONT U-JOINT, AND REINSTALLED THE DRIVESHAFT. DEALER WILL NOT INSPECT VEHICLE. *AK *YC | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1ODI 962045MANUAL HAS FAILED TWICE, SHIFTING MECHANISM AND CLUTCH HAVE FAILED. TT | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Suspension:Rear | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.