1989 Chevrolet K10 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Trailer Hitches
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. THERE MAY BE BELOW SPECIFIED TORQUE ON THE TRAILER HITCH ATTACHING FASTENERS, ALLOWING THE TRAILER HITCH TO MOVE UNDER TOWING LOADS.
What could happen: FASTENERS COULD FAIL; IF THIS OCCURS WHILE TRAILERIS BEING PULLED, HITCH AND TRAILER COULD SEPARATE AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULDOCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The fix: CORRECT TORQUE IN TRAILER HITCH FASTENERS TO PREVENT TRAILER SEPARATION.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 K10.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V078000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: TRAILER HITCHES
Summary: THERE MAY BE BELOW SPECIFIED TORQUE ON THE TRAILER HITCH ATTACHING FASTENERS, ALLOWING THE TRAILER HITCH TO MOVE UNDER TOWING LOADS.
Consequence: FASTENERS COULD FAIL; IF THIS OCCURS WHILE TRAILERIS BEING PULLED, HITCH AND TRAILER COULD SEPARATE AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULDOCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: CORRECT TORQUE IN TRAILER HITCH FASTENERS TO PREVENT TRAILER SEPARATION.
Notes: SYSTEM: TRAILER HITCH FASTENERS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB TRUCKS WITH OPTIONAL TRAILER HITCH (VR4).
2. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.
What could happen: THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The fix: INSTALL A LONGER TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE ROUTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 K10.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V016000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.
Consequence: THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: INSTALL A LONGER TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE ROUTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.
Notes: SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS WITH 5.0 L, 5.7 L, AND 7.4 L ENGINES AND 4L60,4L60-E, AND 3L80 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
3. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.
What could happen: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 K10.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V119000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
Summary: SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; DISK ROTORS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS AND VANS SOLD OR REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWINGSTATES: CT, IL, IN, MA, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, AND WI.NOTES: THE VEHICLES INVOLVED CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE FOLLOWING: THE 5THCHARACTER OF THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER MUST BE A "K" OR "L", AND THESEVENTH CHARACTER MUST BE "3","4","5","6", OR "9".IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPONSERVICE DATE, AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIMEAND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT ORNONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR NEAREST GMC TRUCK ZONE OFFICE. THE TELEPHONENUMBERS OF THE ZONE OFFICES ARE LISTED IN YOUR WARRANTY AND OWNER'S ASSISTANCEINFORMATION MANUALS. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETYADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1989 Chevrolet K10 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (1), Hydraulic (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
12/20/1996 · Brakes
ABS BRAKES FAILED AND PEDAL TRAVELS EXCESSIVELY TO THE FLOOR; ALSO REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER. *AK