1988 Chevrolet C10

○ Not enough data
1988 Chevrolet C10
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:09:37.432Z

Only 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

Complaints
7

Too few to rank

Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 4 complaints 1982: 4 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 7 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 1 complaint 1988: 7 complaints 1988 7 1989: 5 complaints 1990: 3 complaints 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 9 complaints 1992 1993: 9 complaints 1994: 20 complaints 1995: 40 complaints 1995 1996: 16 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 3 complaints 2000: 1 complaint 2001: 0 complaints 2001
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 4 complaints 1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1986 1987: 1 complaint 1988: 7 complaints 1988 7 1989: 5 complaints 1990: 3 complaints 1990 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 9 complaints 1992 1993: 9 complaints 1994: 20 complaints 1994 1995: 40 complaints 1996: 16 complaints 1996 1997: 7 complaints 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 3 complaints 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2001: 0 complaints
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 4 complaints 1981 1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1986 1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 7 complaints 1988 7 1989: 5 complaints 1989 1990: 3 complaints 1990 1991: 3 complaints 1991 1992: 9 complaints 1992 1993: 9 complaints 1993 1994: 20 complaints 1994 1995: 40 complaints 1995 1996: 16 complaints 1996 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 3 complaints 1999 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2001: 0 complaints 2001

1988: 7 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19814
19824
19833
19843
19857
19867
19871
19887
19895
19903
19913
19929
19939
199420
199540
199616
19977
19981
19993
20001
20010

Known problem areas

Only 7 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Service brakes

3 of 7 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

Engine and engine cooling

2 of 7 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and hoses/lines/piping/fittings.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle experienced engine fire. (Ohio traffic crash report).

NHTSA ODI report, 2000-03-23

Suspension

1 of 7 total reports mentions: suspension, most commonly citing control arm.

Show complaint excerpts

When driving there is a noise in the front ball joint .

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-01-15

Steering

1 of 7 total reports mentions: steering, most commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar.

Show complaint excerpts

Due to defect steering bolts, steering wheel is too loose for proper control while driving. Please describe. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-03

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1987-08-31Vehicle speed control87V125000 Cruise control cable lock mechanism may self disengage causing erratic operation or throttle not returning to idle.

    Remedy: Install a clamp around the lock tab of cruise control.

  2. R
    1987-08-31Steering87V126000 One or both of outer tie rod nuts may be loose and not crimped.

    Remedy: Replace tie rod and knuckle and set toe-in.

  3. R
    1987-08-31Latches/locks/linkages87V127000 Trucks may have cracked or broken door striker nuts, which do not conform to FMVSS 206.

    Remedy: Replace existing door striker nuts.

  4. R
    1987-11-16Service brakes, hydraulic87V136000 Right and left hand brake hose may contact the wheel or tire in a full turn.

    Remedy: Install new repositioning brackets for the front brake hoses.

  5. I
    1988-01-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-03-31 Rear brk lights stay on
  6. I
    1988-04-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-07-18 Poor braking performance
  7. I
    1988-07-18Engineering analysisClosed 1990-10-31 Poor brake performance
  8. I
    1988-09-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-02-23 Loose rear brk backing blt
  9. I
    1989-02-23Engineering analysisClosed 1990-01-09 Brake backing plates
  10. I
    1992-12-08Engineering analysisClosed 1995-03-09 Fuel system integrity
  11. R
    1993-03-13Power train93V016000 Unanticipated heat in the transmission can force the transmission fluid out of the vent tube.

    Remedy: Install a longer transmission vent hose routed to the left side of the engine compartment of the vehicle.

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Chevrolet C10 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 2 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 87V125000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 87V126000 · Steering
  • Recall 87V127000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 87V136000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 93V016000 · Power train

FAQ

Is the 1988 Chevrolet C10 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Chevrolet C10?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Chevrolet C10 have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.