Chevrolet K25 problems

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The third generation of the C/K series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by General Motors from the 1973 to 1991 model years. Serving as the replacement for the "Action Line" C/K trucks, GM designated the generation under "Rounded Line" moniker. Again offered as a two-door pickup truck and chassis cab, the Rounded Line trucks marked the introduction of a four-door cab configuration.

Marketed under the Chevrolet and GMC brands, the Rounded Line C/K chassis also served as the basis of GM full-size SUVs, including the Chevrolet/GMC Suburban wagon and the off-road oriented Chevrolet K5 Blazer/GMC Jimmy. The generation also shared body commonality with GM medium-duty commercial trucks.

In early 1987, GM introduced the 1988 fourth-generation C/K to replace the Rounded Line generation, with the company beginning a multi-year transition between the two generations. To eliminate model overlap, the Rounded Line C/K was renamed the R/V series, which remained as a basis for full-size SUVs and heavier-duty pickup trucks. After an 18-year production run (exceeded only in longevity by the Dodge D/W-series/Ram pickup and the Jeep Gladiator/Pickup), the Rounded Line generation was retired after the 1991 model year.

From 1972 to 1991, General Motors produced the Rounded Line C/K (later R/V) series in multiple facilities across the United States and Canada. In South America, the model line was produced in Argentina and Brazil, ending in 1997.

photo of Chevrolet K25 car production

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Chevrolet K25 model years

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K25 1996
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K25 1995
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K25 1994
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K25 1993
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K25 1992
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K25 1991
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K25 1990
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K25 1989
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K25 1988
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Common Chevrolet K25 problems

The Chevrolet K25, a part of the third-generation C/K trucks produced from 1973 to 1987, is known for its squared-off design and durability. However, like any vehicle, it is not immune to common problems. Here are some of the most frequently reported issues with the Chevrolet K25, based on complaints from owners:

  • Body and chassis grounds: Over time, body and chassis grounds can break and corrode, causing electricity to ground at other parts like the bolts. This can lead to odd electrical problems like the engine not starting or the dash lights flickering. Repairing the ground strap by installing a new ground strap close to the area on the backside of the engine and installing the wire to the chassis can help alleviate these issues.
  • Door pins and bushings: The pins and bushings in the door jamb can wear out, causing the doors to sag. To replace the bushings, the spring will need to be removed from the door check, and a special compressor tool is needed to reinstall the spring. This is a common issue in the K25 and other third-generation C/K trucks.
  • Windshield wiper problems: The wiper board, which controls the speed of the wiper motor, can fail on the K25. Replacing both the wiper board and the wiper motor is recommended for a more reliable solution. There may be no immediate or apparent symptoms of bad body or chassis grounds, but over time, these issues can cause problems with electrical components.
  • Tail light problems: Tail light issues can arise due to various reasons, including electrical problems or damaged components. Regular inspection and maintenance can help prevent and address these issues.

It is essential to address these common problems promptly to ensure the longevity and reliability of your Chevrolet K25. Regular maintenance and inspections can help identify and prevent these issues, saving you time and money in the long run.

Chevrolet K25

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What does K stand for in Chevy?

On Chevrolet vehicles, the C/K nomenclature returned from the previous generation; "C" denoted two-wheel-drive trucks while "K" denoted four-wheel-drive vehicles. While all GMC pickup trucks were now badged under a singular Sierra nameplate, GM still used C and K as internal model codes for both divisions.

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Percentage distribution of complaints by Chevrolet K25 years

We have researched Chevrolet problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Chevrolet K25 cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Chevrolet K25 model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Chevrolet K25 model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Chevrolet K25 years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Chevrolet K25 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Chevrolet K25 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Power train problems
  • Seats problems
  • Seat belts problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Chevrolet K25 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by K25 model years

A total of 5 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by K25 model years

There were a total of 2 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by K25 model years

There were a total of 6 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 61 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Chevrolet K25 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Chevrolet K25 vehicles.

Latest 25 complaints

Chevrolet K25 1995
  • Date Of Incident: 2001-05-21
  • Date Complaint: 2002-08-13
  • VIN: 1GCGK24F8SZ
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: A/C COMPRESSOR CLUTCH COIL BROKE, DEALER REPLACED. *SLC
Chevrolet K25 1995
  • Date Of Incident: 1998-02-03
  • Date Complaint: 2002-08-13
  • VIN: 1GCGK24F8SZ
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: VEHICLE WAS BLOWING WHITE SMOKE UPON START OF VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED ENGINE ASSEMBLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING STALLING AND LOW RPMS PRIOR TO AND AFTER ENGINE REPLACEMENT, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE LIFT PUMP, FUEL TANK, O-RINGS, FUEL SEPARATOR, INJECTOR NOZZLES, GLOW PLUGS AND INJECTOR PUMP SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *SLC
Chevrolet K25 1995
  • Date Of Incident: 2000-07-24
  • Date Complaint: 2002-08-13
  • VIN: 1GCGK24F8SZ
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: AFTER VEHICLE WOULD SIT FOR 2 OR MORE DAYS, IT WOULD CRANK A LONG TIME, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED. *SLC
Chevrolet K25 1988
  • Date Of Incident: 1994-08-01
  • Date Complaint: 2001-08-28
  • VIN: 1GCFK24K0JE
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: AFTER LOOKING AT: HTTP://THECOMPLAINTSTATION.COM/G/GM_TOC.HTM#000001E3 , IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE DEFECTIVE GM TRANSMISSION HAS STRANDED MANY OTHERS BESIDES MYSELF. SO FAR THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY INJURY OR DEATHS REPORTED HERE BUT I SEE HOW ONE COULD BE STRANDED IN AN SUV IN A VERY BAD SITUATION! IN MY CASE THE DEALER FOUND THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE TRANS BEFORE I GOT BROKE DOWN ON THE BEACH SOMEWHERE WITH AN INCOMMING TIDE! GM SEEMS TO THINK THAT IT IS REASONABLE TO REPLACE THIS TRANSMISSION 4 TIMES ON MY TRUCK BUT, LIKE THE OTHERS ON THE WEBSITE I THINK THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND IF NOTHING ELSE PROVIDE AN EXTENDED WARANTEE ON TRANSMISSIONS TO THOSE OF US DUM ENOUGH TO KEEP BUYING THEIR PRODUCTS. ALL OF THESE FOLKS ON THE WEBSITE CAN'T BE WRONG. GM HAS A PROBLEM AND IT WILL RESULT IN AN INJURY OR DEATH BEFORE THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND DO THE RIGHT THING! I AM STILL LOOKING FOR THE CLASS ACTION SUIT TO HAPPEN. I WILL BE ENVOLVED IN THAT ACTION. IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE INFORMATION OR ADVICE ON THIS ,PLEASE LET ME KNOW? THANKS, JIM SANFORD. *AK
Chevrolet K25 1995
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 2001-02-22
  • VIN: 1GLGK24KX5E
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WITHIN HEAD LIGHT AND TAIL LIGHT BURNED OUT INSTALLATION, CAUSING INSUFFICIENT LIGHTING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WIRING FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS IS TOO SMALL, WHEN TOWING A TRAILER, THE WIRING IS INADEQUATE TO HANDLE EXTRA LIGHTS, THE WIRES AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ARE CHARGED FROM GETTING TOO HOT, CONSUMER FEELS WIRING NEEDS TO BE HEAVIER OR ON RELAYS TO SUPPORT THE TRAILER LIGHTS. *SLC
Chevrolet K25 1996
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 2000-08-10
  • VIN: 1GCGK24F4TZ
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: RECALL 98V150000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 98043. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL, AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT VIN FELL WITHIN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER HAS BEEN EXCLUDED. WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALLL. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS RESULTED IN POOR DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Chevrolet K25 1988
  • Date Of Incident: 2000-08-05
  • Date Complaint: 2000-08-09
  • Components: PARKING BRAKE,TIRES
  • Summary: CASING PEELED FROM TIRE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. CASING BECAME ENTAGLED AROUND REAR AXLE, HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE. PRESSURE ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE CAUSED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BE ACTIVATED. ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT WITH FOUR OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES ON INTERSTATE 5. TIME OF OCCURENCE WAS 6 A. M. TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED THE EVENING BEFORE FOR PROPER INFLATION AS PART OF TRIP PREPARATION. TRIP WAS PLANNED FOR 700 MILES. TIRE FAILED AT 60 MILES INTO THE TRIP. CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL STOPPED TO LEND ASSISTANCE, BUT A REPORT WAS NOT FILED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
Chevrolet K25 1996
  • Date Of Incident: 1999-01-01
  • Date Complaint: 1999-12-06
  • VIN: 1GCGKK24F1T
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. DRIVER HAS TO TAP ON THE WIPER MOTOR BOX BEFORE OPERATION CONTINUES. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. TRUCK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK *YC
Chevrolet K25 1989
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 1999-03-16
  • VIN: 2GCGK29KXK1
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: TRUCK BOUGHT IN 1990. PREVIOUS OWNER (GEDA SCOTT, GLASCOW, MT.) REPLACE U-JOINTS AND CARRIER BEARINGS. IN OCTOBER 1990 I REPLACED U-JOINTS. CONSTANT DRIVELINE VIBRATION. DEALER (WEBSTER CHEVROLET, CODY, WY) CLAIMED IT WAS TIRES. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO DRIVELINE PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK. TIRES REBALANCED, REPLACED. NEW RIMS PUT ON. VIBRATION CONTINUED. AT ABOUT 1996 HAD TRANSFER CASE SEAL GO OUT AND LOST ALL FLUID. SECOND DEALER (GARVIN MOTORS, POWELL,WY) STATED NO PROBLEM WITH DRIVELINE. SAID GENERAL MOTORS WOULD NOT HELP WITH PROBLEM. VEHICLE PRESENTLY MUST HAVE U-JOINTS REPLACED (3RD TIME) AND CARRIER BEARING REPLACED (2ND TIME). DID GM EVER RECALL THIS VEHICLE FOR DRIVELINE PROBLEMS? HAVE HEARD THEY HAD HIDDEN WARRANTY ON EXTENDED CAB TRUCKS FOR DRIVELINE PROBLEMS, BUT I HAVE BEEN DENIED ASSISTANCE 2 TIMES BY 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS. CAN YOU HELP. THANKS MUCHLY.
Chevrolet K25 1994
  • Date Of Incident: 1995-06-22
  • Date Complaint: 1998-10-27
  • VIN: 2GCFK29K2R1
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: FRONT SEAT FRAME AND BOLT BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, RECALL PERFORMED HOWEVER FAILED AND SEAT BACK COLLASPED AGAIN DUE TO FAILURE.
Chevrolet K25 1994
  • Date Of Incident: 1996-05-20
  • Date Complaint: 1998-10-27
  • VIN: 2GCFK29K2R1
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: SEAT BELT FAILED RESULTING IN LOOSENESS.
Chevrolet K25 1994
  • Date Of Incident: 1998-10-05
  • Date Complaint: 1998-10-27
  • VIN: 2GCFK29K2R1
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED.
Chevrolet K25 1996
  • Date Of Incident: 1996-01-15
  • Date Complaint: 1997-09-30
  • VIN: 1GCGK29F5TE
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: CLUTCH CHATTERS/VIBRATES WHEN ENGAGED/STARTING OUT FROM STANDSTILL, POTENTIAL FOR STALLING IN TRAFFIC, INTERMITTENT/MOSTLY WHEN COLD/HEAVILY LOADED. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK
Chevrolet K25 1996
  • Date Of Incident: 1997-02-26
  • Date Complaint: 1997-05-06
  • VIN: 1GCGK29F0TE
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE FRONT BRAKES GRABBED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID. ALSO REPLACED LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER.
Chevrolet K25 1995
  • Date Of Incident: 1995-11-01
  • Date Complaint: 1997-02-20
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • VIN: 1GBGK29K7SE
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK BOLTS BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL BACKWARDS INTO THE REAR SEAT. *AK

Recalls Chevrolet K25

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the Chevrolet K25.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

  • Model: Chevrolet K25 1990
  • Report Received Date: 1990-06-04
  • Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
  • Summary: 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.

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