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Chevrolet P Series — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Chevrolet P Series model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
35
Years to Avoid
1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994
Best Years
1990, 1988, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971
1999Avoid
1 complaints0 recalls30 TSBs
1998Avoid
3 complaints0 recalls43 TSBs
1997Avoid
1 complaints0 recalls43 TSBs
1996Avoid
1 complaints0 recalls42 TSBs
1995Avoid
7 complaints0 recalls24 TSBs
1994Avoid
2 complaints0 recalls27 TSBs
1993
2 complaints0 recalls8 TSBs
1992
1 complaints0 recalls8 TSBs
1991
1 complaints0 recalls6 TSBs
1990Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1989
1 complaints0 recalls2 TSBs
1988Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1987
1 complaints0 recalls2 TSBs
1986Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1985Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1979Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1978Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1977Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1972Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1971Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1970
0 complaints1 recalls
1969
0 complaints1 recalls
1968
0 complaints1 recalls
1967
0 complaints1 recalls
1966
0 complaints1 recalls
1965
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Chevrolet P Series Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 Chevrolet P Series are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Chevrolet P Series, consider the 1990, 1988, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

35 model years analyzed