1993 Chevrolet Silverado C1500 Extended Cab, from North America - Comments

The alternator went bad at around 40,000 miles.

The windshield wipers only function when it's dry out, unless I pull over and jiggle the wires, that started around 35,000 miles.

Fuel injectors went out around 48,000 miles.

Oxygen sensor went out around 30,000 miles, 42,000 miles, and 50,000 miles.

This truck is the worst 2 wheel drive vehicle I have ever driven in the rain or snow, even with weight in the back and studded tires all around.

The alternator and wiper problems I've had seem to run rampant on this model year and several years before and after this one. Chevrolet's customer service also leaves much to be desired.

One nice thing I can say about this truck is that the interior is wonderful. Everything is within easy reach, and the layout seems well thought out. Everything looks like it's nearly new on the interior, even after 10 years. I've had adults in the back seat and while it's a bit of a pinch to get them back there, there is ample room. However, comfort doesn't mean much when it's sitting in the shop all of the time.

Hate to say this, but nearly all 2-wheel drive full-size trucks are not too good in the snow. Chevy has too much power for a full-size/2wd in snow.

Have a 99 chevy silverado 3/4 ton, 4x4, 6L with nearly 100K - never a single wiper or alternator problem. This truck only eats daytime running headlamps for some reason.

But you're right, I had a fullsize 2wd Chevy years ago - they are worthless in the snow.

Now I have a 2wd Isuzu Rodeo with 16" tires, and it does even better than the 4x4 chevy in snow - it's all based on weight distribution, and the Rodeo 2wd's have a positive rear-end, 2wd Chevy's do not.

I hope in the future you choose a truck suitable to your climate.

I have a ' 93 Silverado with 305K miles on it. I bought it when had 160K. It has the 6-cylinder motor. I had the automatic transmission rebuilt at 250K, but that has been the only major drivetrain problem I've had with it. I had the same wiper problem as the original poster-- they would not work at all when it was raining, which caused a few exciting adventures of driving almost blind before I got it fixed. But at least it was an easy fix. There was a faulty gasket around the housing of an electronic circuit going to the wiper motor (forgot what that particular part is called) which allows moisture in it, so the wipers would short out. I think there was a recall, but I bought a new housing for about $20 and the problem is now resolved. Now I don't have to by Rain-X by the gallon and keep W-D40 spray on hand to spray on the circuit panel in case the Rain-x wears off.

Don't ever ride around on fumes in your Silverado, or your fuel pump will prematurely wear out. Fill it back up before it gets to 1/4 of a tank. That is the second most expensive repair I've dealt with.

I've had to get the alternator and battery replaced twice and the water pump once, but those parts are fairly cheap at Auto Zone. Brake work done a couple of times, and the belt replaced twice (but one of those times it was because a of stray cat getting in my motor-- poor thing!)and the tension pulley changed once. I had the muffler replaced once too. So yeah, its a nickel here, and a dime there. But I can afford the nickel and dime stuff OK.

It puffs smoke when I crank it, which I was told was the valve stem gasket, but it doesn't use enough oil that I have to add any between changes. It's done it ever since I bought it. I have abused this poor old truck, and as of now it is still taking it. Right now it needs shocks and struts, but money is tight right now, so I'll just have to keep bouncing along for a while.

It doesn't handle all that great in the rain, but you get used to it. And you might need to learn to adjust your stopping distance if you are used to driving a car. Mine does not have ABS so it tends to slide if you have to stop short, especially on a wet road.

If this truck dies tomorrow, I'd still have to say it is the most reliable truck I've ever owned. I would like to buy another one just like it that hasn't had such a hard life. Mine looks rough because it has never been garaged so it has some hail and paint damage. My X-husband had an S-10 with the same type of 6-cylinder motor as my Silverado, and he put over 450,000 miles on it before he sold it. It was still running fine. Hopefully mine will make it another 100K too!

Drove my 1993 Chevy Silverado club cab right off the lot brand new and still have it. It's been a great truck and has had it's share of maintenance, but it's got 190,000 miles on her.

The only recall I know about was for the front passenger seat; the bolts apparently don't hold well and they break. Mine had already done that when I received notice of the recall and had it taken care of.

Right now, she's down. Don't know what the problem is, there's no spark to the spark plugs. Have changed out the ignition pick up wire, ignition module, rotor, distributor cap, spark plugs and wires and still no fire. Am sitting on it for now until I figure it out.

But have to say that I wouldn't trade this truck for any other. It's got a 305 (8 cyl) engine and automatic. When the weather is icy or rainy, we just place a bit of weight in the back and she's fine.

I just recently purchased my dad's old 93 extended cab silverado. it has a 350 in it with 220000 km on it and it doesn't knock,tick or leak oil. Nor have i have the problems with the wipers or the front seats. he never had any major problems with it. the exhaust was done once and I just recently changed the rear end due to gear wear. it's a great truck and I hope its will survive another fifteen years.

I have a 1993 Silverado extended cab 2wd, with the 350 motor and automatic transmission. I bought the truck from my dad for $1,500.00 with 203K on the odometer. He bought it when it had 100K. The only trouble he had with it was the transmission at 170K. It was rebuilt for $900.00. He was looking for something a little more brutish to pull his horse trailer, and bought a Dodge 3500 4wd with the Cummings diesel. I like my truck better than his new one, but I don't pull horse trailers. I do like to haul a dirt bike once in a while. Since I bought it, I have replaced the alternator, oil cooler lines, new front seats (my bolts snapped too) and installed a new stereo system. I now have 251K on it. Nickels and dimes beat car payments all day long. I only get 16mpg but the engine is strong and burns no oil. If you do the math it makes sense to keep on driving it, even with gas prices at $4.00 per gallon. My repair costs over the last 3 years have been about $31.00 a month. I aveage about 1400 miles a month. Which equates to $350.00 a month in gas. I would have to buy a truck that got 28 miles per gallon to save me $150.00 per month in fuel and $31.00 in repair costs.

Where you gonna buy a full size truck that gets 28mpg and has a payment of $181.00 per month? Not to mention my Chevy's parts are cheap and so is the insurance.