RoadVitals

1984 Chevrolet C20

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest May 10, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Oct 24, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1984 Chevrolet C20, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 3 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes116.7%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Fuel system116.7%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%
  • Tires & wheels116.7%
  • Transmission116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA92041ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY

Opened Dec 8, 1992
Closed Mar 9, 1995

There is no summary currently available

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
EA88018ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKE SYSTEM

Opened Jan 20, 1988
Closed May 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE88016ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKS

Opened Jan 14, 1988
Closed Mar 31, 1988

SUMMARY:SOME 1981-86 TRUCKS WITH 7.4L ENGINES AND CAST IRON EXHAUSTMANIFOLDS MAY EXPERIENCE A CONDITION WHERE AN EXHAUST LEAK DEVELOPSBETWEEN THE MANIFOLD AND THE CYLINDER HEAD MATING SURFACE CAUSING A NOISECONDITION. MOST OF THE REPORTS (AND ALL OF THE INJURIES AND THEMANIFOLD FIRE) ARE FROM THE P30 MOTORHOME CHASSIS.GM STATES THAT A WARPEDOR CRACKED MANIFOLD WOULD PERMIT SMALL AMOUNTS OF EXHAUST GAS LEAKAGEGENERALLY RESULTING IN NOTICEABLE NOISE AND FUMES.THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDSARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO EXTREME HEAT CONDITIONS (SUCH AS OPERATING UNDER SEVEREENGINE/VEHICULAR LOAD CONDITIONS AND HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES).THEMOTORHOME APPLICATION IS PARTICULARLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS ALLEGED DEFECTSINCE THE VEHICLE IS NEARLY ALWAYS AT OR NEAR THE GVWR OF THE VEHICLE.THEFEW NUMBER OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY ODI FOR A PROBLEM WHICH BEGAN 8 YEARS AGOSUGGESTS THAT THE DEFECT EITHER OCCURS INFREQUENTLY OR IS NOT PERCEIVED ASA SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD.THE SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED TO IDENTIFYTHE HIGH TEMPERATURE PROBLEM AND PROVIDE A REMEDY AGAINST REOCCURRENCE.===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed May 10, 2018
Fire reported

STEERING WHEEL STARTING KEY TURNING ON MOTOR CAUSED FIRE IN WIRING AND SHORTED OUT THE FUSIBLE WIRE LINK--CHEVY DEALERS HAVE NO INFORMATION ON THE PARTS INVOLVED OR EVEN PARTS NUMBERS FOR THAT EQUIPMENT--THEY SAY THAT DOESN'T EXIST -I HAVE TWO TRUCKS WITH SAME EQUIPMENT--WAS THERE EVER A RECALL FOR THOSE VEHICLES? STARTER SWITCH-- THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND DIDN'T MOVE AT THAT MOMENT AT MY PLACE

NHTSA ID
11092888
Incident
Apr 27, 2018
Mileage
93,151 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 28, 2000

THE FIRESTONE STEEL TEX RADIAL R4S LT 235/85R16 TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK WHICH WAS TORN OFF, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AFTER BEING VERY UNSTABLE. *MJS

NHTSA ID
558378
Incident
Oct 15, 2000
BrakesPowertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Apr 7, 2000
3 injuries reported

FRONT SEAL LEAK CAUSED CAR TO NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THEY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED 3 TIMES. CONSUMER FELT IT WAS THE FLUID DEXTRON 3 THAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. DUE TO OVERHEATED TRANSMISSION, BRAKES NO LONGER FUNCTION CORRECTLY. BRAKELINE FOR REAR BRAKES IS INCHES FROM TRANSMISSION DUE TO DEXTRON 3. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
859857
Incident
Apr 7, 1990
Fuel system
Filed Jan 25, 1999

DESIGN FLAW OF THE DUAL TANKS AND PROTECTIVE SHIELDS, RESULTING IN SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF CORROSION AND LEAKAGE, DEFECT (REBATE)IN THE OUTSIDE GASOLINE TANKS, HOWEVER CONSUMER HAS NOT RECEIVED NOTICE. *MJS

NHTSA ID
543579

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet C20 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001010—
2000010—
1999000—
1998010—
1997220—
1996050—
1995147158.6
19941210160.4
1993163251.7
1992232—
1991613—
1990532—
1989122—
1988356—
1987304—
1986015—
1985216—
1984Viewing413—
1983112—
1982122—
1981122—
1980121—
1979041—
1978111—
1977021—
1976031—
1975021—
1974131—
1973001—
1972101—
1971131—
1970111—
1967010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.