RoadVitals

1988 Chevrolet G20

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.
11
Latest Oct 3, 2003
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.
2
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.
1
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.
4

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet G20, most frequently naming the engine, driver assistance and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names 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

  • Engine436.4%
  • Driver assistance19.1%
  • Electrical19.1%
  • Interior & seats19.1%
  • Seat belts19.1%
  • Suspension19.1%
  • Brakes19.1%
  • Transmission19.1%

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

2 campaigns 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

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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA88016ClosedEngineering Analysis

HIGH TEMP & FUEL EXP

Opened Jan 19, 1988
Closed Jun 30, 1988

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Oct 3, 2003

WHEN THE CONSUMER SHIFTED THE GEAR TO REVERSE AND ACCELERATED AT A LOW SPEED THE FRONT BRAKE PIN SNAPPED. THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL BUT MANAGED TO PULL OVER. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10042286
Incident
Sep 27, 2003
Mileage
150,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 7, 2000
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS

NHTSA ID
557982
Incident
Oct 15, 2000
Suspension
Filed Nov 16, 1998

WHEN DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE PULLS TO EITHER SIDE FROM SIDE TO SIDE, DRIVER HAS TO SLOW DOWN IN ORDER TO DRIV. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FIVE TIMES. *AK.

NHTSA ID
830852
Incident
Apr 12, 1996
Engine
Filed Oct 15, 1998
Fire reported

ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).

NHTSA ID
541962
Incident
Sep 18, 1998
Engine
Filed Sep 17, 1997

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.(OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT)

NHTSA ID
522189
Incident
Aug 17, 1997
Engine
Filed Aug 30, 1997
Fire reported

SMOKED NOTICED COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE THEN FLAME CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE TOTALLY DESTROYED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
523043
Incident
Aug 24, 1997
Electrical
Filed Jul 24, 1997

DESIGN OF FUSE BOX ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER, SHORTING OUT WIRES, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

NHTSA ID
520160
Incident
Jul 23, 1996
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 15, 1996

FAILURE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL, WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AT A HIGH SPEED. *AK CONSUMER STATES AS HE WAS DRIVIING IT STARTED TO RAIN AND HE MUST HAVE HIT THE CRUISE CONTROL BY MISTAKE WHEN GOING TO TURN ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE ACCELERATOR WENT TO THE FLOOR THE VAN STARTED TO SPEED UP AND CONSUMER TRIED TO APPLY THE RAKES, BUT THE VANSKIDDED BACK AND FOURTH, CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, CONSUMER TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT DID THE SAME THING, CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND EXPLAINED SITUATION BUT WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS.*JB

NHTSA ID
805120
Incident
Aug 15, 1996

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet G20 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1999300
1998210
1997510
1996770
1995826055.9
1994427056.9
1993596059.9
1992194045.4
1991540
1990173050.5
1989730
1988Viewing112163.0
1987103260.6
1986412
1985612
1984230
1983130
1982130
1981020
1980020
1979130
1978130
1977020
1976010
1975010
1974020
1973010
1971100

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.