RoadVitals

1997 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.
5
Latest Feb 4, 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.
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.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet G20, most frequently naming the brakes, body & structure and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Brakes233.3%
  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Fuel system116.7%
  • 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Feb 4, 2003

BAD FUEL PUMP ON 1997 CHEVY G20 CONVERSION VAN. BARE WIRES (INSULATION HAD BURN OFF) THE FUEL PUMP WHICH IS LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. I CONTACTED GM ABOUT THE PROBLEM, CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THERE IS NO RECORD OF THIS PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC SAID I WAS LUCKY ME AND MY FAMILY WEREN'T BLOWN UP. I HAVE THE FUEL PUMP AT HOME FOR EXAMINATION OR INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID
10005256
Incident
Dec 1, 2002
Mileage
120,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 9, 2001

BESIDES STRANDING ME WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT TWICE, LOSING POWER ON THE INTERSTATE IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC IS HAZARDOUS. BUT TWICE I NEARLY CRASHED WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, IN A CURVE ON THE INTERSTATE. THE VAN IS A HORSE TO MUSCLE AND THE SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING NEARLY COST ME CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I'M SURE IF MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING THEY WOULD HAVE CRASHED. I CANNOT BE THE ONLY PERSON HAVING CHRONIC PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AND TRANSMISSIONS OF 97 CHEVY VANS. GET THESE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD (AT LEAST MINE) BEFORE THEY KILL A BUNCH OF INNOCENT PEOPLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
742179
Incident
Feb 16, 2001
BrakesTires & wheels
Filed Mar 5, 2001

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WOULD WANDER SIDE TO SIDE AND PULL TO SIDE. SOMETIMES COULD FLIP OVER. THEN, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER , AND THEY FOUND TREAD SEPARATION. FIRESTONE, FIREHAWK TIRES. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE FOUND TO HAVE BROKEN BELTS AND TIRES WERE UNABLE TO BE ROTATED, BALANCED OR ALIGNED, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY MECHANIC TO GO TO FIRESTONE ABOUT THE TIRES, WHEN CONSUMER ARRIVED SHE WAS TOLD THEY HAD TOO MANY VEHICLES TO SERVICE. CONSUMER ALSO WAS ADVISED THAT BRAKES WERE NEEDED.*JB

NHTSA ID
882138
Incident
Mar 2, 2001
Brakes
Filed Apr 21, 1998

BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA ID
534429
Incident
Mar 28, 1998
Body & structure
Filed Jul 2, 1997

SUNVISOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. *AK

NHTSA ID
517945
Incident
May 15, 1997

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

16NA260

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPROGRAM THE MEDIA DISC PLAYER WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATIONS TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NOT OPERATING AS INTENDED IN COLDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AREAS DUE TO CALIBRATION CONCERNS.

Recalls

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Vehicle Recalls

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet G20 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1999300—
1998210—
1997Viewing510—
1996770—
1995826055.9
1994427056.9
1993596059.9
1992194045.4
1991540—
1990173050.5
1989730—
1988112163.0
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.