RoadVitals

1996 Chevrolet K20

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.
2
Latest Jul 22, 1999
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.
3
Latest May 7, 1996
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet K20, most frequently naming the brakes and visibility categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 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

  • Brakes150.0%
  • Visibility150.0%

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

3 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
96V082000

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE

May 7, 1996
16,918 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FOUR U-BOLTS NUTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE REAR AXLE WERE UNDER-TORQUED.
The risk: VEHICLE USAGE COULD CAUSE THE NUTS TO LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY FALL OFF THE U-BOLT. THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE U-BOLT NUT TORQUE AND RE-TORQUE ANY LOOSE U-BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
96V057000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Apr 4, 1996
379,004 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
96E010000

SEATS

Mar 25, 1996
2,400 units potentially affected
The defect: THE SEAT RECLINER TO SEAT FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS ON THESE VEHICLES COULD LOOSEN, FATIGUE AND FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE.
The risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THIS COULD RESULT IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE ALL FOAM AND/OR FABRIC SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE RECLINER ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT FRAME, INSTALL WASHERS BETWEEN THE SEAT RECLINER AND THE SEAT FRAME AT EACH ATTACHMENT POINT, AND INSTALL NEW ATTACHING BOLTS TORQUED TO A HIGHER SPECIFICATION. THESE CORRECTIONS WILL BE MADE TO BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS.
VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMSView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Jul 22, 1999
Crash reported

THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE IN MY OPINION DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I HAVE NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WHERE THE TRUCK FAILS TO STOP IN A TIMELY FASHION OR DISTANCE. ONE OF THESE INCIDENTS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR ENDED A VEHICLE SOON AFTER I BOUGHT THE TRUCK. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS SEEKING RESOLUTION. THE LATEST OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WITH MY FAMILY IN THE TRUCK AND A CAR BACKED OUT AND STOPPED FORCING ME TO USE TWO FEET ON THE BRAKE TO TRY TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IF THE CAR HAD NOT MOVED I WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY HIT HIM. I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE . I HAVE SAID AS MUCH IN A SATISFACTION QUESTIONARE TO CHEVY AND ASKED FOR A WRITTEN RESPONSE AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ONE. I AM DISMAYED TO NOT FIND MY VEHICLE IN THE RECALL OF GM VEHICLES. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THAT OF THOSE AROUND ME WHEN I AM OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. I HOPE THE PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK IS RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. *AK

NHTSA ID
708975
Incident
Mar 1, 1996
Visibility
Filed Jan 7, 1998

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELS WIPERS. GENERALLY HAPPENS IN A RAIN STORM AND AFFECTS VISIBILITY.

NHTSA ID
533792
Incident
Jan 7, 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.

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 K20 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998100—
1997400—
1996Viewing230—
1995231—
1994361—
1993522—
1992031—
1991323—
1990042—
1989032—
1988163—
1987203—
1986014—
1985114—
1984012—
1983012—
1982122—
1981012—
1980121—
1979031—
1978031—
1977021—
1976021—
1975011—
1974121—
1973011—
1972011—
1971031—
1970011—
1969030—
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.