Chevrolet C20 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
57 owner complaints analyzed
42 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1967 to 2001 model years. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 57 complaints (10.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 14.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 7.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 5 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Tires:Tread/Belt: 5; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Structure:Body:Door: 3; Tires: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 54 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 21 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 21; 1996: 11; 2000: 9; 2001: 7; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 859857 · 2000-04-07 (April 7, 2000)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 859857 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959979 · 1995-02-13 (February 13, 1995)
TRANSMISSION JUMPS FROM PARK TO GEAR WITH NO FOOT ON BRAKE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 744712 · 2001-04-29 (April 29, 2001)
I NEED TO FIND OUT WHETHER THIS TRUCK WAS RECALLED FOR HAVING SIDE SADDLE FUEL TANKS MOUNTED OUTSIDE THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS ABANDONED IN MY YARD APPROXIMATELY THE SUMMER OF 1996. IN FEBRUARY OF 2000, I FOLLOWED THE REQUIRED PROCEDURES TO OBTAIN TITLE TO THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED THE ENGINE AND ENOUGH OTHER COMPONENTS TO MAKE THE TRUCK ROAD-WORTHY AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT FOR A YEAR. I JUST BECAME AWARE OF THIS FUEL TANK PROBLEM AND NEED TO FIND OUT WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED. I DON'T THINK THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR ANY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 744712 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 558378 · 2000-12-28 (December 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 558378 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11092888 · 2018-05-10 (May 10, 2018)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 93,151 miles reported. Look up ODI 11092888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970593 · 1995-08-16 (August 16, 1995)
VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE DEALER HAD TO TAKE OFF THE WHOLE SYSTEM TO FIX. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964826 · 1995-05-04 (May 4, 1995)
TRUCK W/DIESEL ENGINE WILL STALL WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963502 · 1995-04-10 (April 10, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, PE94-091 ACTIVE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963502 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1987 | 0 |
| 1988 | 5 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 3 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 3 |
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 8 |
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
1985: 0; 1987: 0; 1988: 5; 1989: 2; 1990: 3; 1991: 1; 1992: 3; 1993: 3; 1994: 8; 1995: 6; 1996: 4; 1997: 2; 1998: 1; 2000: 1; 2001: 1
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1970 | 1 | 1 | Not available |
| 1971 | 0 | 3 | +2 |
| 1972 | 1 | 0 | -3 |
| 1974 | 1 | 2 | Not available |
| 1975 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 1976 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 1977 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 | -1 |
| 1979 | 0 | 3 | +3 |
| 1980 | 1 | 1 | -2 |
| 1981 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | 3 | 0 | Not available |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 3 | 0 | Not available |
| 1988 | 3 | 5 | +5 |
| 1989 | 1 | 2 | -3 |
| 1990 | 3 | 3 | +1 |
| 1991 | 4 | 1 | -2 |
| 1992 | 2 | 3 | +2 |
| 1993 | 11 | 3 | 0 |
| 1994 | 10 | 8 | +5 |
| 1995 | 7 | 6 | -2 |
| 1996 | 0 | 4 | -2 |
| 1997 | 1 | 2 | -2 |
| 1998 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 2000 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 2001 | 0 | 1 | 0 |