Chevrolet G20 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
156 owner complaints analyzed
22 distinct recall campaigns
108,266 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1971 to 1999 model years. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 156 complaints (18.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 50 | 32.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 7.7% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 3.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 2.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 29 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 6 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 6 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 29; Electrical System:Ignition: 6; Structure:Body:Door: 6; Tires: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 135 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 | 54 |
| 1996 | 24 |
| 2000 | 22 |
| 2001 | 18 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
1995: 54; 1996: 24; 2000: 22; 2001: 18; 2002: 9; 2003: 11; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2014: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 50 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 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 967088 · 1995-06-16 (June 16, 1995)
THE CLAMP ON THE FRONT FLEXIBLE BRAKE HOSE IS SO TIGHT THAT AFTER TIME WITH RUBBER SWELLING AND CLAMP RUSTING IT STOPS ALL FLOW OF FLUID TO THE BRAKES. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967088 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 718353 · 2000-02-05 (February 5, 2000)
VAN PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN PUTTING ON THE BRAKES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 718353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206580 · 2007-10-22 (October 22, 2007)
I HAD ZANESVILLE JOINT AND CLUTCH MAKE ME A NEW DRIVESHAFT FOR MY 1986 CHEVY G-20 VAN, BECAUSE MY OLD DRIVESHAFT WAS CREATING A VIBRATION. THIS NEW ONE PIECE DRIVESHAFT WAS APROX. 65.5" IN LENGTH FROM CENTER TO CENTER OF U-JOINT, USING 2.75" O.D. BY .065" WALL THICKNESS SEAMED TUBING. I INSTALLED THE NEW DRIVESHAFT THEN WENT FOR A DRIVE TO CHECK FOR ANY VIBRATIONS. THE ORIGINAL VIBRATIONS OCCURRED AT 55MPH WITH THE OLD DRIVESHAFT, AS I HAD EXPLAINED ALL OF THIS TO ZANESVILLE JOINT AND CLUTCH PRIOR TO THEM MAKING ME A NEW DRIVESHAFT. SO I GOT O…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10206580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10186796 · 2007-04-02 (April 2, 2007)
WHILE PULLING AN RV TRAILER AT APPROX. 55 MPH IN POS 3 OF 4 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND VEHICLE AND CONTENTS WERE TOTALLY DESTROYED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF OVERHEATING ON GAUGE AND VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON SCENE AND PREVENTED FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE RV TRAILER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 146,238 miles reported. Look up ODI 10186796 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 760039 · 2002-03-31 (March 31, 2002)
STEERING COLUMN HAS GRADUALLY LOOSENED AT THE TILT MECHINISIM UNTIL THE WHEEL IS VERY LOOSE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 760039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975431 · 1995-11-27 (November 27, 1995)
VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL COLUMN IS ABOUT TO FALL APART IT MOVES BACK AND FORTH DUE TO SOME DEFECTIVE BOLTS. TT CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT ALL STEERING COLUMS HAVE THIS PROBLEM, CONSUMER STATES IT BECOMES NOTICEABLE WHEN CHANIGN GEARS.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975431 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10313723 · 2010-02-24 (February 24, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1979 CHEVROLET G-20. WHILE HIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY WITH THE IGNITION ON, HE NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE HOOD BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY HOT AND FLAMES BEGAN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE FIRE MARSHALL ADVISED THAT THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO ETHANOL FUEL DISSOLVING THE FUEL FILTER, WHICH CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 500,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10313723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973708 · 1995-10-20 (October 20, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING WILL GO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION OR CLOSE POSITION, CAUSING TO STALL OR ACCELERATE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973708 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 972976 · 1995-10-05 (October 5, 1995)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, BATTERY IS CONSTANTLY BEING DISCHARGED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 972976 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 728590 · 2000-08-21 (August 21, 2000)
VEHICLE HAS BEEN AN ELECTRICAL NIGHTMARE - FEEL VERY UNSAFE AND I TRANSPORT LIVE ANIMALS TO SHOWS AS WELL AS EQUIPMENT AND PASSENGERS - VERY CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE FIRE. HAVE HAD TO DRIVE SHIFT INTERLOCK MECHANISM BY STARTING VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND THEN SHIFTING OUT OF GEAR - DEALER HAS ADJUSTED AND REPLACED THIS FEATURE 5 TIMES ALSO REAR BACK UP LIGHTS ARE INTERMITENT AND HIGH REAR BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 728590 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959503 · 1995-02-02 (February 2, 1995)
VAN WAS REAR ENDED AND DAMAGE GAS TANK, VAN BURNED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959503 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 |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 2 |
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 3 |
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 0 |
1983: 2; 1984: 2; 1985: 0; 1986: 0; 1987: 1; 1988: 0; 1989: 1; 1990: 1; 1991: 2; 1992: 2; 1993: 3; 1994: 3; 1995: 3; 1996: 2; 1997: 0; 1998: 1; 1999: 0
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 1 | 0 | Not available |
| 1973 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1974 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1977 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1978 | 1 | 2 | +1 |
| 1979 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 1980 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 1981 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 2 | +1 |
| 1983 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1984 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1985 | 4 | 0 | -2 |
| 1986 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 9 | 1 | +1 |
| 1988 | 5 | 0 | -1 |
| 1989 | 5 | 1 | +1 |
| 1990 | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
| 1992 | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| 1993 | 37 | 3 | +1 |
| 1994 | 21 | 3 | 0 |
| 1995 | 37 | 3 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
| 1997 | 3 | 0 | -2 |
| 1998 | 1 | 1 | +1 |
| 1999 | 2 | 0 | -1 |