1974 Chevrolet C20 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. 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…
What could happen: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1974 C20.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07E088000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-890-2075.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT
Summary: 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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
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.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control.
What could happen:
The fix:
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1974 C20.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 74V078000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
Summary:
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: CHEVROLET CAMPAIGN NO 74-C-09. POSSIBILITY THAT THE FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARMATTACHING BOLTS, WHICH ATTACH THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO THE FRAME MAY BREAK DUETO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT. IF THIS OCCURS THE FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM WILL BEDETACHED FROM FRAME CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. (CORRECT BY INSPECTINGAND REPLACING BOLTS WITH PROPERLY HEAT TREATED BOLTS).
3. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent.
What could happen:
The fix:
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1974 C20.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 74V065000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
Summary:
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: CHEVROLET CAMPAIGN NO 74-C-14. POSSIBILITY THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEMS MAY HAVEBEEN FILLED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING 2 OR 3 PERCENT WATER. IFTHIS CONDITION EXISTS IT WILL REDUCE THE BOILING POINT OF THE BRAKE FLUID TO APOINT WHERE BRAKING EFFICIENCY MAY RE REDUCED. (CORRECT BY DRAINING, FLUSHINGAND REFILLING WITH UNCONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUED. )
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1974 Chevrolet C20 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
04/29/2001 · Fuel system
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…