1988 Chevrolet C20 recalls & complaints

1. Transmission / drivetrain

What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.

What could happen: THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

The fix: INSTALL A LONGER TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE ROUTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 C20.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V016000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. RIGHT AND LEFT HAND BRAKE HOSE MAY CONTACT THE WHEEL OR TIRE IN A FULL TURN.

What could happen: IF THE HOSE MAKES CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL OR TIRE IT WILLEVENTUALLY WEAR THE HOSE TO A POINT OF RUPTURE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF THEFRONT BRAKES. LOSS OF FRONT BRAKES WOULD INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE WHENMINIMUM TIME IS REQUIRED AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

The fix: INSTALL NEW REPOSITIONING BRACKETS FOR THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 C20.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V136000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Steering

What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. ONE OR BOTH OF OUTER TIE ROD NUTS MAY BE LOOSE AND NOT CRIMPED.

What could happen: LOSS OF ONE OR BOTH NUTS COULD LEAD TO TIE RODDISENGAGING FROM STEERING KNUCKLE RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.

The fix: REPLACE TIE ROD AND KNUCKLE AND SET TOE-IN.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 C20.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V126000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Vehicle Speed Control

What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. CRUISE CONTROL CABLE LOCK MECHANISM MAY SELF DISENGAGE CAUSING ERRATIC OPERATION OR THROTTLE NOT RETURNING TO IDLE.

What could happen: ENGINE SPEED WOULD NOT DECREASE; LOSS OF ACCELERATORCONTROL COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

The fix: INSTALL A CLAMP AROUND THE LOCK TAB OF CRUISE CONTROL.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 C20.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V125000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Latches / locks

What's wrong, in plain English: Doors, hood or trunk may open unexpectedly. TRUCKS MAY HAVE CRACKED OR BROKEN DOOR STRIKER NUTS, WHICH DO NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 206.

What could happen: IN A COLLISION, CRACKED OR BROKEN STRIKER NUT COULDALLOW DOOR TO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY AND POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.

The fix: REPLACE EXISTING DOOR STRIKER NUTS.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 C20.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V127000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Engine (2), Seat belts (1), Body / structure (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.