1993 Chevrolet C20 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
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
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1993 C20.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V016000.
- 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: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.
Consequence: THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: INSTALL A LONGER TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE ROUTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.
Notes: SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS WITH 5.0 L, 5.7 L, AND 7.4 L ENGINES AND 4L60,4L60-E, AND 3L80 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. VEHICLES ALTERED BY PAS, INC. HAVE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS THAT CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION, WHICH CRACK THE E-GLASS WRAPPING. THIS STRESS CORROSION CRACKING CAN LEAD TO TANK RUPTURES.
What could happen: IF THE TANK RUPTURES, PERSONAL INJURY TO INDIVIDUALS IN OR NEAR THE VEHICLE MAY OCCUR.
The fix: GM IS OFFERING TO EXCHANGE THESE VEHICLES WITH A COMPARABLY EQUIPPED 1994 GASOLINE 1/2 OR 3/4 TON GM PICKUP. IF THE OWNER CHOOSES NOT TO EXCHANGE THE NATURAL GAS VEHICLE, GM WILL REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE.
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 1993 C20.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 94V044001.
- 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: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Summary: VEHICLES ALTERED BY PAS, INC. HAVE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS THAT CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION, WHICH CRACK THE E-GLASS WRAPPING. THIS STRESS CORROSION CRACKING CAN LEAD TO TANK RUPTURES.
Consequence: IF THE TANK RUPTURES, PERSONAL INJURY TO INDIVIDUALS IN OR NEAR THE VEHICLE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: GM IS OFFERING TO EXCHANGE THESE VEHICLES WITH A COMPARABLY EQUIPPED 1994 GASOLINE 1/2 OR 3/4 TON GM PICKUP. IF THE OWNER CHOOSES NOT TO EXCHANGE THE NATURAL GAS VEHICLE, GM WILL REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL; CNG; TANKS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT, 2 WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED TO RUN ON COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS. WARNING: ALL TRUCKS SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM SERVICE AND THE ENGINE RUN UNTIL THE GAS GAUGE READS BELOW ONE-QUARTER TANK. NO INSPECTION SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN. CONTACT GENERAL MOTORS AT THE TELEPHONE NUMBER BELOW FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT GENERAL MOTORS CONSOLIDATED FLEET SERVICE OPERATIONS (CHEVROLET) AT1-800-334-7000, OR CONTACT GMC TRUCK AT 1-800-462-7000. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
3. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. THE SEAT RECLINER TO SEAT FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS ON THESE VEHICLE COULD LOOSEN, FATIGUE AND FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE.
What could happen: 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 fix: 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 PASSE…
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 1993 C20.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V246000.
- 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: SEATS
Summary: THE SEAT RECLINER TO SEAT FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS ON THESE VEHICLE COULD LOOSEN, FATIGUE AND FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT TRACK ANCHORS AND SEAT. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP EXTENDED CAB TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT HIGH-BACK BUCKET SEATS OR 60/40 SPLIT BENCH SEATS. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1993 Chevrolet C20 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (7), Hydraulic (7), Transmission / drivetrain (4), Seat belts (2), Electrical system (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/08/2001 · Seat belts
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS LOCATED TOO FAR BEHIND DRIVER. THIS CAUSES IT TO RUB AGAINST DRIVER'S NECK. THEN, NECK BECOMES CHAFFED. *AK
01/26/2001 · Transmission / drivetrain
GEAR SHIFT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STICK/LOCK UP IN PARK. DEALER/MFR'S NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED ON RECALL BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER TO DO IT AGIAN. *YH
10/23/2000 · Wheels / tires
WAS TRAVELING 65MPH & HEARD A RUMBLING IN REAR. PULLED OVER & TIRES WERE STILL INFLATED. HAD EXITED THE HIGHWAY & PULLED OVER AGAIN BECAUSE OF NOISE. CHECKED THE TIRES AGAIN & THIS TIME NOTICED TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM RIGHT REAR TIRE. THE WAS BALD. TOOK VEHICLE TO TIRE SHOP & BOUGHT ANOTHER TIRE. DO NOT HAVE TIRE. GENERAL, AMERITECH ST, P225/75R15 WITH…
02/12/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain
IN 21 MONTHS AND 35,000 MILES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BEARINGS 4 TIMES, SEALS 6 TIMES & AXLES 2 TIMES
07/22/1999 · Brakes
WHEN VEHICLE REACHES 15 MPH AND HIGHER THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *ML
07/07/1999 · Brakes
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE PEDAL, AND BRAKES BUILD UP AND WON'T RELEASE UNTIL OWNER BLEEDS THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS DURING ANY BRAKING SITUATION. DEALER/MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. ALSO, OWNER FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE FLUID GOES THROUGH THE RUBBER FLEX LINE SLOWLY. THE CLAMP AROUND THE RUBBER FLEX LINE IS V…
12/29/1998 · Transmission / drivetrain
HAD RECEIVED RECALL (#93V016000). HAD THE WORK DONE ON TRANSMISSION. OWNER NOT SATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS. DOES NOT FEEL REPAIRS DONE CORRECTLY. *AK
10/21/1997 · Seats
RECALL 95V246000; AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFOMED ON THE SEAT RECLINER , THE SEAT RECLINER BROKE AND THE DEALER WILL NOT REDO THE RECALL. NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE SEAT RECLINER BEFORE THE RECALL WORK. *AK