1978 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck 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. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. DURING TESTING OF THE FIRE APPARATUS, EXTREME HEAT GENERATED FROM THE RIGHT SIDE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE HOSE AT THE FRAME FITTING. THIS COULD CAUSE A LEAK IN THE FRONT AXLE HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSTALL AN EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD AT THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME TO BRAKE HOSE FITTING AND REPLACE FRONT BRAKE HOSES AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
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 1978 CHEVROLET TRUCK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 80V017000.
- 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:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: DURING TESTING OF THE FIRE APPARATUS, EXTREME HEAT GENERATED FROM THE RIGHT SIDE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE HOSE AT THE FRAME FITTING. THIS COULD CAUSE A LEAK IN THE FRONT AXLE HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL AN EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD AT THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME TO BRAKE HOSE FITTING AND REPLACE FRONT BRAKE HOSES AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES, MARK IVENGINES AND FIRE APPARATUS.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: A LEAK IN THE BRAKE HOSE WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OFBRAKING ACTION WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND, POSSIBLY, AN ACCIDENT.
2. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. A MISROUTING OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY EXIST. AS A RESULT, THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE INSULATION COULD BE DAMAGED FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD HEAT. THE WIRE IN THE CABLE MAY THEN CONTACT AND DAMAGE THE METAL BRAKE TUBE.
What could happen:
The fix: ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MISROUTING AND POSSIBLE HEAT DAMAGE TO THE INSULATION. IF NECESSARY, THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE WILL BE REPLACED OR REROUTED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
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 1978 CHEVROLET TRUCK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 80V016000.
- 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: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Summary: A MISROUTING OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY EXIST. AS A RESULT, THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE INSULATION COULD BE DAMAGED FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD HEAT. THE WIRE IN THE CABLE MAY THEN CONTACT AND DAMAGE THE METAL BRAKE TUBE.
Consequence:
Remedy: ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MISROUTING AND POSSIBLE HEAT DAMAGE TO THE INSULATION. IF NECESSARY, THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE WILL BE REPLACED OR REROUTED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES, MARK IVENGINES AND FRAME MOUNTED BATTERIES.SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; BATTERY CABLE, POSITIVE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: A DAMAGED TUBE COULD RESULT IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND ALOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY. THIS COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND CAUSE AVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
3. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE HYDRAULIC STEEL BRAKE TUBE CONNECTING THE BRAKE HOSE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT TOP WHEEL CYLINDER MAY DEVELOP A FRACTURE IN THE BEND NEXT TO THE WHEEL CYLINDER. THIS FRACTURE RESULTS FROM PERIODIC HIGH STRESSES IN THE TUBE DUE TO "BRAKE CHATTER" WHICH CAN OCCUR DURING CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE TUBES AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
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 1978 CHEVROLET TRUCK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 80V014000.
- 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:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: THE HYDRAULIC STEEL BRAKE TUBE CONNECTING THE BRAKE HOSE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT TOP WHEEL CYLINDER MAY DEVELOP A FRACTURE IN THE BEND NEXT TO THE WHEEL CYLINDER. THIS FRACTURE RESULTS FROM PERIODIC HIGH STRESSES IN THE TUBE DUE TO "BRAKE CHATTER" WHICH CAN OCCUR DURING CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE TUBES AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM AND HEAVY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7000 LB. FRONT AXLESAND STANDARD HYDRAULIC BRAKES OR 12,000 LB. FRONT AXLES WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; HYDRAULIC STEEL BRAKE TUBE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: A FRACTURED TUBE WILL RESULT IN A BRAKE SYSTEM FLUIDLEAK AND LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION. THIS COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANDCOULD CAUSE A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Portable jump starter
- 1978 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (2), Engine (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (3)
07/03/2001 · Engine
WHILE TIMING THE ENGINE ON MY TRUCK THE FLEX FAN BROKE APART AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD JUST MISSING MY EYE. THE BLADE CUT A PRETTY GOOD CHUNK OUT OF MY FOREHEAD. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I BELIEVE THE NTHSA SHOULD DO A FULL RECALL ON THIS ITEM. I WAS SUPRISED TO FIND OUT ABOUT ALL OF THE PREVIOUS INCIDENTS REPORTED TO THE NHTSA ON THIS ITEM WITHOUT RESULTING…
09/04/2000 · Wheels / tires
TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. TIRE IS STILL IN OUR POSSESSION.( DOT NUMBER: VDXVATC508 )
09/04/2000 · Wheels / tires
TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. TIRE IS STILL IN OUR POSSESSION.( DOT NUMBER: VDXVATC508 )