1986 Chevrolet P30 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 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 1986 P30.
- 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. LEFT HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AND COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE LOWER BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE FROM THE CONTROL ARM.
What could happen: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT INA CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The fix: REPAIR OR REPLACE LOWER LEFT CONTROL ARM.
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 1986 P30.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 88V110000.
- 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:LOWER ARM
Summary: LEFT HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AND COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE LOWER BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE FROM THE CONTROL ARM.
Consequence: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT INA CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: REPAIR OR REPLACE LOWER LEFT CONTROL ARM.
Notes: SYSTEM: STEERING/LOWER CONTROL ARM.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1986 Chevrolet P30 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1), Airbags (1), 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)
09/08/2006 · Fuel system · fire
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP. WHILE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS BEING CHANGED, THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO POUR ONE QUART OF GASOLINE OUT OF THE MUFFLER. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL REGULATOR HAD FAILED, PUSHING RAW GASOLINE INTO THE…
05/06/2005 · Airbags
DT: USE MOTOR HOME AND THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT WORK PROPERLY. DEALER MADE SURE THAT IT WOULD PASS INSPECTION. DEALER ALSO SAID THAT THE AIR BAGS THAT WERE NOT WORKING WAS NOT A SAFTY ISSUE. CHEVROLET TOLD THAT IS WAS. CALLER DID HAVE THE AIR BAGS REPLACE AT COST. *AK
02/14/1998 · Engine
LEFT EXHAUST IS TOO CLOSE TO THE OIL FILTER. OWNER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL.