Chevrolet C10 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 41 safety recalls and 168 owner complaints across 33 model years of the Chevrolet C10 (1961–2001). The most-complained-about year is 1995.

Pick your Chevrolet C10 model year

• 1961
• 1967
• 1968
• 1970
• 1971
• 1973
• 1974
• 1976
• 1977
• 1978
• 1979
• 1980
• 1981
• 1982
• 1983
• 1984
• 1985
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1989
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995
• 1996
• 1997
• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001

What Chevrolet C10 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 168 complaints with NHTSA. The 1995 model year has the most, with 40.

• Visibility: motor26
• Visibility: windshield wiper/washer20
• Fuel system, gasoline: tank assembly19
• Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip13
• Engine and engine cooling: gasoline9
• Seats9
• Seats: recliner6
• Tires: tread/belt4

All Chevrolet C10 recalls (41)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Chevrolet C10, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Labels (equipment)

   NHTSA 01V125000 Reported April 10, 2001 77,485 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: certain 2-wheel drive pickup trucks fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars." the problem was caused by a computer error that resulted in the certification label listing tire size and inflation pressure information that differ from the…

   Remedy: Owners will be provided with a new label and installation instructions. However, a dealer can install the label if the owner so desires. Owner notification began may 31, 2001. Owners who do not receive the label and…

   Model years: 2001

2. Vacuum (service brakes)

   NHTSA 00V222000 Reported August 8, 2000 3,758 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with vacuum power, 4-wheel disc brakes. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems." these vehicles were built with a kinked brake booster vacuum supply hose.

   Remedy: Dealers will re-route the brake booster vacuum supply hose.

   Model years: 2000

3. Webbing (seat belts)

   NHTSA 00V122000 Reported April 27, 2000 279,132 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with the occupant protection requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection."

   Remedy: Dealers will install a tray insert on the top of the passenger side of the instrument panel. The tray insert corrects the noncompliance.

   Model years: 1999

4. Seats

   NHTSA 99V130000 Reported May 20, 1999 59,381 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: extended-cab pickup trucks equipped with high-back bucket seats. The seat recliner to frame attaching bolts can loosen, fatigue, and fracture allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.

   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…

   Model years: 1992

5. Switch (exterior lighting)

   NHTSA 99V025000 Reported February 5, 1999 988,587 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: pickup trucks, crew cabs, utility trucks and sport utility vehicles. These vehicles were built with the polarity of the wiring for the zero adjust brake switch reversed from what was specified on the switch drawing. With the reversed polarity, the contacts in the brake switch can wear out prematurely. The brake…

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake switch and reverse the wiring.

   Model years: 1994

6. Tank assembly (fuel system)

   NHTSA 98V187000 Reported August 10, 1998 55,272 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: crew cab pickup trucks. The front, inner corner of the fuel tank can contact the body sill either intermittently or constantly. This movement can cause a discernible noise and, over time, can wear a hole in or crack the fuel tank at point of contact.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank for wear and, either install a spacer between the fuel tank and the front crossmember, or if necessary, replace the fuel tank.

   Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

7. Windshield wiper/washer (visibility)

   NHTSA 98V150001 Reported July 1, 1998 1,557,585 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.

   Model years: 1994, 1995, 1996

8. Rotor (service brakes)

   NHTSA 98V033000 Reported February 17, 1998 1,137 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. One or both front brake rotor/hubs were built with an out-of-specification gray iron that can fail during the life of the vehicle.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.

   Model years: 1998

9. Seats

   NHTSA 97V176000 Reported October 7, 1997 6,418 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. One or two of the front seat mounting bolts were not installed. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 207, "seating systems."

   Remedy: Dealers will check all seat mounting bolts and install any missing bolts.

   Model years: 1997

10. Seats

    NHTSA 97V037000 Reported March 7, 1997 624,433 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicle description: extended cab and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with reclining seats and the easy-entry feature. These vehicles exhibit a condition in which a pinch point exists in the recliner mechanism that can trap and pinch a person's hand or finger(s) when the easy-entry feature is activated.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a protector cover over the recliner mechanism.

    Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997

11. U-bolt, leaf spring to axle (suspension)

    NHTSA 96V082000 Reported May 7, 1996 16,918 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The four u-bolts nuts on either side of the rear axle were under-torqued.

    Remedy: Dealers will check the u-bolt nut torque and re-torque any loose u-bolts to specification.

    Model years: 1996

12. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 96V057000 Reported April 4, 1996 379,004 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    These vehicles were assembled with the throttle cable contacting the dash mat which could bind the throttle. This does not meet with the maximum return times required by federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, "accelerator control systems."

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect for adequate throttle cable to dash mat clearance, and if there is insufficient clearance, cut out a portion of the dash mat to provide proper clearance.

    Model years: 1995, 1996

13. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 96V004000 Reported January 2, 1996 3,047 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The steering column upper intermediate-shaft nut may not be torqued to proper specifications. The nut could loosen and detach allowing the through-bolt that secures the upper intermediate-shaft to the lower steering column shaft joint to fall out.

    Remedy: Dealers will torque the suspect fasteners to the proper specifications.

    Model years: 1995

14. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 95V243000 Reported December 28, 1995 623 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Certain trucks have fuel rail assemblies with an improperly crimped end retainer clip that results in a fuel leak.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel rail assembly and replace any fuel rail assembly with a julian date code of 95318 through 95338.

    Model years: 1996

15. Seats

    NHTSA 95V246000 Reported December 21, 1995 675,661 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The seat recliner to seat frame attaching bolts on these vehicle could loosen, fatigue and fracture, allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.

    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…

    Model years: 1993, 1994

16. Seat belts: front

    NHTSA 95V241000 Reported December 13, 1995 630,099 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    If both the lap-belt and shoulder-belt energy management loops on the front seat belt assemblies release at or near the same time, acceleration forces can cause the buckle release mechanism to activate and allow the buckle to separate from the latch.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the stitching that creates the energy management loop in the shoulder belt(s).

    Model years: 1994, 1995

17. Seat belts: front

    NHTSA 95V242000 Reported December 13, 1995 40 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    These vehicles were built with front seat belt systems with no energy management loops and may not meet the head injury criteria requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection."

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the retractor portion of the seat belt assembly(s) with one having the newly designed energy-management twin-loop system.

    Model years: 1994, 1995

18. Windshield (visibility)

    NHTSA 94V212000 Reported October 26, 1994 29 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The windshields were installed with incorrect windshield opening pinch-weld-flange primer. This primer will not properly etch the painted surface of the flange, allowing the windshield to separate from the vehicle during a collision. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 212, "windshield mounting."

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the windshield and reinstall it using the correct primer.

    Model years: 1994

19. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 94V044001 Reported April 5, 1994 2,595 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    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.

    Model years: 1992, 1993

20. Suspension: lower arm

    NHTSA 94V060000 Reported April 5, 1994 30,148 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Trucks were assembled with the left-hand lower control arm to frame rear nut tightened below the specified torque. Low torque on this nut may allow the attachment bolt to loosed and subsequently fatigue and break. The bolt breakage can cause the left hand control arm to separate from the frame.

    Remedy: Dealers will tighten the left-hand lower control arm to frame rear nut to the proper torque specification.

    Model years: 1994

21. Seats

    NHTSA 93V216000 Reported December 14, 1993 1,375 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The seats have been assembled without bolts that connect the upper slave hinge to the seat back frame, or without bolts that connect the seat to the seat adjuster. In either case, the vehicles fail to conform to fnvss no. 207, "seating systems."

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect seats for missing bolts and install bolts if required.

    Model years: 1994

22. Pedals and linkages (service brakes)

    NHTSA 93V152000 Reported September 15, 1993 70,154 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The brake pedal push rod retainer is missing, mispositioned or not properly seated.

    Remedy: Inspect vehicles to assure the brake pedal push rod retainer is present and fully seated in its correct position.

    Model years: 1994

23. Automatic transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 93V016000 Reported February 1, 1993 1,702,880 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Unanticipated heat in the transmission can force the transmission fluid out of the vent tube.

    Remedy: Install a longer transmission vent hose routed to the left side of the engine compartment of the vehicle.

    Model years: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

24. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 90V015000 Reported January 29, 1990 68 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    On c and k models, feed and or return fuel lines can contact the automatic transmission shift linkage cordon shaft. In addition, on k models lines may also contact front propshaft. In either case the fuel lines could be damaged resulting in a fuel leak.

    Remedy: Install newly designed fuel line routing bracket to prevent contact and, if necessary, replace fuel lines.

    Model years: 1990

25. Trailer hitches

    NHTSA 89V078000 Reported May 15, 1989 5,863 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    There may be below specified torque on the trailer hitch attaching fasteners, allowing the trailer hitch to move under towing loads.

    Remedy: Correct torque in trailer hitch fasteners to prevent trailer separation.

    Model years: 1989

26. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 87V136000 Reported September 1, 1987 63,196 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Right and left hand brake hose may contact the wheel or tire in a full turn.

    Remedy: Install new repositioning brackets for the front brake hoses.

    Model years: 1988

27. Linkages (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 87V125000 Reported August 10, 1987 8,893 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Cruise control cable lock mechanism may self disengage causing erratic operation or throttle not returning to idle.

    Remedy: Install a clamp around the lock tab of cruise control.

    Model years: 1988

28. Tie rod assembly (steering)

    NHTSA 87V126000 Reported August 10, 1987 2,750 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    One or both of outer tie rod nuts may be loose and not crimped.

    Remedy: Replace tie rod and knuckle and set toe-in.

    Model years: 1988

29. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 87V127000 Reported August 10, 1987 1,521 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Trucks may have cracked or broken door striker nuts, which do not conform to FMVSS 206.

    Remedy: Replace existing door striker nuts.

    Model years: 1988

30. Foundation components (service brakes)

    NHTSA 87V043000 Reported April 1, 1987 32 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Improper size rear brake assemblies were installed.

    Remedy: Replace rear axle brake assemblies with proper size assemblies.

    Model years: 1985, 1986

31. Differential unit (power train)

    NHTSA 83V045000 Reported April 27, 1983 6,204 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The locking screw that retains the pinion shaft in place in the differential could come loose. The pinion shaft turns the gears inside the differential that rotate the drive axles and rear wheels. If the locking screw comes loose, it could damage other components or jam in the gears. If the pinion shaft comes loose, the rear wheels may…

    Remedy: The dealer will replace the differential lock screw at no charge.

    Model years: 1982

32. Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (wheels)

    NHTSA 82V128000 Reported December 14, 1982 1,633 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    On the involved vehicles, the rear brake drum balance weights may interfere with the aluminum wheels. This contact could cause the wheel lug nuts to loosen, leading to wheel stud failure. This could allow separation of the wheel and tire from the vehicle.

    Remedy: The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, modify the rear brake drum balance weights without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1982

33. Fluid (service brakes)

    NHTSA 81V148000 Reported December 14, 1981 17 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The hydraulic brake fluid used in certain vehicles may fail to comply with the brake fluid boiling point requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 116, "motor vehicle brake fluids". Braking efficiency may be reduced and vehicle stopping distance increased, especially when hard or frequent braking raises brake fluid…

    Remedy: Suspect hydraulic brake fluid will be bled from the brake system and replaced with GM delco supreme no. 11 or an equivalent, without charge.

    Model years: 1981

34. Rim (wheels)

    NHTSA 81V118000 Reported October 5, 1981 253 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The spare wheel is one inch wider than the maximum approved rim width and fails to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars".

    Remedy: The spare wheel assembly will be replaced without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1981

35. Accelerator pedal (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 77V178000 Reported October 14, 1977 330,468 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The accelerator pedal rod in combination with the pedal installed on the involved vehicles may cut through the floor pan rubber mat or carpet into the thick resilient insulation pad underneath during heavy or repeated full throttle applications. As a result, the accelerator pedal rod may catch in the mat or carpet, preventing the…

    Remedy: Dealer will install a new accelerator pedal and retainer designed to prevent the accelerator pedal rod from cutting the rubber mat or carpet. This will be performed without charge.

    Model years: 1976, 1977

36. Suspension: front

    NHTSA 77V171000 Reported October 12, 1977 17 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The involved vehicles were assembled with a standard front suspension assembly, instead of the specified heavy-duty front suspension. Operation of vehicle while carrying the maximum rated load may lead to deterioration and eventual failure of front suspension components.

    Remedy: Dealer will install the proper front suspension components without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1977

37. Fluid (service brakes)

    NHTSA 74V065000 Reported April 25, 1974 642 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1974

38. Vacuum (service brakes)

    NHTSA 74V027000 Reported February 15, 1974 1,218,387 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1973, 1974

39. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 70V125000 Reported October 21, 1970 828 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1971

40. Hubcap/cover (wheels)

    NHTSA 70V094000 Reported August 10, 1970 880 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1970

41. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 67V005000 Reported January 23, 1967 2,460 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1967

Other Chevrolet models

• Malibu19,364 complaints
• Silverado 150018,029 complaints
• Impala10,434 complaints
• Tahoe10,032 complaints
• Equinox9,161 complaints
• Silverado8,799 complaints
• Blazer8,192 complaints
• Suburban8,164 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.