1979 Chevrolet C20 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1979 Chevrolet C20. Check your own VIN below.
- 1967
- 1970
- 1971
- 1972
- 1974
- 1975
- 1976
- 1977
- 1978
- 1979
- 1980
- 1981
- 1982
- 1983
- 1984
- 1985
- 1987
- 1988
- 1989
- 1990
- 1991
- 1992
- 1993
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
- 2000
- 2001
3 safety recalls for the 1979 Chevrolet C20
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Vacuum (service brakes)
Fatigue cracks may develop in the brake vacuum booster housing. This may cause a vacuum leak and reduce the effectiveness of the brakes. After prolonged use, the cracks may develop to the extent that the booster may separate from the vehicle.
Remedy: Vehicles will be inspected for fatigue cracks in the brake vacuum booster. Those without cracks will have a support brace installed. Those with evidence of cracking will have a new brake vacuum booster and support…
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Switch (exterior lighting)
On the involved vehicles the brake stoplight and cruise control switch which is operated by the brake pedal may have been assembled with an incorrect lubricant on the actuating plunger. This can cause the rear brake stoplights to become inoperative and the cruise control, if activated, to stay electrically engaged.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake stoplight and cruise control switch at no cost to owner.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
The front hoses on the involved vehicles may have improperly oriented hose fittings, resulting in a rubbing contact between the right brake hose and the upper control arm of the front suspension or in a twisted left hose resulting in a faulty attachment at the frame fitting. Should either of these conditions exist, they could eventually…
Remedy: The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both front brake hoses at no cost to owner.
No owner complaints on file
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1979 Chevrolet C20. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.
Compare Chevrolet C20 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet C20 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 Chevrolet C20 | 1 | 0 |
| 1970 Chevrolet C20 | 1 | 1 |
| 1971 Chevrolet C20 | 3 | 1 |
| 1972 Chevrolet C20 | 0 | 1 |
| 1974 Chevrolet C20 | 2 | 1 |
| 1975 Chevrolet C20 | 1 | 0 |
| 1976 Chevrolet C20 | 2 | 0 |
| 1977 Chevrolet C20 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 Chevrolet C20 | 0 | 1 |
| 1979 Chevrolet C20 | 3 | 0 |
| 1980 Chevrolet C20 | 1 | 1 |
| 1981 Chevrolet C20 | 1 | 1 |
| 1982 Chevrolet C20 | 1 | 1 |
| 1983 Chevrolet C20 | 0 | 1 |
| 1984 Chevrolet C20 | 0 | 4 |
| 1985 Chevrolet C20 | 0 | 2 |
| 1987 Chevrolet C20 | 0 | 3 |
| 1988 Chevrolet C20 | 5 | 3 |
| 1989 Chevrolet C20 | 2 | 1 |
| 1990 Chevrolet C20 | 3 | 5 |
| 1991 Chevrolet C20 | 1 | 6 |
| 1992 Chevrolet C20 | 3 | 2 |
| 1993 Chevrolet C20 | 3 | 16 |
| 1994 Chevrolet C20 | 8 | 12 |
| 1995 Chevrolet C20 | 6 | 14 |
| 1996 Chevrolet C20 | 4 | 0 |
| 1997 Chevrolet C20 | 2 | 2 |
| 1998 Chevrolet C20 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 Chevrolet C20 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 Chevrolet C20 | 1 | 0 |
Checking a specific 1979 Chevrolet C20
How do I know if my 1979 Chevrolet C20 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1979 Chevrolet C20; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 79V026000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
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.