RecallMyCar

Chevrolet K20 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 33 safety recalls and 27 owner complaints across 26 model years of the Chevrolet K20 (1967–1998). The most-complained-about year is 1993.

33
safety recalls, all years
27
owner complaints, all years
1988
year with most recalls
1993
year with most complaints

Pick your Chevrolet K20 model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1998 Chevrolet K2001
1997 Chevrolet K2004
1996 Chevrolet K2022
1995 Chevrolet K2022
1994 Chevrolet K2053
1993 Chevrolet K2025
1992 Chevrolet K2030
1991 Chevrolet K2023
1990 Chevrolet K2040
1989 Chevrolet K2030
1988 Chevrolet K2061
1987 Chevrolet K2002
1985 Chevrolet K2001
1982 Chevrolet K2011
1980 Chevrolet K2011
1979 Chevrolet K2020
1978 Chevrolet K2020
1977 Chevrolet K2010
1976 Chevrolet K2010
1974 Chevrolet K2011
1973 Chevrolet K2010
1972 Chevrolet K2010
1971 Chevrolet K2030
1970 Chevrolet K2010
1969 Chevrolet K2030
1967 Chevrolet K2010

What Chevrolet K20 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The 1993 model year has the most, with 5.

All Chevrolet K20 recalls (33)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Chevrolet K20, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Seats

    NHTSA 99V130000 Reported 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

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

    NHTSA 96V082000 Reported 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

  3. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 96V057000 Reported 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

  4. Seats

    NHTSA 95V246000 Reported 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

  5. Cooling unit and lines (power train)

    NHTSA 95V026000 Reported 13,853 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Due to a thin case casting, an external transmission leak can occur.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission case assembly for the involved case casting. If the assembly is involved, the transmission will be replaced.

    Model years: 1995

  6. Windshield (visibility)

    NHTSA 94V212000 Reported 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

  7. Suspension: lower arm

    NHTSA 94V060000 Reported 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

  8. Seats

    NHTSA 93V216000 Reported 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

  9. Pedals and linkages (service brakes)

    NHTSA 93V152000 Reported 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

  10. Rotor (service brakes)

    NHTSA 93V119000 Reported 341,364 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Severe corrosion due to road salt at the joint of the stamped steel center section and the cast outer section can cause the sections to separate.

    Remedy: Replace the front brake rotors with new rotors with a corrosion protection coating. However, if replacement of brake linings are necessary, it will be done at owner's expense since brake linings are normal maintenance…

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

  11. Automatic transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 93V016000 Reported 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

  12. Pedals and linkages (service brakes)

    NHTSA 90V108000 Reported 1,962 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Loose pivot bolt holding the brake pedal to its support bracket could disengage from the nut.

    Remedy: Retorque brake pedal pivot bolts to specifications to prevent loosening.

    Model years: 1990

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

    NHTSA 90V015000 Reported 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

  14. Trailer hitches

    NHTSA 89V078000 Reported 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

  15. Linkages (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 87V125000 Reported 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

  16. Tie rod assembly (steering)

    NHTSA 87V126000 Reported 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

  17. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 87V127000 Reported 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

  18. Shock absorber (suspension)

    NHTSA 87V128000 Reported 312 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Incorrect front shock absorber upper and lower nuts could loosen.

    Remedy: Replace free spinning nuts with torque nuts.

    Model years: 1988

  19. Axle shaft (power train)

    NHTSA 82V081000 Reported 8,881 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The rear axle shafts received improper heat treatment during manufacture. The shaft may break and the tire and wheel assembly could disengage from the vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace both rear axle shaft assemblies, if necessary, free of charge.

    Model years: 1982

  20. Vacuum (service brakes)

    NHTSA 81V010000 Reported 320,677 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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…

    Model years: 1979, 1980

  21. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 79V142000 Reported 15,328 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    Model years: 1979

  22. Arm (steering)

    NHTSA 78V166000 Reported 16 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The front nuts may not have been tightened to specifications. These nuts could loosen during vehicle operation and cause the front hub and rotor assembly to separate from the wheel and tire assembly.

    Remedy: The dealer will tighten the nuts to specifications on all affected vehicles at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1978

  23. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 78V149000 Reported 18 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The involved vehicles do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for vehicles other than passenger cars", in that the tire inflation pressure listed on the labels is too low.

    Remedy: Dealer will install a new label that shows the correct tire pressure information, at no charge to owner.

    Model years: 1978

  24. Accelerator pedal (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 77V178000 Reported 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

  25. Fluid (service brakes)

    NHTSA 74V065000 Reported 642 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1974

  26. Gear box (other than rack and pinion) (steering)

    NHTSA 73V198000 Reported 123,600 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1973

  27. Leaf spring assembly (suspension)

    NHTSA 71V181000 Reported 1,600 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1972

  28. Coil springs (suspension)

    NHTSA 71V139000 Reported 124,000 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1969, 1970, 1971

  29. Vacuum (service brakes)

    NHTSA 71V140000 Reported 136,000 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1971

  30. Wheels

    NHTSA 70V147000 Reported 7,250 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1971

  31. Leaf (suspension)

    NHTSA 70V031000 Reported 5,760 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1969

  32. Wheels

    NHTSA 69V040000 Reported 2,043 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1969

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

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

    Model years: 1967

Other Chevrolet models

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.