Chevrolet K30 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 26 safety recalls and 9 owner complaints across 21 model years of the Chevrolet K30 (1971–2000). The most-complained-about year is 1995.

Pick your Chevrolet K30 model year

• 1971
• 1976
• 1977
• 1978
• 1979
• 1980
• 1981
• 1983
• 1984
• 1985
• 1988
• 1989
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995
• 1996
• 1997
• 2000

What Chevrolet K30 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The 1995 model year has the most, with 2.

• Tires2
• Unknown or other1
• Tires: tread/belt1
• Suspension: control arm1
• Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
• Structure: tailgate1
• Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1
• Visibility: motor1

All Chevrolet K30 recalls (26)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Chevrolet K30, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. 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

2. Bead (tires)

   NHTSA 96V117000 Reported July 1, 1996 5,773 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   These tires have bead damage which occured during tire mounting.

   Remedy: Dealers will demount each tire and inspect for bead damage. If bead damage is found, the tire will be replaced.

   Model years: 1995, 1996

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Cooling unit and lines (power train)

   NHTSA 95V026000 Reported February 16, 1995 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Mid/rear assembly (seats)

   NHTSA 93V163000 Reported September 27, 1993 303 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The rear bench seat does not meet the load requirements of FMVSS 207, "seating systems," because the manual latch mechanism on the folding full bench rear seat was attached to the back frame lower cross tube with domed head steel rivets instead of the bolts specified.

   Remedy: The rivets must be replaced with the correct bolts.

   Model years: 1993

10. 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

11. 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

12. Pedals and linkages (service brakes)

    NHTSA 90V108000 Reported June 4, 1990 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 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Shock absorber (suspension)

    NHTSA 87V128000 Reported August 10, 1987 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

18. Rim (wheels)

    NHTSA 85V156000 Reported November 26, 1985 861 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The wheel may develop cracks between the disc and rim. Consequence of defect: if this occurs and is not noticed, the crack could increase around the rim, resulting in separation of the rim from the disc, loss of control and an accident may occur.

    Remedy: Replace wheels having the suspected manufacturing code number.

    Model years: 1985

19. Exterior lighting

    NHTSA 85V019000 Reported February 20, 1985 20 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Certain trucks do not comply with FMVSS 108, "lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment." the trucks were assembled without the roof marker lamps. Consequence of defect: safe operation of the trucks during darkness or reduced visibility would be impaired.

    Remedy: Install roof marker lamps.

    Model years: 1985

20. Hubcap/cover (wheels)

    NHTSA 84V136000 Reported October 26, 1984 305 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    In some 16 x 6 disc wheels a manufacturing defect may cause the wheels to crack in the drop center portion of the rim. If the crack were to occur on a wheel with a tube type tire mounted to it, and continued to go undetected, the wheel could split, resulting in a rapid loss of air from the tire.

    Remedy: The dealer will inspect each wheel and replace it if necessary, without charge.

    Model years: 1984, 1985

21. Exterior lighting

    NHTSA 83V034000 Reported March 22, 1983 101 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Vehicles may have been assembled without the roof marker lamps required for trucks of 80 or more inches overall width. Vehicles do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard 108, "lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment".

    Remedy: Dealer will install roof marker lamps at no charge to owner.

    Model years: 1983

22. Vacuum (service brakes)

    NHTSA 81V010000 Reported January 13, 1981 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

23. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 79V142000 Reported June 6, 1979 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

24. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 78V101000 Reported May 3, 1978 149 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The existing certification labels contain incorrect rim size information. This is a non-compliance to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for vehicles other than passenger cars". The existing labels specify the use of 16.5x6.00 rear wheels instead of the correct 16.5x6.75 wheels.

    Remedy: A new label will be installed indicating the correct size rear wheel. This will be performed free of charge.

    Model years: 1978

25. 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

26. Vacuum (service brakes)

    NHTSA 71V140000 Reported August 19, 1971 136,000 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1971

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.