The 1990 Chevrolet C20 has 3 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (3 complaints).
Problem: UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.
Risk: THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: INSTALL A LONGER TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE ROUTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.
Problem: LOOSE PIVOT BOLT HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ITS SUPPORT BRACKET COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE NUT.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKING ACTIVITY THAT COULDRESULT IN A TRUCK CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: RETORQUE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT BOLTS TO SPECIFICATIONS TO PREVENT LOOSENING.
Problem: 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.
Risk: A HOLE COULD BE RUBBED THROUGH THESE FUEL LINES, ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE NEAR EXHAUST CROSSOVER PIPE; THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Fix: INSTALL NEWLY DESIGNED FUEL LINE ROUTING BRACKET TO PREVENT CONTACT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE FUEL LINES.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine | 3 | — |
| Suspension Rear | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.