Model year record

1993 Chevrolet C20 recalls & problems

The 1993 Chevrolet C20 has 3 safety recalls and 16 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (10 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints16filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SeatsDec 21, 1995

Seats

Recall 95V246000675,661 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE SEAT RECLINER TO SEAT FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS ON THESE VEHICLE COULD LOOSEN, FATIGUE AND FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE.
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THIS COULD RESULT IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: 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 BOLTS TORQUED TO A HIGHER SPECIFICATION. THESE CORRECTIONS WILL BE MADE TO BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS.

Fuel system, otherApr 5, 1994

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 94V0440012,595 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THE TANK RUPTURES, PERSONAL INJURY TO INDIVIDUALS IN OR NEAR THE VEHICLE MAY OCCUR.
Fix: 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.

Power trainFeb 1, 1993

Automatic transmission

Recall 93V0160001,702,880 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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.

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.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light	10	2	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly › Axle shaft	6	0	—
SuspensionFront; Rear	2	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring › Interior/under dash	2	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage	2	0	—
VisibilityWindshield	1	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	1	0	—
TiresTread/belt	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS LOCATED TOO FAR BEHIND DRIVER. THIS CAUSES IT TO RUB AGAINST DRIVER'S NECK. THEN, NECK BECOMES CHAFFED. *AK
Feb 28, 2001
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
GEAR SHIFT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STICK/LOCK UP IN PARK. DEALER/MFR'S NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED ON RECALL BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER TO DO IT AGIAN. *YH
Nov 24, 2000
Tires › Tread/belt
WAS TRAVELING 65MPH & HEARD A RUMBLING IN REAR. PULLED OVER & TIRES WERE STILL INFLATED. HAD EXITED THE HIGHWAY & PULLED OVER AGAIN BECAUSE OF NOISE. CHECKED THE TIRES AGAIN & THIS TIME NOTICED TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM RIGHT REAR TIRE. THE WAS BALD. TOOK VEHICLE TO TIRE SHOP & BOUGHT ANOTHER TIRE. DO NOT HAVE TIRE. GENERAL, AMERITECH ST, P225/75R15 WITH 30,000 MILES ON IT.*AK
Oct 23, 2000
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
IN 21 MONTHS AND 35,000 MILES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BEARINGS 4 TIMES, SEALS 6 TIMES & AXLES 2 TIMES
Apr 29, 1999
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
WHEN VEHICLE REACHES 15 MPH AND HIGHER THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *ML
Jul 22, 1999
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE PEDAL, AND BRAKES BUILD UP AND WON'T RELEASE UNTIL OWNER BLEEDS THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS DURING ANY BRAKING SITUATION. DEALER/MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. ALSO, OWNER FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE FLUID GOES THROUGH THE RUBBER FLEX LINE SLOWLY. THE CLAMP AROUND THE RUBBER FLEX LINE IS VERY TIGHT WHICH CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. OWNER REPAIRED BRAKE PROBLEM HIMSELF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Jul 7, 1999
Power train › Automatic transmission
HAD RECEIVED RECALL (#93V016000). HAD THE WORK DONE ON TRANSMISSION. OWNER NOT SATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS. DOES NOT FEEL REPAIRS DONE CORRECTLY. *AK
Sep 26, 1998
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
RECALL 95V246000; AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFOMED ON THE SEAT RECLINER , THE SEAT RECLINER BROKE AND THE DEALER WILL NOT REDO THE RECALL. NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE SEAT RECLINER BEFORE THE RECALL WORK. *AK
Oct 21, 1997

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSEClosedLed to recall 95V246000
FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT BOLTS LOOSEN, FATIGUE, AND FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING.
PE95050 · opened Sep 22, 1995 · closed Dec 22, 1995
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESClosed
AN ALLEGED MALFUNCTION IN THE ATLERNATOR RESULTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMET FIRES.
EA94029 · opened Jul 29, 1994 · closed Jul 31, 1996