Owners have filed 25 complaints
about the 1993 Chevrolet C20 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2001.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 71
Against the median year of the Chevrolet C20. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 41
8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 5Jun 2001
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Chevrolet C20
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE95050Opened 22 Sep 1995Closed 22 Dec 1995SEATS
FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE
FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT BOLTS LOOSEN, FATIGUE, AND FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING.
EA94029Opened 29 Jul 1994Closed 31 Jul 1996ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
AN ALLEGED MALFUNCTION IN THE ATLERNATOR RESULTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMET FIRES.
Recalls on the 1993 Chevrolet C20
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
95V246000
SEATS
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.
94V044001
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
93V016000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Bridgewater, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
APPLIED BRAKES, DID NOT WORK, HAD AN ACCIDENT. TT NO INJURIES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #973365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgewater, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
APPLIED BRAKES, DID NOT WORK, HAD AN ACCIDENT. TT NO INJURIES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #973365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Naples, FL
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.
NHTSA complaint #890053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peoria, IL
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.
NHTSA complaint #879119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nesconset, NY
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.
NHTSA complaint #873645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Joplin, MO
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
IN 21 MONTHS AND 35,000 MILES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BEARINGS 4 TIMES, SEALS 6 TIMES & AXLES 2 TIMES
NHTSA complaint #718636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Joplin, MO
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
NHTSA complaint #718636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Joplin, MO
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
IN 21 MONTHS AND 35,000 MILES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BEARINGS 4 TIMES, SEALS 6 TIMES & AXLES 2 TIMES
NHTSA complaint #718636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Cassas, TN
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.
NHTSA complaint #832749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BEL Alton, MD
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
NHTSA complaint #843027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chester, VA
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.
NHTSA complaint #841805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chester, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #841805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bluewatetr, NM
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.
NHTSA complaint #817311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmont, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
REPLACED BRAKE SHOES FIVE TIMES; ALSO THE ROTORS WERE WARPED ON TWO TO THREE DIFFERENT TIMES, THE RUNNING BOARD LIGHT SHORTED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #807688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmont, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
REPLACED BRAKE SHOES FIVE TIMES; ALSO THE ROTORS WERE WARPED ON TWO TO THREE DIFFERENT TIMES, THE RUNNING BOARD LIGHT SHORTED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #807688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmont, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
REPLACED BRAKE SHOES FIVE TIMES; ALSO THE ROTORS WERE WARPED ON TWO TO THREE DIFFERENT TIMES, THE RUNNING BOARD LIGHT SHORTED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #807688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Niceville, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVERS SHOULDER/LAP BELT FAILS TO ENGAGE, ALLOWING FREE MOVEMENT EVEN W/BRAKE APPLIED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #980935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ryderwood, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
(ABS) POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE ON THE BRAKES, BRAKES NEED TO BE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #979495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ryderwood, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
(ABS) POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE ON THE BRAKES, BRAKES NEED TO BE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #979495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgewater, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
APPLIED BRAKES, DID NOT WORK, HAD AN ACCIDENT. TT NO INJURIES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #973365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgewater, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
APPLIED BRAKES, DID NOT WORK, HAD AN ACCIDENT. TT NO INJURIES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #973365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Green Cove S, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TRUCK W/DIESEL ENGINE WILL STALL WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA complaint #964826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntingtown, MD
SUSPENSION:FRONT
SUSPENSION FRONT AND REAR TOO LIGHT FOR VEHICLE CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF TIRES, VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER TIRE. TT
NHTSA complaint #960561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntingtown, MD
SUSPENSION:REAR
SUSPENSION FRONT AND REAR TOO LIGHT FOR VEHICLE CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF TIRES, VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER TIRE. TT
NHTSA complaint #960561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Islamorada, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION JUMPS FROM PARK TO GEAR WITH NO FOOT ON BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #959979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Islamorada, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
WHILE DRIVING ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, DEALER FIX ONCE. TT
NHTSA complaint #959979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Massapequa, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
INTERIOR FRONT DRIVERS WINDOW GLUED IN PLACE KEEPS RELEASING. RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY. TT
NHTSA complaint #959701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.