1988 Chevrolet C20
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › C20 › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Chevrolet C20. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1988 Chevrolet C20. Newest first.
Unanticipated heat in the transmission can force the transmission fluid out of the vent tube.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The vented transmission fluid can catch fire if exposedto a source of ignition.
Remedy
Install a longer transmission vent hose routed to the left side of the engine compartment of the vehicle.
Right and left hand brake hose may contact the wheel or tire in a full turn.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the hose makes contact with the wheel or tire it willeventually wear the hose to a point of rupture, resulting in a loss of thefront brakes. loss of front brakes would increase the stopping distance whenminimum time IS required and could result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Install new repositioning brackets for the front brake hoses.
Cruise control cable lock mechanism may self disengage causing erratic operation or throttle not returning to idle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Engine speed would not decrease; loss of acceleratorcontrol could result in a crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Install a clamp around the lock tab of cruise control.
One or both of outer tie rod nuts may be loose and not crimped.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Loss of one or both nuts could lead to tie roddisengaging from steering knuckle resulting in possible loss of steeringcontrol and possibly a crash.
Remedy
Replace tie rod and knuckle and set toe-in.
Trucks may have cracked or broken door striker nuts, which do not conform to fmvss 206.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In a collision, cracked or broken striker nut couldallow door to open unexpectedly and possibly cause injury to occupants.
Remedy
Replace existing door striker nuts.
Owner complaints
3 complaints1 involved a crash1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Purchase truck new the driver side seat belt buckle not locking . tt
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The V6 motor IS defect the steel cast iron block wears out and the piston goes out burning a lot of oil . tt
- Structure › Body
Vehicle was impact 3:00 position causing loss of control vehicle flip over top came off van causing injuries. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel system integrity
There is no summary currently available
- Poor brake performance
Summary: complaints allege poor braking performance including excessive stopping distance, inability to lock front wheels, or pedal goes to floor. This IS the first year of a new design for these models. Possible insuficient power assist on some vehicles. All trucks are equipped with rear anti-lock brakes.
- Poor braking performance
Summary: complaints allege poor braking performance. This IS the first year of a new design for these models. Possible insuficient power assis on some models. All trucks are equipped with rear anti-lock brakes
- Brake system
There is no summary currently available
- High temp & fuel exp
There is no summary currently available
- Rear brk lights stay on
Summary of information from manufacturer:on some 1988 c/k model trucksthe brake lights have been found to stay on after the brake pedal has beenreleased.in a majority of cases, the stoplamp switch being misadjustedhas been the cause.other possibilities include (a) binding at the eyelet of the brake booster rod and its…
Summary of information from manufacturer:on some 1988 c/k model trucksthe brake lights have been found to stay on after the brake pedal has beenreleased.in a majority of cases, the stoplamp switch being misadjustedhas been the cause.other possibilities include (a) binding at the eyelet of the brake booster rod and its attachment pin and (b) pedal mountingbushings not being properly lubricated.gm believes that if the vehicleis either accelerating or traveling at a constant speed, and the stop lampsremain on, a following driver would likely follow at a greater distancebecause of uncertainty of the actions of the vehicle in front of him.gmconcludes that this IS true because there are no reported accidents whereit IS alleged the brake lights stayed on.to the contrary, brake lightswhich are always on appear are indistinguishable from normal tailightoperation and therefore fail to signal braking/deceleration which IS theonly function of the brake lights.apparent infant mortality supports theposition that no defect trend IS developing.although the alleged defectmay occur at any given time (it does however appear to occur at any giventime early in the life of the vehicle), once the brake lights are stuck inthe on position, the lights remain on until the battery goes dead or thecondition IS otherwise detected and corrected.the alleged defect affectsonly the early production 1988 model vehicles and gm has issued a servicebulletin advising service personnel of the possibility of the allegeddefect and how to remedy the problem. #======
Every Chevrolet C20 model year
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