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1990 Chevrolet C20Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints about the 1990 Chevrolet C20, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints53 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem3Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 13, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Chevrolet C20 has problems

5 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling33
Fuel system, gasoline11
Suspension10
Vehicle speed control10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1990 Chevrolet C20 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 93V-016 · Feb 1, 1993 · 1,702,880 vehicles

Risk. THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages

Recall 90V-108 · Jun 4, 1990 · 1,962 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKING ACTIVITY THAT COULDRESULT IN A TRUCK CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 90V-015 · Jan 29, 1990 · 68 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1990 vs. every other C20 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the C20 median. How we score

'67'70'71'72'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'00'01
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Chevrolet C20, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITYEA92041 · closed Mar 9, 1995
    No recall
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA94029 · closed Jul 31, 1996
    No recall
In owners' words

What C20 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE AND PULLED OVER, HE OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE UNDERCARRIAGE COMPARTMENT AREA WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE, THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING AND BURNING, THE FIRE WAS POSSIBLY CAUSED BY THE ENGINE OR FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE. (OHIO TRAFFIC…
Complaint 557968 · Dec 7, 2000

Own a 1990 C20?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.