1971 Chevrolet C20 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Wheels / tires
What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving.
What could happen:
The fix:
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1971 C20.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 70V147000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: WHEELS
Summary:
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: POSSIBILITY THAT TRUCKS MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH EITHER 16 X 6.00 TWO-PIECEOR 16.5 X 8.25 ONE- PIECE WHEELS WHICH HAVE OBVIOUS CRACKS OUTSIDE MOUNTINGBOLT CIRCLE IN WHEEL DISC. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, CRACKS MAY PROGRESS WITHPROLONGED VEHICLE OPERATION AND CAUSE WHEEL FAILURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSSOF VEHICLE CONTROL. (CORRECT BY REPLACING WHEEL WHERE NECESSARY.)
2. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail.
What could happen:
The fix:
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1971 C20.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 70V125000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary:
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: POSSIBILITY THAT CARBURETOR THROTTLE LEVER CAN CATCH UNDERNEATH THROTTLELINKAGE BRACKET AND CAUSE THROTTLE TO BE HELD IN PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION. IFTHIS CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE WILL NOT SLOW DOWN WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL ISRELEASED, MAKING VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. (CORRECT BY MODIFYINGCARBURETOR THROTTLE BRACKET.)
3. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent.
What could happen:
The fix:
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1971 C20.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 71V140000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Summary:
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: CHEVROLET CAMPAIGN NO 71-C-18. GMC CAMPAIGN NO 71-C-10. EXCE PT RPO H-22W/11,000 AXLE. POSSIBILITY THAT POWER BRAKE VACUU M CYLINDER (BOOSTER CAN)AND/OR ATTACHING BRACKETS MAY DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS. IF BRACKET CRACKS,COULD PERMIT EXCESSIVE MO VEMENT OF BRAKE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY. CONTINUEDOPERATION COULD CRACK FRONT HYDRAULIC BRAKE RESULTANT LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID IN PART OF DUAL BRAKING SYSTEM. BRAKING SYSTEM. (CORRECT BY REPL ACING COMPONENTSWHERE NECESSARY. )
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1971 Chevrolet C20 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
10/03/1997 · Electrical system · fire
WHILE DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL WAS ON, SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND UNDERNEATH THE DASH, CAUSING A ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH CAUSED HARM TO THE OCCUPANT. MFR IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT HASN'T FIXED THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER TOLD OCCUPANT NOT TO CONTACT NHTSA. *AK