1980 Chevrolet C20 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE…
What could happen: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
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 1980 C20.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07E088000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-890-2075.
- 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: EQUIPMENT
Summary: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. FATIGUE CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER HOUSING. THIS MAY CAUSE A VACUUM LEAK AND REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BRAKES. AFTER PROLONGED USE, THE CRACKS MAY DEVELOP TO THE EXTENT THAT THE BOOSTER MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
What could happen:
The fix: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER. THOSE WITHOUT CRACKS WILL HAVE A SUPPORT BRACE INSTALLED. THOSE WITH EVIDENCE OF CRACKING WILL HAVE A NEW BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER AND SUPPORT BRACE INSTALLED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE.
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 1980 C20.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 81V010000.
- 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: FATIGUE CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER HOUSING. THIS MAY CAUSE A VACUUM LEAK AND REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BRAKES. AFTER PROLONGED USE, THE CRACKS MAY DEVELOP TO THE EXTENT THAT THE BOOSTER MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence:
Remedy: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER. THOSE WITHOUT CRACKS WILL HAVE A SUPPORT BRACE INSTALLED. THOSE WITH EVIDENCE OF CRACKING WILL HAVE A NEW BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER AND SUPPORT BRACE INSTALLED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH VACUUM POWER DISC/DRUM BRAKES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER HOUSING.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: SEPARATION WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITYWITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKINGABILITY MAY ALSO LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT, PARTICULARLY IN SITUATIONS WHERE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1980 Chevrolet C20 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Body / structure (2), Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
08/14/1996 · Fuel system · crash
SEAT ADJUSTMENT CONTROLS TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, CAUSING ACCIDENT WHEN DRIVERS SEAT BACK FELL WHEN DRIVER WAS TRYING TO MOVE SEAT FORWARD.
08/14/1996 · Body / structure
POWER DOOR LOCKS PINCH ARM IF RESTING ARM ON DOOR SILL WHEN DRIVER PUSHES DOOR LOCK.