MotorDeets

1995 Chevrolet C20: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 1995 Chevrolet C20: 6 recalls, 14 owner complaints.

6vehicle recalls
14owner complaints
3mention a crash
–best combined mpg
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Recalls

6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #95V026000 · 1995 · 13,853 vehicles

What's wrong: Due to a thin case casting, an external transmission leak can occur.

Why it matters: This condition can cause transmission oil to sprayonto the exhaust system and result in a possible vehicle fire.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the transmission case assembly for the involved case casting. If the assembly is involved, the transmission will be replaced.

Seat belts Vehicle recall #95V242000 · 1995 · 40 vehicles

What's wrong: These vehicles were built with front seat belt systems with no energy management loops and May not meet the head injury criteria requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection."

Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupants of these seats May not be properly restrained.

The fix: Dealers will replace the retractor portion of the seat belt assembly(s) with one having the newly designed energy-management twin-loop system.

Seat belts Vehicle recall #95V241000 · 1995 · 630,099 vehicles

What's wrong: If both the lap-belt and shoulder-belt energy management loops on the front seat belt assemblies release at or near the same time, acceleration forces can cause the buckle release mechanism to activate and allow the buckle to separate from the latch.

Why it matters: If the buckle released, the system would fail to provide adequate occupant restraint protection.

The fix: Dealers will remove the stitching that creates the energy management loop in the shoulder belt(s).

Steering Vehicle recall #96V004000 · 1996 · 3,047 vehicles

What's wrong: The steering column upper intermediate-shaft nut May not be torqued to proper specifications. The nut could loosen and detach allowing the through-bolt that secures the upper intermediate-shaft to the lower steering column shaft joint to fall out.

Why it matters: This loose engagement can provide noticeable noise and abnormal steering feeling to the driver and, if left unattended, the steering shafts can separate resulting in a loss of steering control.

The fix: Dealers will torque the suspect fasteners to the proper specifications.

Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #96V057000 · 1996 · 379,004 vehicles

What's wrong: These vehicles were assembled with the throttle cable contacting the dash mat which could bind the throttle. This does not meet with the maximum return times required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 124, "accelerator control systems."

Why it matters: Consequence of non-compliance: the engine speed May not return to idle increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

The fix: Dealers will inspect for adequate throttle cable to dash mat clearance, and if there is insufficient clearance, cut out a portion of the dash mat to provide proper clearance.

Seats Vehicle recall #97V037000 · 1997 · 624,433 vehicles

What's wrong: These vehicles exhibit a condition in which a pinch point exists in the recliner mechanism that can trap and pinch a person's hand or finger(s) when the easy-entry feature is activated.

Why it matters: This pinching can cut the hand or possibly sever the finger(s) without prior warning.

The fix: Dealers will install a protector cover over the recliner mechanism.

1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Seats Equipment recall #96E010000 · 1996 · 2,400 vehicles

What's wrong: The seat recliner to seat frame attaching bolts on these vehicles could loosen, fatigue and fracture, allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: Dealers will remove all foam and/or fabric sandwiched between the recliner assembly and the seat frame, install washers between the seat recliner and the seat frame at each attachment point, and install new attaching bolts torqued to a higher specification. These corrections will be made to both…

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Brakes (hydraulic)4
Body & structure2
Seat belts2
Airbags2
Visibility (wipers, glass)2
Steering1
Electrical1

What owners describe

The 1995 Chevrolet C20 has 14 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 11 C20 model years for complaints (2.7× the average C20 year). Complaints peaked in 1996 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 196,930 miles. Neighboring years: 1994 (12 complaints, 8 recalls), 1996 (0 complaints, 4 recalls).

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1995 Chevrolet C20.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

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FAQ

Does the 1995 Chevrolet C20 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 1995 Chevrolet C20, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 1995 Chevrolet C20 problems?

Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (4), body & structure (2), seat belts (2).

Where can I get a 1995 Chevrolet C20 repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other C20 years

19901991199219931994199519961997199820002001