NHTSA vehicle safety data
1996 Chevrolet K20 Recalls & Complaints
The 1996 Chevrolet K20 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Chevrolet K20. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1996 Chevrolet K20 owner complaints
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Chevrolet K20, describing incidents dated March 1, 1996 to January 7, 1997.
Most-cited components
- Service Brakes 1 complaint
- Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint
Of the 2 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #708975 · Filed
THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE IN MY OPINION DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I HAVE NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WHERE THE TRUCK FAILS TO STOP IN A TIMELY FASHION OR DISTANCE. ONE OF THESE INCIDENTS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR ENDED A VEHICLE SOON AFTER I BOUGHT THE TRUCK. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND…
ODI #533792 · Filed
INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELS WIPERS. GENERALLY HAPPENS IN A RAIN STORM AND AFFECTS VISIBILITY.
Suspension — Rear — Springs — Leaf Spring Assembly — U-Bolt, Leaf Spring to Axle
Reported May 7, 1996 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Potentially affected: 16,918 vehicles
Owners notified April 29, 1996 · Vehicles built March 1, 1996 – April 1, 1996 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
THE FOUR U-BOLTS NUTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE REAR AXLE WERE UNDER-TORQUED.
Safety consequence
VEHICLE USAGE COULD CAUSE THE NUTS TO LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY FALL OFF THE U-BOLT. THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL CHECK THE U-BOLT NUT TORQUE AND RE-TORQUE ANY LOOSE U-BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION.
Notes
SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; AXLE; REAR; U-BOLT. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Vehicle Speed Control
Reported April 4, 1996 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Potentially affected: 379,004 vehicles
Owners notified April 11, 1996 · Vehicles built May 1, 1995 – November 1, 1995 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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."
Safety consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
SYSTEM: FUEL; THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL; FMVSS NO. 124. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS, CAB/CHASSIS, UTILITY AND MULTI-PURPOSE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Seats
Reported March 25, 1996 · VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS
Potentially affected: 2,400 vehicles
Owners notified August 19, 1996
Defect description
THE SEAT RECLINER TO SEAT FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS ON THESE VEHICLES COULD LOOSEN, FATIGUE AND FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
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 THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS.
Notes
SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT TRACK ANCHORS AND SEAT.EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FRONT HIGH-BACK BUCKET SEATS OR 60/40 SPLIT BENCH SEATS PROVIDED BY VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS FOR INSTALLATION IN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP EXTENDED CAB CONVERSION TRUCKS.NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT VSS AT 1-800-742-5043. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Other Chevrolet K20 model years
Check your 1996 Chevrolet K20 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet K20 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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