Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Chevrolet C20 brakes problems

16 complaint narratives mention brakes terms.

Key facts

79 owner complaints analyzed

42 distinct recall campaigns

100,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1967 to 2001 model years. Data updated: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Braking behavior evidence

16 of 79 complaints match this topic (20.3%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.

Owner report 859857 · 2000-04-07 (April 7, 2000)

FRONT SEAL LEAK CAUSED CAR TO NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THEY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED 3 TIMES. CONSUMER FELT IT WAS THE FLUID DEXTRON 3 THAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. DUE TO OVERHEATED TRANSMISSION, BRAKES NO LONGER FUNCTION CORRECTLY. BRAKELINE FOR REAR BRAKES IS INCHES FROM TRANSMISSION DUE TO DEXTRON 3. *AK *ML

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 859857 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 807688 · 1997-01-15 (January 15, 1997)

REPLACED BRAKE SHOES FIVE TIMES; ALSO THE ROTORS WERE WARPED ON TWO TO THREE DIFFERENT TIMES, THE RUNNING BOARD LIGHT SHORTED OUT. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 807688 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 841805 · 1999-07-07 (July 7, 1999)

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE PEDAL, AND BRAKES BUILD UP AND WON'T RELEASE UNTIL OWNER BLEEDS THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS DURING ANY BRAKING SITUATION. DEALER/MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. ALSO, OWNER FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE FLUID GOES THROUGH THE RUBBER FLEX LINE SLOWLY. THE CLAMP AROUND THE RUBBER FLEX LINE IS VERY TIGHT WHICH CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. OWNER REPAIRED BRAKE PROBLEM HIMSELF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 841805 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 843027 · 1999-07-22 (July 22, 1999)

WHEN VEHICLE REACHES 15 MPH AND HIGHER THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *ML

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 843027 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 959979 · 1995-02-13 (February 13, 1995)

TRANSMISSION JUMPS FROM PARK TO GEAR WITH NO FOOT ON BRAKE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959979 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

79 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

3.8%Usable mileage3 / 79 records
74.7%Valid incident date59 / 79 records
100.0%Valid filing date79 / 79 records
74.7%Ordered incident and filing dates59 / 79 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component19871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199820002001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

425.0%
ODI 841805

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE PEDAL, AND BRAKES BUILD UP AND WON'T RELEASE UNTIL OWNER BLEEDS THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS DURING ANY BRAKING SITUATION. DEALER/MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. ALSO, OWNER FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE FLUID GOES THROUGH THE RUBBER FLEX LINE SLOWLY. THE CLAMP AROUND THE RUBBER FLEX LINE IS VERY TIGHT WHICH CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. OWNER REPAIRED BRAKE PROBLEM HIMSELF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 841805 at NHTSA ↗

325.0%
ODI 536991

ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP SEVERAL TIMES, TWO ACCIDENTS FROM LOCK UP.

Look up ODI 536991 at NHTSA ↗

321.4%
ODI 802468

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WENT OUT AND CONSUMER COULD NOT STOP, HIT THE TAIL END OF ANOTHER PICKUP AND BROKE WINDSHIELD.*AK

Look up ODI 802468 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 879373

ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LOCKING UP. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM . PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

Look up ODI 879373 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
133.3%
ODI 802475

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLES COME LOOSE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK

Look up ODI 802475 at NHTSA ↗

133.3%
ODI 976189

PURCHASE TRUCK NEW THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE NOT LOCKING . TT

Look up ODI 976189 at NHTSA ↗

1100.0%
ODI 979310

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAS FAILED, UNABLE TO LATCH SEATBELT. TT

Look up ODI 979310 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

116.7%
ODI 517412

THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED.

Look up ODI 517412 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

18.3%
ODI 963889

SEAT BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, WILL LOCK UP UNEXPECTEDLY. TT

Look up ODI 963889 at NHTSA ↗

17.1%
ODI 979028

ALL SEAT BELTS IN THE VAN ARE LOOSE . TT

Look up ODI 979028 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Tires:Tread/Belt
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

16.3%
ODI 873645

WAS TRAVELING 65MPH & HEARD A RUMBLING IN REAR. PULLED OVER & TIRES WERE STILL INFLATED. HAD EXITED THE HIGHWAY & PULLED OVER AGAIN BECAUSE OF NOISE. CHECKED THE TIRES AGAIN & THIS TIME NOTICED TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM RIGHT REAR TIRE. THE WAS BALD. TOOK VEHICLE TO TIRE SHOP & BOUGHT ANOTHER TIRE. DO NOT HAVE TIRE. GENERAL, AMERITECH ST, P225/75R15 WITH 30,000 MILES ON IT.*AK

Look up ODI 873645 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags:Frontal
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

18.3%
ODI 960989

HAD A FRONTAL COLLISION, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT

Look up ODI 960989 at NHTSA ↗

214.3%
ODI 980719

DURING IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Look up ODI 980719 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
133.3%
ODI 964051

GAS TANK LEAKS CREATING POTENTIAL RISK OF FIRE. TT

Look up ODI 964051 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

212.5%
ODI 832749

HAD RECEIVED RECALL (#93V016000). HAD THE WORK DONE ON TRANSMISSION. OWNER NOT SATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS. DOES NOT FEEL REPAIRS DONE CORRECTLY. *AK

Look up ODI 832749 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

16.3%
ODI 890053

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS LOCATED TOO FAR BEHIND DRIVER. THIS CAUSES IT TO RUB AGAINST DRIVER'S NECK. THEN, NECK BECOMES CHAFFED. *AK

Look up ODI 890053 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.1%
ODI 602307

SEAT BELTS FALL BETWEEN CHAIR AND FOLDING ARM REST, RENDERING SEAT BELTS USELESS.

Look up ODI 602307 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Structure:Body:Door
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

214.3%
ODI 971898

PASSENGER SIDE DOOR COMES OPEN WHEN MAKING A TURN. TT

Look up ODI 971898 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2000: 0 complaints · 2001: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2000000
2001000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2000000
2001000

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentService Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipSeat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyTires:Tread/BeltAir Bags:FrontalFuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemblyPower Train:Automatic TransmissionSeat Belts:Front:AnchorageStructure:Body:Door
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip—0000000
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly0—000000
Tires:Tread/Belt00—00000
Air Bags:Frontal000—0000
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly0000—000
Power Train:Automatic Transmission00000—00
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage000000—
1
ODI 507506

POWER DOOR LOCKS PINCH ARM IF RESTING ARM ON DOOR SILL WHEN DRIVER PUSHES DOOR LOCK.

Look up ODI 507506 at NHTSA ↗

Structure:Body:Door000000
1
ODI 507506

POWER DOOR LOCKS PINCH ARM IF RESTING ARM ON DOOR SILL WHEN DRIVER PUSHES DOOR LOCK.

Look up ODI 507506 at NHTSA ↗

—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

3 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

3 mentions · 3.8% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 810793

WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED IT WILL SHUT ITSELF OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK

Look up ODI 810793 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 964826

TRUCK W/DIESEL ENGINE WILL STALL WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Look up ODI 964826 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 963502

VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, PE94-091 ACTIVE. TT

Look up ODI 963502 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 2.5% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 564456

CONSUMER FEELS THERE IS INSUFFICIENT SPACE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ENGINE COVER (THIS IS A VAN WITH THE ENGINE COVER LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SEAT). WHEN THE DRIVER REMOVES HIS FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL IT WILL OCCASIONALLY GET CAUGHT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. *YH

Look up ODI 564456 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 880100

AT ANY SPEED WHEN APPLYING BRAKES BRAKING DISTANCE IS NOT WHAT IT SHOULD BE. REAR BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY, LOCK UP. FRONT BRAKES REPLACED TWICE. *AK BRAKES ARE REAL BAD ON WET OR ICY ROADS. *YH

Look up ODI 880100 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 1.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 557968

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 CRASH REPORT) *SLC

Look up ODI 557968 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b