U.S. public vehicle records

1978 Chevrolet P30: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

0 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1978 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

No owner complaints are recorded for this selection. A complaint can name multiple components.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

No usable records for this chart.

No records.

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

No usable records for this chart.

No records.

Pattern summary

There is not enough complaint evidence to summarize patterns.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

78V019000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

Reported: 1978-01-24 (January 24, 1978)

THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MACHINED OVERSIZED IN THE SERRATION AREA WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS WOULD PREVENT THE COUPLING FROM PROPERLY TIGHTENING ON THE SHAFT WHEN THE CLAMP AND PINCH BOLT WERE INSTALLED.

Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SHAFT COUPLING, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

78V205000 · Parking Brake:Indicator Light

Reported: 1978-09-26 (September 26, 1978)

THE PARKING BRAKE SWITCH CONNECTOR CONTAINS ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT MAY BE REVERSED. AS A RESULT, THE LAMP WILL BE ACTIVATED WHENEVER THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON, EVEN THOUGH THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT ENGAGED. THIS CONSTITUTES A NON-COMPLIANCE TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS". THE STANDARD REQUIRES THAT THE INDICATOR LAMP BE ACTIVATED UPON APPLICATION OF THE PARKING BRAKE.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECT THE PARKING BRAKE SWITCH WIRING WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

78V206000 · Equipment:Other:Labels

Reported: 1978-09-26 (September 26, 1978)

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE A BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WARNING WHICH STATES, "WARNING, CLEAN FILLER CAP BEFORE REMOVING. USE ONLY DOT 3 FLUID FROM A SEALED CONTAINER". THIS CONSTITUTES A NON-COMPLIANCE TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS".

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WARNING PLATE WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

78V207000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly

Reported: 1978-09-26 (September 26, 1978)

THE FUEL TANK FUSIBLE BUSHING ELEMENT MAY HAVE MELTED DUE TO EXTREMELY HIGH TEMPERATURES ENCOUNTERED WHEN THE TANKS WERE EXPOSED TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT RAYS DURING CHASSIS STORAGE.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENT PLUG WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

UnavailableUsable mileage0 / 0 records

UnavailableValid incident date0 / 0 records

UnavailableValid filing date0 / 0 records

UnavailableOrdered incident and filing dates0 / 0 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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1998	1999
Parking Brake	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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10226333 · 58,000 mi FAILURE OF AUTO PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM ON CHEVROLET P-30 CHASSIS FOR MOTORHOMES--FAILURE OF SENSOR PRESSURE SWITCH WHICH APPLIES THE PARKING BRAKE, NO PRAWL IN THE TRANSMISSION FOR "PARK"-CAUSING THE PARKING BRAKE, OR EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BE APPLIED WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING--NO MANUAL RELEASE--GM NO LONGER SUPPLIES REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR UNIT MANUFACTURED IN 1993--MANY MOTORHOME OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM--SEE RVFORUM.COM FOR COMMENTS==P-30 AUTO BRAKE=MAJOR COMPONENT FOR SYSTEM RENDERS THE UNIT USELESS WITH NO REPAIR--WHAT GIVES. *TR Look up ODI 10226333 at NHTSA ↗	333.3% ODI 10045288 · 39,934 mi CHEVROLET P-30 MOTOR HOME - FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC PARKING BRAKE. LOSS OF SYSTEM PRESSURE CAUSED SUDDEN LOCK UP OF REAR WHEELS. SINCE ORIGINAL FAILURE OF PRESSURE MAINTENANCE SWITCH (LEAK) I CARRY A SPARE WITH ME AT ALL TIMES. SWITCH HAS FAILED THREE TIMES. THE ACTUATION SWITCH LOCATED NEAR THE BASE OF THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED ONCE AND ALSO CAUSED DRIVE LINE LOCKUP (THIS OCCURRED ON AN INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE BETWEEN CANADA AND THE US CAUSING ME TO BLOCK TRAFFIC FOR CONSIDERABLE TIME). FORTUNATELY, NONE OF THE FAILURES OCCURRED UNDER CONDITI… Look up ODI 10045288 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10142200 THE AUTO PARK BRAKE ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET P30 (WINNEBAGO MOTORHOME) FAILED WHILE IN A MOUNTAINOUS REGION. I VIEWED THE WEB AND FOUND NUMEROUS INCIDENCES SINCE 1995. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO YOU PRIOR. PLEASE HELP RESOLVE THIS MATTER. ALTHOUGH NO FIRE THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE. THANKS. *JB Look up ODI 10142200 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10189213 · 62,000 mi CHEVY P-30 MOTORHOME CHASSIS HYROBOOST STEERING AND BRAKE PROBLEM. HYDROBOOST HAS FAILED TWICE IN SEVEN YEARS. ONE TIME I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN AND THE BRAKES BEGAN POPPING ON AND OFF. A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COSTS THOUSANDS TO FIX. *TR Look up ODI 10189213 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 10226333 · 58,000 mi FAILURE OF AUTO PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM ON CHEVROLET P-30 CHASSIS FOR MOTORHOMES--FAILURE OF SENSOR PRESSURE SWITCH WHICH APPLIES THE PARKING BRAKE, NO PRAWL IN THE TRANSMISSION FOR "PARK"-CAUSING THE PARKING BRAKE, OR EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BE APPLIED WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING--NO MANUAL RELEASE--GM NO LONGER SUPPLIES REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR UNIT MANUFACTURED IN 1993--MANY MOTORHOME OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM--SEE RVFORUM.COM FOR COMMENTS==P-30 AUTO BRAKE=MAJOR COMPONENT FOR SYSTEM RENDERS THE UNIT USELESS WITH NO REPAIR--WHAT GIVES. *TR Look up ODI 10226333 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	222.2% ODI 10011474 PRESSURE SWITCH ON THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM LEAKED AND CAUSED THE AUTO PARK/EMERGENCY BRAKE TO FAIL. *NLM Look up ODI 10011474 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 10278675 · 165,000 mi 1999 CHEVY P-30 ABS ACTIVATION AT VERY LOW SPEED UNABLE TO STOP. BOTH SENSORS REPLACED AT COST OF $350 EACH AND STILL DOES IT. NEW BRAKES AND WHEEL BEARINGS ON FRONT FOR $700 AND STILL DOES IT. DISCONNECTED ABS AND BRAKES WORK FINE. *TR Look up ODI 10278675 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	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.	150.0% ODI 10924298 RE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 91V123000 FOR MY 1990 CHEVROLET P3 I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL DAYS ON THE PHONE WITH GM AND GOTTEN NO HELP. MY VEHICLE IS AT A GM DEALERSHIP IN PHOENIX AND I AM TOLD GM ISN'T AUTHORIZING THEM TO HANDLE THIS SAFETY RECALL, DUE TO AGE. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER. HOW CAN GM DO THIS TO ME? IS IT LEGAL? MY P# IS A MOTOR HOME AND IS AT MIDWAY CHEVROLET, COMMERCIAL TRUCK SERVICE CENTER IN PHOENIX. IT'S SITTING THERE AND I'M NOT SURE IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT I'M BEING REFUSED THE SERVICE PER THE RECALLS. I CAN NOT FIND ANY HELP F… Look up ODI 10924298 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.	111.1% ODI 10558319 · 13,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET P30 TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE DRIVING 20-30 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HALT TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE BRAKE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME WHERE HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE PUMP RESERVOIR SEALS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000. *TR Look up ODI 10558319 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 11483391 · 41,000 mi The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet P30 Truck. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH in stop and go traffic, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his destination. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake fluid needed to be flushed and replaced. The contact had the vehicle repaired. The failure reoccurred after replacing the brake fluid. The vehicle was towed to another … Look up ODI 11483391 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 828408 WHILE COASTING DOWNHILL, STARTED TO DEPRESS GAS PEDAL WHEN ENGINE DIED FOR NO REASON. TOOK TO MECHANICE & INFORMED IT WAS DISTRIBUTOR MODULE & NEEDED REPLACING. THE 2ND TIME WAS TOLD IT WAS TRANSMISSION. STALLING HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. AK ML Look up ODI 828408 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 8014775 WHEN DRIVING 60 MPH, ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY LOOSING ALL POWER, CONTROL AND STEERING WITH NO WARNING. FIVE DIFFERENT DEALERS HAVE LOOKED AT THE MOTORHOME, WORKING SEVERAL FUEL COMPONENTS/TANK AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACED. JBALL FAILURES OCCURRED AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE 90 DEGREES EXCEPT THE LAST. THE ENGINE HAS ALWAYS RESTARTED, BUT CAN TAKE AS LONG AS FOUR HOURS TO DO SO. ALSO THE GAS TANK READS FULL ALL THE TIME, AND THE FULE FILTER WAS REPLACED. JG Look up ODI 8014775 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Parking Brake:Driveline:Hydraulic	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.	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.	222.2% ODI 10001929 THE HYDRAULIC AUTO PARK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPAIRED TWICE. ON SECOND REPAIR SWICHES, RELAYS AND THE PUMP WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXIST, THE PUMP RUNS EXCESSIVELY AND THE LIGHT STAYS ON INTERMITTENTLY. TT NLM Look up ODI 10001929 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% 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.	0Unavailable 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.	133.3% ODI 828408 WHILE COASTING DOWNHILL, STARTED TO DEPRESS GAS PEDAL WHEN ENGINE DIED FOR NO REASON. TOOK TO MECHANICE & INFORMED IT WAS DISTRIBUTOR MODULE & NEEDED REPLACING. THE 2ND TIME WAS TOLD IT WAS TRANSMISSION. STALLING HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. AK ML Look up ODI 828408 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 830769 FLEETWOOD MOTORHOME WOULD ENGAGE IN PARK WHILE DRIVING ON ITS OWN. MOTORHOME STOPPED DEAD. AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. SERVICE BULLETIN ON 1990 P30, CHASSIS NOT ON 94 P30 CHASSIS. AK ML Look up ODI 830769 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10120121 · 50,000 mi DT: USE MOTOR HOME AND THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT WORK PROPERLY. DEALER MADE SURE THAT IT WOULD PASS INSPECTION. DEALER ALSO SAID THAT THE AIR BAGS THAT WERE NOT WORKING WAS NOT A SAFTY ISSUE. CHEVROLET TOLD THAT IS WAS. CALLER DID HAVE THE AIR BAGS REPLACE AT COST. *AK Look up ODI 10120121 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable 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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel	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.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 10673024 THE GM ENGINEERS MUST HAVE BEEN DRUNK OR ON COCAINE WHEN THEY DESIGNED OEM FACTORY DEFECT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANELS WITH STEPPER MOTORS FOR MY 92 SOUTHWIND RV. THESE ARE THE SAME RETARDS WHO DESIGNED AND PUT 12 VDC FUEL PUMPS IN THE GAS TANKS. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER IN MY RV IS AN OEM FACTORY DEFECT FROM DAY ZERO. I WANT IT REPLACED WITH A TRUE ANALOG INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL SO I CAN SEE HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE, WHAT MY ODOMETER READING IS, WHAT MY SPEED IS, OIL PRESSURE, WATER TEMP, BATTERY CONDITION, ETC. *TR Look up ODI 10673024 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.

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
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
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.

ComponentPeriod

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
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1998: 4 complaints · 1999: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1998	3	3	4
1999	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1998	7	2	0
1999	2	0	0

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
Component
No usable records for this analysis.

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.

Search patterns

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.