Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1982 Chevrolet C20: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1982 Chevrolet C20, most recently filed August 1982. Owners have filed 1 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
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Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1982 Chevrolet C20. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1982 Chevrolet C20. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 82V081000 Filed Aug 24, 1982

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:SHAFT AXLE

Power train · axle assembly · axle shaft
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THE REAR AXLE SHAFTS RECEIVED IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT DURING MANUFACTURE. THE SHAFT MAY BREAK AND THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES, IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE.
Repair progress not yet reported8,881 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 82V081000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (1)

1 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The seat belts is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1982 Chevrolet C20, by component (top 1). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 1.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1982 compares with other C20 years

Best and worst C20 years →
1 1 1 4 2 3 3 1 5 6
1981198219831984198519871988198919901991
This year (1982)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1982 C20 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All C20 years

Where to next

1982 Chevrolet C20 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1982 Chevrolet C20 have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 82V081000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1982 Chevrolet C20 problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. Seat belts (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 1982 C20 compare with other years?

Among the 1981–1991 Chevrolet C20 model years at least five years old, the 1981 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1991 the most (6). The 1982 drew 1. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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