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

1997 Chevrolet C20: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 Chevrolet C20, most recently filed October 1997. Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system.

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.
Recalls 2campaigns 2 seat Source: NHTSA Complaints 2filed Owner reports, 1987–1997 shown Source: NHTSA ODI
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 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 1997 Chevrolet C20. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 97V176000 Filed Oct 7, 1997

GM/FMVSS 207

Seats
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. ONE OR TWO OF THE FRONT SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, A SEAT WITH THIS CONDITION WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL CHECK ALL SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND INSTALL ANY MISSING BOLTS.
Repair progress not yet reported6,418 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 97V176000
Listed for 1997 Chevrolet C20. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 97V037000 Filed Mar 7, 1997

GM/SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM

Seats
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RECLINING SEATS AND THE EASY-ENTRY FEATURE. 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.
Consequence
THIS PINCHING CAN CUT THE HAND OR POSSIBLY SEVER THE FINGER(S) WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTOR COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
Repair progress not yet reported624,433 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 97V037000

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.

Which C20 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Chevrolet C20All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (2)

2 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The fuel system 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 1997 Chevrolet C20, by component (top 2). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 2.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1997 compares with other C20 years

Best and worst C20 years →
3 3 1 5 6 2 16 12 14 2
1987198819891990199119921993199419951997
This year (1997)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 1997 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

Which C20 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →1995 Chevrolet C20 report14 complaints · 6 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

1997 Chevrolet C20 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet C20 have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 97V176000 (seat), 97V037000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1997 Chevrolet C20 problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Fuel system (1), Service brakes (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 1997 C20 compare with other years?

Among the 1987–1997 Chevrolet C20 model years at least five years old, the 1989 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1993 the most (16). The 1997 drew 2. 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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