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1978 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

2 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury

WHILE TIMING THE ENGINE ON MY TRUCK THE FLEX FAN BROKE APART AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD JUST MISSING MY EYE. THE BLADE CUT A PRETTY GOOD CHUNK OUT OF MY FOREHEAD. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I BELIEVE THE NTHSA SHOULD DO A FULL RECALL ON THIS ITEM. I WAS SUPRISED TO FIND OUT ABOUT ALL OF THE PREVIOUS INCIDENTS REPORTED TO THE NHTSA ON…

Read full complaint

WHILE TIMING THE ENGINE ON MY TRUCK THE FLEX FAN BROKE APART AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD JUST MISSING MY EYE. THE BLADE CUT A PRETTY GOOD CHUNK OUT OF MY FOREHEAD. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I BELIEVE THE NTHSA SHOULD DO A FULL RECALL ON THIS ITEM. I WAS SUPRISED TO FIND OUT ABOUT ALL OF THE PREVIOUS INCIDENTS REPORTED TO THE NHTSA ON THIS ITEM WITHOUT RESULTING IN A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #747752

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2000
Tires

TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. TIRE IS STILL IN OUR POSSESSION.( DOT NUMBER: VDXVATC508 )

NHTSA ODI #730123

Official recalls

3

80V014000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Feb 26, 1980

THE HYDRAULIC STEEL BRAKE TUBE CONNECTING THE BRAKE HOSE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT TOP WHEEL CYLINDER MAY DEVELOP A FRACTURE IN THE BEND NEXT TO THE WHEEL CYLINDER. THIS FRACTURE RESULTS FROM PERIODIC HIGH STRESSES IN THE TUBE DUE TO "BRAKE CHATTER" WHICH CAN OCCUR DURING CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE TUBES AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

80V016000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Feb 26, 1980

A MISROUTING OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY EXIST. AS A RESULT, THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE INSULATION COULD BE DAMAGED FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD HEAT. THE WIRE IN THE CABLE MAY THEN CONTACT AND DAMAGE THE METAL BRAKE TUBE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MISROUTING AND POSSIBLE HEAT DAMAGE TO THE INSULATION. IF NECESSARY, THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE WILL BE REPLACED OR REROUTED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

80V017000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Feb 26, 1980

DURING TESTING OF THE FIRE APPARATUS, EXTREME HEAT GENERATED FROM THE RIGHT SIDE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE HOSE AT THE FRAME FITTING. THIS COULD CAUSE A LEAK IN THE FRONT AXLE HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL AN EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD AT THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME TO BRAKE HOSE FITTING AND REPLACE FRONT BRAKE HOSES AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP96003 · Gas Tank Guard

Opened Jan 2, 1996 · Closed Feb 9, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Mr. Chevedden petition the agency requesting a defect investigation that would resultin the retrofitting of a low cost gas tank guard on all 1973-87 Chevrolet and GMC CK pickup trucks to prevent fires in a side impact

DP92016 · Fuel Tank Position

Opened Aug 17, 1992 · Closed Dec 8, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL TANK POSITION