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: 1 of 6 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 →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Latches/locks/linkages. 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.
2 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
6 reports
140,000 miles · Sep 28, 2009
TiresCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 CHEVROLET G20, WITH COOPER WEATHER- MASTER ST STEEL P225/75/R15 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE DRIVER-SIDE FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. HE REPLACED THE FAILED TIRE WITH THE SPARE TIRE; HOWEVER, 15 MILES LATER, THE DRIVER-SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND CRASH. THE POLI…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 CHEVROLET G20, WITH COOPER WEATHER- MASTER ST STEEL P225/75/R15 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE DRIVER-SIDE FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. HE REPLACED THE FAILED TIRE WITH THE SPARE TIRE; HOWEVER, 15 MILES LATER, THE DRIVER-SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND CRASH. THE POLICE AND EMS WERE NOTIFIED. HE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND EXTENSIVE BRUISING ON HIS ENTIRE BODY. A POLICE OFFICER CONCLUDED THAT BECAUSE THE SIDE-WALLS WERE SPLIT, THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10285529
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2000
Suspension
VAN PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN PUTTING ON THE BRAKES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718353
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THE FRONT BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP. HAD BRAKES REPAIRED DUE TO STRESS ON THE FRONT BRAKES FROM THE BACK BRAKES NOT SELF ADJUSTING. THEY SUPPOSE TO BE SELF ADJUSTING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #817376
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA ODI #519419
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 1996
Latches/locks/linkages
CAN NOT GET OUT OF VEHICLE WHEN LOCKED UNLESS YOU ROLL DOWN WINDOW AND OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA ODI #977543
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 1995
Fuel System, GasolineCrashFireInjury
VAN WAS REAR ENDED AND DAMAGE GAS TANK, VAN BURNED. TT
NHTSA ODI #959503
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
EA88016 · High Temp & Fuel Exp
Opened Jan 19, 1988 · Closed Jun 30, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE87043 · Exhaust System Heat
Opened Aug 7, 1987 · Closed Jan 14, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:ANALYSIS OF THE 65 COMPLAINTSFORWARDED BY GM ON THIS ISSUE REVEALS THAT 15 OF THE COMPLAINTS MAY BESAFETY RELATED.COMPLAINTS IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM AS A RED HOT EXHAUSTSYSTEM OR MUFFLER FAILURE WERE NOT COUNTED.GM ALSO INCLUDED NUMEROUSCOMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO FUEL EXPULSION IN THE MOTOR HOME CHASSIS.THEYWERE NOT COUNTED SINCE THAT PROBLEM IS ALREADY UNDER INVESTIGATION.CONCERNING BRUSH FIRES RESULTING FROM THE HIGH EXHAUST TEMPERATURES, GMSTATESOUR FIELD EXPERIENCE, AS EVIDENCED BY THE LOW NUMBER OF REPORTSPERTAINING TO THE EXHAUST TEMPERATURE, INDICATES TO US THAT OUR CUSTOMERSARE OBSERVING THE PRECAUTIONS CONTAINED IN OUR OWNER'S MANUAL AND AREEXERCISING THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS.ANALYSIS:THE ALLEGED DEFECT ORIGINATES WITH THE GENERATION OF HEAT IN THEEXHAUST SYSTEM.HIGHER EXHAUST TEMPERATURES ARE OCCURRING AS A RESULT OFSTRINGENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) REQUIREMENTS WHICH WENTINTO EFFECT IN 1985 FOR VEHICLES WITH A GVW IN EXCESS OF 8,500 LBS.THEHIGHER EXHAUST TEMPERATURES CAN LEAD TO EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY TEMPERATURESWHICH MAY RESULT IN FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURIZATION AND A HIGHER POTENTIAL FORTHE EXPULSION OF LIQUID FUEL UPON REMOVAL OF THE FUEL TANK FILLER CAP.INADDITION, OTHER SIDE EFFECTS SUCH AS SMOLDERING ITEMS IN PICK UP BEDS,BURNT TIRES AND MUDFLAPS HAVE BEEN REPORTED.PROPOSED ACTION:UPGRADE THIS PE TO AN EA.SINCE SOME MODELS ARE ALREADYBEING INVESTIGATED, AND COMPLAINT DATA IS SPARSE ON OTHER MODELS, THE NEWEA SHOULD BE DIRECTED ONLY TO VEHICLE MODELS C AND K WHICH UTILIZE THEHEAVY DUTY (VEHICLES WITH A GVW IN EXCESS OF 8,500 LBS) EMISSION SYSTEM.===
1985 Chevrolet G20 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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