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 4 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.
Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seats. 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 reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
4 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2007
Power Train
I HAD ZANESVILLE JOINT AND CLUTCH MAKE ME A NEW DRIVESHAFT FOR MY 1986 CHEVY G-20 VAN, BECAUSE MY OLD DRIVESHAFT WAS CREATING A VIBRATION. THIS NEW ONE PIECE DRIVESHAFT WAS APROX. 65.5" IN LENGTH FROM CENTER TO CENTER OF U-JOINT, USING 2.75" O.D. BY .065" WALL THICKNESS SEAMED TUBING. I INSTALLED THE NEW DRIVESHAFT THEN WENT FO…
Read full complaint
I HAD ZANESVILLE JOINT AND CLUTCH MAKE ME A NEW DRIVESHAFT FOR MY 1986 CHEVY G-20 VAN, BECAUSE MY OLD DRIVESHAFT WAS CREATING A VIBRATION. THIS NEW ONE PIECE DRIVESHAFT WAS APROX. 65.5" IN LENGTH FROM CENTER TO CENTER OF U-JOINT, USING 2.75" O.D. BY .065" WALL THICKNESS SEAMED TUBING. I INSTALLED THE NEW DRIVESHAFT THEN WENT FOR A DRIVE TO CHECK FOR ANY VIBRATIONS. THE ORIGINAL VIBRATIONS OCCURRED AT 55MPH WITH THE OLD DRIVESHAFT, AS I HAD EXPLAINED ALL OF THIS TO ZANESVILLE JOINT AND CLUTCH PRIOR TO THEM MAKING ME A NEW DRIVESHAFT. SO I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY TO TEST FOR VIBRATIONS AT 55MPH WITH THE NEW DRIVESHAFT. TO MY SURPRISE I NOTICED A VIOLENT VIBRATION FOLLOWED BY A CONSTANT BANGING, AS I THEN TRIED TO GUIDE THE VEHICLE TO THE BURM OF THE HIGHWAY. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS ONLY HALF OF THE NEW DRIVESHAFT STILL ATTACHED TO MY VEHICLE. AS I LOOKED DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN TOTAL DISBELIEF I SAW THE OTHER HALF OF MY DRIVESHAFT. IT WAS THEN THAT I REALIZED I HAD NOT EVEN TRAVELED HALF OF A MILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. VISUALLY MY NEW DRIVESHAFT WAS DESTROYED ALONG WITH FLOOR BOARDS AND EXHAUST. IT WAS LATER AFTERI INSTALLED MY OLD ORIGINAL DRIVESHAFT THAT I FOUND MORE DAMAGES INCLUDING TRANSMISSION AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I CONTACTED ZANESVILLE JOINT AND CLUTCH AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE OPERATORS FAULT AND THEY DID NOTHING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. I CONTACTED THE OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE OHIO BBB, AFTER ABOUT 2 YEARS OF REBUTTAL, TO RESOLVE MY ISSUE I GAVE A LIST OF DAMAGES AND PRICES OF NEW PARTS, BUT WAS REFUSED AND ONLY OFFERED A REFUND FOR MY DRIVESHAFT. WHICH I DID NOT EXCEPT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10206580
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 1998
Seats
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER'S AND ALL PASSENGERS' SEATS UNEXPECTEDLY RELEASE TO THE RECLNING POSITION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLESASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #827029
Mileage unknown · May 6, 1997
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
BRAKE PADS FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #516961
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 1996
Seat Belts
SEAT BELTS ON CONVERSION VAN ARE TOO SHORT, SEAT BELT WILL NOT HOLD CHILD SEAT, SEAT BELTS WERE PUT IN BY U.S. CONVERSION, DEALER SAID SEAT BELT ARE WRONG SIZE
NHTSA ODI #980734
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.===
1986 Chevrolet G20 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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