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: 2 of 3 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.
Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read 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 →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reports
109,978 miles · Sep 8, 2006
Fuel System, GasolineFireInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP. WHILE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS BEING CHANGED, THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO POUR ONE QUART OF GASOLINE OUT OF THE MUFFLER. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL REGULATOR HAD FAILED, P…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP. WHILE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS BEING CHANGED, THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO POUR ONE QUART OF GASOLINE OUT OF THE MUFFLER. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL REGULATOR HAD FAILED, PUSHING RAW GASOLINE INTO THE INTAKE. THE NEXT DAY, NEW FUEL INJECTORS WERE INSTALLED. AND WHEN THE MECHANIC MOVED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, AND WITHIN SECONDS, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE MECHANIC SUSTAINED INJURIES ON THE FACE. THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS MODERATELY DAMAGED. THE PART MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED.
NHTSA ODI #10167667
50,000 miles · May 6, 2005
Air Bags
DT: USE MOTOR HOME AND THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT WORK PROPERLY. DEALER MADE SURE THAT IT WOULD PASS INSPECTION. DEALER ALSO SAID THAT THE AIR BAGS THAT WERE NOT WORKING WAS NOT A SAFTY ISSUE. CHEVROLET TOLD THAT IS WAS. CALLER DID HAVE THE AIR BAGS REPLACE AT COST. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10120121
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
LEFT EXHAUST IS TOO CLOSE TO THE OIL FILTER. OWNER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL.
LEFT HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AND COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE LOWER BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE FROM THE CONTROL ARM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT INA CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: REPAIR OR REPLACE LOWER LEFT CONTROL ARM.
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
6
EA88043 · Fuel Expulsion
Opened Sep 20, 1988 · Closed Sep 26, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
===
PE88016 · Exhaust Manifold Leaks
Opened Jan 14, 1988 · Closed Mar 31, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY:SOME 1981-86 TRUCKS WITH 7.4L ENGINES AND CAST IRON EXHAUSTMANIFOLDS MAY EXPERIENCE A CONDITION WHERE AN EXHAUST LEAK DEVELOPSBETWEEN THE MANIFOLD AND THE CYLINDER HEAD MATING SURFACE CAUSING A NOISECONDITION. MOST OF THE REPORTS (AND ALL OF THE INJURIES AND THEMANIFOLD FIRE) ARE FROM THE P30 MOTORHOME CHASSIS.GM STATES THAT A WARPEDOR CRACKED MANIFOLD WOULD PERMIT SMALL AMOUNTS OF EXHAUST GAS LEAKAGEGENERALLY RESULTING IN NOTICEABLE NOISE AND FUMES.THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDSARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO EXTREME HEAT CONDITIONS (SUCH AS OPERATING UNDER SEVEREENGINE/VEHICULAR LOAD CONDITIONS AND HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES).THEMOTORHOME APPLICATION IS PARTICULARLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS ALLEGED DEFECTSINCE THE VEHICLE IS NEARLY ALWAYS AT OR NEAR THE GVWR OF THE VEHICLE.THEFEW NUMBER OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY ODI FOR A PROBLEM WHICH BEGAN 8 YEARS AGOSUGGESTS THAT THE DEFECT EITHER OCCURS INFREQUENTLY OR IS NOT PERCEIVED ASA SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD.THE SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED TO IDENTIFYTHE HIGH TEMPERATURE PROBLEM AND PROVIDE A REMEDY AGAINST REOCCURRENCE.===
EA88007 · Lower Control Arm
Opened Nov 6, 1987 · Closed Oct 24, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:MANUFACTURER IS IN RECEIPT OFONE COMPLAINT AND FIVE FIELD REPORTS.PRODUCT REPORT ANALYSIS STATES THELOWER CONTROL ARM FROM WAGGONER CORPORATION APPEARS TO HAVE A SMALL RADIUSAT THE TRANSITION OF THE SIDE WALL TO THE BALL STUD NOSE.CURRENT STAMPINGSOURCE, S.K.D., ALSO HAS A SMALL RADIUS IN THE SAME AREA.S.K.D. HASCHANGED THE TRIM TO INCREASE THE RADIUS TO 1 INCH AND PROVIDE ADDITIONALSTRENGTH IN THE BALL STUD AREA.ANALYSIS:FAILURE DATA INDICATES THE LEFT CONTROL ARM AND DIESEL ENGINEAPPLICATION ARE OVER REPRESENTED.ALL KNOWN FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT LOWSPEEDS, OR HAVE BEEN LOCATED AS A RESULT OF AN INCREASE IN THE FREQUENCY OFMAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS.BALL JOINT SEPARATION COULD RESULT IN COLLAPSE OFFRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.ACTION: IR TO GM SENT 11/19/87 CONTACT FLEET OWNERS.===
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:MANUFACTURER IS IN RECEIPT OFONE COMPLAINT AND FIVE FIELD REPORTS.PRODUCT REPORT ANALYSIS STATES THELOWER CONTROL ARM FROM WAGGONER CORPORATION APPEARS TO HAVE A SMALL RADIUSAT THE TRANSITION OF THE SIDE WALL TO THE BALL STUD NOSE.CURRENT STAMPINGSOURCE, S.K.D., ALSO HAS A SMALL RADIUS IN THE SAME AREA.S.K.D. HASCHANGED THE TRIM TO INCREASE THE RADIUS TO 1 INCH AND PROVIDE ADDITIONALSTRENGTH IN THE BALL STUD AREA.ANALYSIS:FAILURE DATA INDICATES THE LEFT CONTROL ARM AND DIESEL ENGINEAPPLICATION ARE OVER REPRESENTED.ALL KNOWN FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT LOWSPEEDS, OR HAVE BEEN LOCATED AS A RESULT OF AN INCREASE IN THE FREQUENCY OFMAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS.BALL JOINT SEPARATION COULD RESULT IN COLLAPSE OFFRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.ACTION: IR TO GM SENT 11/19/87 CONTACT FLEET OWNERS.===
Suspension
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:MANUFACTURER IS IN RECEIPT OFONE COMPLAINT AND FIVE FIELD REPORTS.PRODUCT REPORT ANALYSIS STATES THELOWER CONTROL ARM FROM WAGGONER CORPORATION APPEARS TO HAVE A SMALL RADIUSAT THE TRANSITION OF THE SIDE WALL TO THE BALL STUD NOSE.CURRENT STAMPINGSOURCE, S.K.D., ALSO HAS A SMALL RADIUS IN THE SAME AREA.S.K.D. HASCHANGED THE TRIM TO INCREASE THE RADIUS TO 1 INCH AND PROVIDE ADDITIONALSTRENGTH IN THE BALL STUD AREA.ANALYSIS:FAILURE DATA INDICATES THE LEFT CONTROL ARM AND DIESEL ENGINEAPPLICATION ARE OVER REPRESENTED.ALL KNOWN FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT LOWSPEEDS, OR HAVE BEEN LOCATED AS A RESULT OF AN INCREASE IN THE FREQUENCY OFMAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS.BALL JOINT SEPARATION COULD RESULT IN COLLAPSE OFFRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.ACTION: IR TO GM SENT 11/19/87 CONTACT FLEET OWNERS.===
PE87056 · Lower Control Arm Failure
Opened Sep 8, 1987 · Closed Nov 6, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:MANUFACTURER IS IN RECEIPT OFONE COMPLAINT AND FIVE FIELD REPORTS.PRODUCT REPORT ANALYSIS STATES THELOWER CONTROL ARM FROM WAGGONER CORPORATION APPEARS TO HAVE A SMALL RADIUSAT THE TRANSITION OF THE SIDE WALL TO THE BALL STUD NOSE.CURRENT STAMPINGSOURCE, S.K.D., ALSO HAS A SMALL RADIUS IN THE SAME AREA.S.K.D. HASCHANGED THE TRIM TO INCREASE THE RADIUS TO 1 INCH AND PROVIDE ADDITIONALSTRENGTH IN THE BALL STUD AREA.ANALYSIS:DATA INDICATES 38 OF 40 FAILURES INVOLVE THE LEFT CONTROL ARM,39 OF THE VEHICLES ARE POWERED BY THE DIESEL ENGINE.ALL FAILURES HAVEOCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS, OR HAVE BEEN LOCATED DURING INCREASED FREQUENCYMAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS.SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT FROM THE CONTROLARM COULD CAUSE ONE SIDE OF THE FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE,POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.PROPOSED ACTION:UPGRADE THIS PE TO AN EA.===
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.===
PE87006 · Fuel Spurting
Opened Nov 14, 1986 · Closed Apr 22, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:IT APPEARS THAT THE GASOLINE INTHE FUEL TANKS OF THE CHEVROLET P-30 CHASSIS VEHICLES VOLATIZE INCREASINGTHE PRESSURE WITHIN THE FUEL TANKS.THE FUEL RESERVOIR SYSTEM IS CLOSEDREQUIRING THE GASOLINE VAPOR TO BE REMOVED THROUGH THE CARBON CANISTER ATTHE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.THE CAPACITY OF THE CANISTER TO PROCESS THE GASVAPOR IS LIMITED BY AN ORIFICE IN THE CANISTER INLET LINE (THE ORIFICE ISDESIGNED TO RESTRICT LIQUID GASOLINE FROM ENTERING THE CANISTER).THEFUEL LINES ON THE RAILS PARALLEL TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.WHEN PRESSURE DOES BUILD UP WITHIN THE FUEL SYSTEM, THE FUEL CAP DESIGN DOES NOT APPEARTO ALLOW FOR CONTROLLED PRESSURE RELEASE ALLOWING GASOLINE TO SPEW FROMTHE INLET PIPE.ANALYSIS:WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN PARTICULARLY HOT DAYS (AND/ORHIGH ALTITUDES) THE GASOLINE IN THE FUEL TANKS CAN VOLATIZE IN EXCESS OFTHE CARBON CANISTER CAPACITY ALLOWING PRESSURE TO BUILD IN THE FUEL TANKS.IF THE FUEL CAP IS NOT DESIGNED TO ALLOW CONTROLLED PRESSURE RELIEF DURINGREMOVAL, GASOLINE MAY SPURT OUT OF THE INLET PIPE RESULTING IN A POTENTIALFIRE.PROPOSED ACTION:CLOSE THIS PE ON GM AND OPEN AN ENGINEERING ANALYSISINVOLVING VARIOUS MOTORHOME MANUFACTURERS BUILDING ON THE GM P30 CHASSIS.===
1986 Chevrolet P30 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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