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.
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Equipment. 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 reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reports
42,000 miles · Aug 26, 2016
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNSA 1987 CHEVROLET P30. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THEINSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE CONTACTSTATED THAT HEAT EMITTED FROM THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THEWIRING HARNESS BOX WAS EXTREMELYHOT AND THE COVERINGS WERE MELTED. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNSA 1987 CHEVROLET P30. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THEINSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE CONTACTSTATED THAT HEAT EMITTED FROM THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THEWIRING HARNESS BOX WAS EXTREMELYHOT AND THE COVERINGS WERE MELTED. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 88V097000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #10898903
60,000 miles · Jun 19, 2008
Equipment
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 CHEVROLET P30. THE VEHICLE HAS A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR, MODEL RM2852. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REFRIGERATOR WAS NOT COOLING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A RV SERVICE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE COOLANT LEAKED OUT AND THE REFRIGERATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DOMETIC WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 CHEVROLET P30. THE VEHICLE HAS A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR, MODEL RM2852. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REFRIGERATOR WAS NOT COOLING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A RV SERVICE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE COOLANT LEAKED OUT AND THE REFRIGERATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DOMETIC WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE IN MARCH OF 2006 AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN OCTOBER OF 2005. DOMETIC WAS NOTIFIED AGAIN IN JANUARY OF 2007 AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF THE RECALL. DOMETIC WAS NOTIFIED AGAIN 2 TO 3 MORE TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL, WHICH ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE SECONDARY BURNER HOUSING UNIT INSTALLED. DOMETIC WAS EMAILED AGAIN IN MARCH OF 2008 AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE CENTER, AND TO HAVE THE SERVICE CENTER CALL THE RECALL DEPARTMENT. THE RECALL DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER SUPPLYING A REFRIGERATOR OR THE REPAIR PARTS. THEY WERE ONLY SUPPLYING SECONDARY BURNER HOUSING UNITS. THE PART AND RECALL NUMBERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,500. UPDATED 07/16/08.*LJ
SEAT PEDESTALS FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGERS MAY HAVE A LARGER THAN SPECIFIED SLOT IN THE CENTER CHANNEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEAT PEDESTAL MAY NOT MEET LOADING REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210.
Remedy: REPLACE SEAT PEDESTALS WITH PEDESTALS HAVING PROPER SLOT SIZE.
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
4
EA88043 · Fuel Expulsion
Opened Sep 20, 1988 · Closed Sep 26, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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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.===
1987 Chevrolet P30 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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