The 1982 Chevrolet K20 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 8,881 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE REAR AXLE SHAFTS RECEIVED IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT DURING MANUFACTURE. THE SHAFT MAY BREAK AND THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE VEHICLE.
DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES, IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“While driving the truck between 50-60 mph, driver heard a winding noise, by time driver pulled over to shoulder safely, the truck was on fire in the engine compartment. The truck was totalled. *ak”
There is no summary currently available
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1982 Chevrolet K20 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.