The 1978 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 55,880 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the tires. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC80V0140001980-02-2646,556 affected
Defect
THE HYDRAULIC STEEL BRAKE TUBE CONNECTING THE BRAKE HOSE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT TOP WHEEL CYLINDER MAY DEVELOP A FRACTURE IN THE BEND NEXT TO THE WHEEL CYLINDER. THIS FRACTURE RESULTS FROM PERIODIC HIGH STRESSES IN THE TUBE DUE TO "BRAKE CHATTER" WHICH CAN OCCUR DURING CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE TUBES AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
A MISROUTING OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY EXIST. AS A RESULT, THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE INSULATION COULD BE DAMAGED FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD HEAT. THE WIRE IN THE CABLE MAY THEN CONTACT AND DAMAGE THE METAL BRAKE TUBE.
Remedy
ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MISROUTING AND POSSIBLE HEAT DAMAGE TO THE INSULATION. IF NECESSARY, THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE WILL BE REPLACED OR REROUTED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC80V0170001980-02-26850 affected
Defect
DURING TESTING OF THE FIRE APPARATUS, EXTREME HEAT GENERATED FROM THE RIGHT SIDE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE HOSE AT THE FRAME FITTING. THIS COULD CAUSE A LEAK IN THE FRONT AXLE HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSTALL AN EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD AT THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME TO BRAKE HOSE FITTING AND REPLACE FRONT BRAKE HOSES AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Complaints by component
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
1
1injuries
Total complaints3
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“While timing the engine on my truck the flex fan broke apart and hit me in the head just missing my eye. The blade cut a pretty good chunk out of my forehead. I am lucky to be alive. I believe the nthsa should do a full recall on this item. I was suprised to find out about all of the previous…”
“Tread separated from tire. Tire is still in our possession.( dot number: vdxvatc508 )”
“Tread separated from tire. Tire is still in our possession.( dot number: vdxvatc508 )”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP92016 Opened 1992-08-17 · closed 1992-12-08
FUEL TANK POSITION
FUEL TANK POSITION
InvestigationDP96003 Opened 1996-01-02 · closed 1996-02-09
GAS TANK GUARD
Mr. Chevedden petition the agency requesting a defect investigation that would resultin the retrofitting of a low cost gas tank guard on all 1973-87 Chevrolet and GMC CK pickup trucks to prevent fires in a side impact
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1978 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.