Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1982 K20.
The 1982 Chevrolet K20 registers one of the lightest complaint footprints in its documented history, with a single owner complaint filed against it — categorized under Engine & Engine Cooling — alongside two recalls on file. That lone filing contrasts sharply with the rest of the 1990–1998 record, which climbed to a peak of five complaints in 1993 and bottomed out at one in 1998. As a reference entry, the 1982 model year effectively anchors the clean end of the K20's reliability ledger, while researchers examining the line's middle period — particularly 1993 — will find the highest concentration of filed issues in the available dataset.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall width | 79.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 131.5 in |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The federal record begins in 1990, eight years after the 1982 model year, so there are no complaint, recall, investigation or TSB figures available for the target year itself. From 1990‑1996 the data show a modest but variable pattern, with complaints ranging from 0 to 5 per year, recalls fluctuating between 0 and 6, and occasional investigations and TSBs; the peak in regulatory activity occurs in 1994‑1995. After 1996 the trend eases dramatically, culminating in zero complaints, recalls, investigations and TSBs by 1998. Because the 1982 K20 predates this recorded window, its regulatory history cannot be directly assessed, but the generation as a whole shows a rise in issues during the mid‑1990s followed by a sharp decline, suggesting that earlier models may have experienced fewer documented problems. **Takeaway:** With no federal complaints or recalls recorded for 1982 and the overall generation trending toward fewer issues after the mid‑1990s, the 1982 Chevrolet K20 appears to be a relatively low‑risk year to purchase, pending a thorough individual inspection.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
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. Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES, IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.