Total Complaints
2 filings
CHEVROLET K20 · model year
1974 CHEVROLET K20
2 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1974CHEVROLETK20 carries 2 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1974 K20 is visibility:windshield wiper/washer with 1 filings, followed by equipment (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1974 K20, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
2
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20100512VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1974 CHEVROLET 3 1/4 TON K20. THE VEHICLE HAS TRIPLE EDGE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES MANUFACTURED BY JAMAK FABRICATIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CONTINUOUS BUILDUP OF SILICONE ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME EXTREMELY CLOUDY, SIMILAR TO DRIVING THROUGH A DEEP FOG. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ADVISED THAT THE BUILDUP WAS NORMAL AND COULD EASILY BE WASHED FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE ADJUSTER ADVISED THE BUILDUP WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ACCORDINGLY.
20100512EQUIPMENT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1974 CHEVROLET 3 1/4 TON K20. THE VEHICLE HAS TRIPLE EDGE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES MANUFACTURED BY JAMAK FABRICATIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CONTINUOUS BUILDUP OF SILICONE ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME EXTREMELY CLOUDY, SIMILAR TO DRIVING THROUGH A DEEP FOG. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ADVISED THAT THE BUILDUP WAS NORMAL AND COULD EASILY BE WASHED FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE ADJUSTER ADVISED THE BUILDUP WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ACCORDINGLY.
Compare 1974CHEVROLETK20 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1974 CHEVROLET K20 have?▼
The 1974 CHEVROLET K20 has 2 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1974 CHEVROLET K20?▼
The most-complained component for the 1974 CHEVROLET K20 is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EQUIPMENT.
Is the 1974 CHEVROLET K20 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.