VehicleVerdict

1978 Chevrolet P30 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1978 Chevrolet P30 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1978 compare to other P30 years?

P30 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted11 complaints1967: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 3 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 6 complaints1993: 6 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 11 complaints1999: 5 complaints
P30 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all P30 years to avoid →

Does the 1978 Chevrolet P30 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

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 ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

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.

78V205000BrakesSeptember 26, 1978 · 1,252 units

Defect

THE PARKING BRAKE SWITCH CONNECTOR CONTAINS ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT MAY BE REVERSED. AS A RESULT, THE LAMP WILL BE ACTIVATED WHENEVER THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON, EVEN THOUGH THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT ENGAGED. THIS CONSTITUTES A NON-COMPLIANCE TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS". THE STANDARD REQUIRES THAT THE INDICATOR LAMP BE ACTIVATED UPON APPLICATION OF THE PARKING BRAKE.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECT THE PARKING BRAKE SWITCH WIRING WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

78V206000OtherSeptember 26, 1978 · 1,688 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE A BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WARNING WHICH STATES, "WARNING, CLEAN FILLER CAP BEFORE REMOVING. USE ONLY DOT 3 FLUID FROM A SEALED CONTAINER". THIS CONSTITUTES A NON-COMPLIANCE TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS".

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WARNING PLATE WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

78V207000Fuel SystemSeptember 26, 1978 · 2,024 units

Defect

THE FUEL TANK FUSIBLE BUSHING ELEMENT MAY HAVE MELTED DUE TO EXTREMELY HIGH TEMPERATURES ENCOUNTERED WHEN THE TANKS WERE EXPOSED TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT RAYS DURING CHASSIS STORAGE.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENT PLUG WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

78V019000SteeringJanuary 24, 1978 · 22,268 units

Defect

THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MACHINED OVERSIZED IN THE SERRATION AREA WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS WOULD PREVENT THE COUPLING FROM PROPERLY TIGHTENING ON THE SHAFT WHEN THE CLAMP AND PINCH BOLT WERE INSTALLED.

Remedy

DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SHAFT COUPLING, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

1978 Chevrolet P30 — common questions

Is the 1978 Chevrolet P30 reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1978 Chevrolet P30 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1978 Chevrolet P30. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.