1978 Chevrolet Chevrolet truck problems
Chevrolet has produced full sized pickup trucks under many nameplates and platforms. Almost all Chevrolet branded vehicles were also available under the GMC brand as well.
Full-size pickup trucks
Pre-1960 models
Chevrolet C/K
The Chevrolet C/K is a line of pickup trucks and other vehicles manufactured by Chevrolet from 1960 to 2002. It was discontinued and replaced by the Chevrolet Silverado.
Chevrolet Silverado
Introduced in 1998, the Chevrolet Silverado replaced the Chevrolet C/K as Chevrolet's flagship line of pickup trucks.
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Common 1978 Chevrolet Chevrolet truck problems
Common Problems with the Chevrolet Truck 1978
The Chevrolet Truck 1978, also known as the "square body" truck, is known for its durability and longevity. However, like any vehicle, it has its share of common problems that owners have reported over the years. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned issues:
- Rusting: The early square-body Chevy C10 trucks were prone to rusting, particularly in the lower rear section of the front fenders and above the wheelwells on Fleetside trucks.
- Hood Buckling: The passenger side hood of early square-body Chevy C10 trucks was prone to buckling right in front of the hood hinge. This was due to the design of the hood and its hinge system, which was not as robust as it could have been.
- Sidesaddle Gas Tank Defect: The sidesaddle gas tank design used in 1973-1987 Chevy C10 trucks was criticized for being prone to leakage and fire hazards.
- Windshield Wiper Motor Component Failure: The windshield wipers on models made between 1990 and 1999 may stop working intermittently due to a defective wiper motor control board.
- Coolant Leaks or Oil Leaks from Intake Manifold Gaskets: Coolant leaks or oil leaks from intake manifold gaskets were a common problem in 1973-1987 Chevy C10 trucks, particularly in high-mileage vehicles. This was due to the design of the intake manifold and gaskets, which were prone to failure over time.
- Alternator Failure: The alternator in older Sierras and Silverados, including the 1978 Chevy C10, may eventually fail, causing the battery to die and possibly an abnormal noise to occur.
- Internal Distributor Faults: Some 1973-1987 Chevy C10 trucks developed internal faults in the distributor, causing the engine to run roughly or stall. This problem was not as common as some of the others but could be a significant headache for affected owners.
In summary, while the Chevrolet Truck 1978 is known for its durability and longevity, it is not immune to common problems such as rusting, hood buckling, gas tank defects, windshield wiper motor failure, coolant leaks, alternator failure, and internal distributor faults. Owners of these trucks should be aware of these issues and take proactive measures to maintain their vehicles and address any problems as they arise.
What is the best year for a classic Chevy truck?
The 1967-1972 Chevrolet C/K pickup is one of the most reliable classic trucks you can drive. They're durable and reliable enough to be your everyday vehicle — even 50 years after Chevy manufactured them.
How many miles per gallon does a 1978 Chevy truck get?
Based on data from 12 vehicles, 386 fuel-ups and 51,430 miles of driving, the 1978 Chevrolet C10 gets a combined Avg MPG of 11.93 with a 0.35 MPG margin of error.
What trucks did Chevy make in 1978?
1978 C/K Pickup Differences
The biggest difference between the C10 and the C20 was their gross vehicle weight capacity, and the biggest difference between the C-series and K-series pickups was that one had two-wheel drive and the other was four-wheel drive, but there were a few other differences as well.
What is the most reliable Chevy truck model?
Here are some of the most dependable used Chevy pickup trucks:
- 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 comes with an EcoTec3 engine that powers all its trims. ...
- 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. ...
- 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD. ...
- 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. ...
- 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche. ...
- 2016 Chevrolet Colorado.
What trucks did Chevy make in 1978?
1978 C/K Pickup Differences
The biggest difference between the C10 and the C20 was their gross vehicle weight capacity, and the biggest difference between the C-series and K-series pickups was that one had two-wheel drive and the other was four-wheel drive, but there were a few other differences as well.
Are Chevy trucks good quality?
When it comes to reliability, the Chevy Silverado has a reputation for being a dependable vehicle. According to Consumer Reports, the Silverado has a predicted reliability rating of four out of five stars.
How many miles per gallon does a 1978 Chevy truck get?
Based on data from 12 vehicles, 386 fuel-ups and 51,430 miles of driving, the 1978 Chevrolet C10 gets a combined Avg MPG of 11.93 with a 0.35 MPG margin of error.
What's the best Chevy truck made?
10 Best Chevy Pickup Trucks Of All Time
- 1990 Chevrolet 454 SS. ...
- 1947 Chevrolet 3100 Series. ...
- 1959 Chevrolet El Camino. ...
- 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2. ...
- 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS. ...
- 2018 Silverado 1500 Centennial Edition. ...
- 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. ...
- 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 EV.
1978 Chevrolet Chevrolet truck car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet Chevrolet truck problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Tires problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1978 Chevrolet Chevrolet truck vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1978 Chevrolet Chevrolet truck complaints
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1978 Chevrolet Chevrolet truck.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-06-16
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: CKL148Z1087
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 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 INCIDENTS REPORTED TO THE NHTSA ON THIS ITEM WITHOUT RESULTING IN A RECALL.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-08-27
- VIN: CKR248F3514
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. TIRE IS STILL IN OUR POSSESSION.( DOT NUMBER: VDXVATC508 )
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-08-27
- VIN: CKR248F3514
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. TIRE IS STILL IN OUR POSSESSION.( DOT NUMBER: VDXVATC508 )
1978 Chevrolet Chevrolet truck recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1978 Chevrolet Chevrolet truck.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: 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.
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