Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1982 C10.
The 1982 Chevrolet C10, built on the classic C10 platform, is a sturdy two‑wheel‑drive pickup that has earned a reputation for solid construction and durability. In its own year, it recorded only four owner complaints—most of them centered on tires—and was subject to three recalls, underscoring its relative reliability compared to later decades. When viewed against the broader model‑year trend of 1990‑2001, the C10’s early issues pale in comparison to the 1995 peak of 40 complaints and the 1998 low of just one complaint, illustrating a trajectory toward greater reliability in the years that followed.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 185.4 in |
| Overall width | 79.5 in |
| Overall height | 73.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 in |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1982 Chevrolet C10 occupies the low-incidence front end of the federal record, which spans 1990–2001. In the earliest documented years—1990 and 1991—the model generated only 3 complaints annually with 1–2 recalls, significantly below the mid-decade surge that peaked at 40 complaints and 15 recalls in 1994–1995. This trajectory places the 1982 model in a pre-escalation phase, preceding years when complaint volumes reached 9–40 and recalls ranged from 4 to 15 annually. Specific to the 1982 model year, the federal data records isolated single complaints across tires, electrical system, gasoline fuel system, and latches/locks/linkages, alongside one fire complaint and zero crash complaints. As the fleet aged into 2001, complaints dropped to zero while technical service bulletins spiked to 56, indicating shifting maintenance patterns for remaining units. Given its minimal specific complaint profile and its position before the 1994–1995 recall peak, 1982 represents a relatively stable year to purchase, provided prospective buyers verify resolution of the single documented fire-risk incident and inspect systems covered by the late-model TSB surge.
All 4 complaints on record, top 4 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 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.
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE REAR BRAKE DRUM BALANCE WEIGHTS MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ALUMINUM WHEELS. THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS TO LOOSEN, LEADING TO WHEEL STUD FAILURE. THIS COULD ALLOW SEPARATION OF… Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, MODIFY THE REAR BRAKE DRUM BALANCE WEIGHTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
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 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.