1985 Chevrolet C15 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 2 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 100.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
1995: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 965333 · 1995-05-15 (May 15, 1995)
EXPERIENCE FUEL TANK LEAK, IN FOR REPAIR NO HOLE UNDER THE STRAPING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965333 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973947 · 1995-10-26 (October 26, 1995)
RUBBER SHIELD AROUND GAS TANK IS GATHERING DEBRIS DEVELOPING MOISTURE. BOTH TANKS ARE PACKED W/DIRT, RUST, ONE TANK LEAKING. TT AFTER REMOVED OF PLASTIC GUARDS, BOTH TANKS NOW LEAK. THIS BECOME DANGEROUS IF GAS SPILLS AROUND THE CATALATICE CONVERTER. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973947 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 333.3%ODI 809456DRIVING ABOUT 30MPH AND ALMOST HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT. APPLIED BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKES ARE STILL INOPERATIVE. TOOK TO A DEALER AND HE SAID THAT'S THE NATURE OF THE BRAKES FOR THAT YEAR. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 819294BRAKES APPLIED, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, NO RESPONSE FROM ANTI- LOCK BRAKES AND ITS WARNING SYSTEMS. FINALE: VEHICLE CRASH. *AK | 110.0%ODI 805027HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP BY APPLYING THE ABS BRAKESAND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THIS CONSUMER TO REAREND ANOTHER VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN DETAIL *AK | 214.3%ODI 973032ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. TT FAILURE CAUSED ACCIDENT, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *SLC | 617.1%ODI 805308DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE ABS BRAKE FAILED AND TRANSMISSION LOCKED. APPLIED FOOT TO THE BRAKES AND DID NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES, RAN INTO THE BACK OF A VEHICLE . *AK | 24.9%ODI 960628THREE FOURTHS OF THE WAY COMING TO A STOP, TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING SYSTEM, NO RESPONSE FROM THE ANTI LOCK DEVICE. TT | 610.0%ODI 704830WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE MOTOR FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. GM IS AWARE AND HAS A RECALL CAMPAIGN, BUT THAT MY TRUCK VIN NO DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. ALSO ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM THERE SEEMS TO BE A DELAY FROM THE TIME OF BRAKE APPLICATION TO THE ACTUAL MECHANICAL STOPPING OF THE VEHICLE. *AK | 519.2%ODI 809690WHILE DRIVING ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS EXPERIENCED ABS FAILURE DURING PANIC STOP, REARENDED VEHICLE, AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW/STOP, SWERVED TO AVOID COLLISION, THEN WENT INTO A DITCH. IN EACH INSTANCE THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, NO PRIOR WARNING. *AK |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1931.7%ODI 800486THE TRUCK HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT AT 55 MPH AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK | 519.2%ODI 801368TURNING ONTO A ROAD AND WAS HIT ON THE HEAD AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. P LEASE DESCRIBE MORE IN DETAIL.*AK |
| Seats | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 321.4%ODI 843124RECEIVED RECALL LETTER 99V13000. CONTACTED DEALER NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK | 514.3%ODI 966182THE BENCH SEAT IN THE TRUCK WILL NOT ALLOW THE PASSENGER IN THE EXT CAB TO EXIT. TT | 37.3% | 46.7%ODI 713736FRONT DRIVERS SEAT DISPLAYED AN INCREASING WOBBLE FROM ABOUT MID OCT 1999. WHEN THE WOBBLE WORSENED, I ATEMPTED TO TIGHTEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT ANCHOR BOLTS (WHERE SEAT ASSEMBLY ATTACHES TO SEAT FRAME STRUCTURE). AT THAT TIME I FOUND THAT THE FRONT STRUCTURAL CROSS MEMBER OF THE DRIVERS SEAT HAD SHATTERED AT THE MOUNTING BOLT DISPLAYING SEVERE FATIGUE FAILURE. IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR THERE IS HIGH PROBABILITY OF THE SEAT DISLODGING OR COLLAPSING DUE TO COMPROMISED STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. | 27.7%ODI 804155PASSENGER SIDE SEAT, WILL NOT STAY PROPERLY ON THE TRACK, SEAT ROLLS BACK A FORWARD. *AK |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 214.3% | 617.1%ODI 968220MOVED SEAT FORWARD SO THAT PASSENGERS IN REARCOULD GET IN, WHEN RETURNED SEAT TO UPRIGHT POSITION, IT FELL BACK/WOULD NOT SNAP IN UPRIGHT POSITION. *AK | 614.6%ODI 813085WAS DRIVING; CAR TO A STOP; STARTED ACROSS STREET & DRIVER'S/ PASSENGER'S SEATS COLLAPSED BACKWARDS IN EXTENDED CAB AREA (7 TIMES); HAD PROBLEM REPAIRED; DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE BOLTS N SEATS; PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK | 23.3%ODI 802739RIGHT FRONT SEAT WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE, CONTINUES TO MOVE WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 111.1%ODI 978761WHEN BRAKE PEDAL HELD AT A STOP SIGN, PEDAL STARTED TO FADE, RESULTING IN ROLLAWAY, REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER TO NO AVAIL. TT | 18.3%ODI 973665BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING WHILE TOWING A BOAT. TT THE ELECTRO HYDRAULIC VALVE WAS REPLACED WHICH CORRECTED BRAKING PROBLEM FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, BRAKE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *SLC | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 614.6% | 35.0%ODI 976187BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING, EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL FAILURE. TT | 27.7% |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 325.0%ODI 965762THE FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE RELEASE BUTTONS BROKE, THERE IS SOMETHING THAT'S INSIDE OF THE BUCKLE. TT | 225.0% | 110.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.4%ODI 964042THE SEAT DESIGN FOR FRONT LATCH ALLOWS CHILD TO PUT FINGER IN.THE CHILDS FINGER WAS CUT OFF. TT | 23.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 18.3%ODI 978660HAD DRIVEN PREVIOUS, TRUCK ACCELERATED WITH TIRES SPINNING AND BRAKES OVERHEATING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 980665CRUISE CONTROL STICKS, NOT RELEASING BY DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL WHEN TRYING TO DISENGAGE. ON ONE OCCASION TRUCK ACCELERATED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.4% | 35.0%ODI 523971POWER BOOSTER FAILED TWICE. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WILL ENGAGE AUTOMATICALLY. *AK | 311.5%ODI 979887THE THROTTLE STICKS AND DOES NOT SLOW DOWN WHEN RELEASING THE GAS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1100.0%ODI 813368VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS A DELAYED TIME BEFORE PICKING UP THE GEAR WHICH IT IS SHIFTED INTO. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 18.3%ODI 982408THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO TRANSMISSION FULID LEAKING. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 512.2%ODI 809455PULLED VEHICLE UP TO CURB, PUT INTO PARK, GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND CLOSED THE DOOR. WALKED TO FRONT OF TRUCK FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. RAN AND GOT IN VEHICLE, PUT FOOT ON BRAKES AND VEHICLE STOPPED. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 13.8%ODI 807786WHEN DRIVING OVER 45 MPH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT VIBRATES AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A NOISE AND THE TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE AND SHIFTS HARD AT 20 MPH. *AK |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1995: 48 complaints · 1996: 21 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 24 | 45 | 48 |
| 1996 | 14 | 19 | 21 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 44 | 12 | 4 |
| 1996 | 19 | 5 | 2 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.