Chevrolet EL CAMINO recalls by model year
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
19 distinct recall campaigns
106,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1966 to 1987 model years. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1973 | 4 |
| 1974 | 1 |
| 1975 | 1 |
| 1977 | 1 |
| 1978 | 4 |
| 1979 | 3 |
| 1980 | 3 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 |
1973: 4; 1974: 1; 1975: 1; 1977: 1; 1978: 4; 1979: 3; 1980: 3; 1981: 2; 1983: 1; 1984: 1; 1986: 0; 1987: 1
Year-by-year records
Recall history
19 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
76V160000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
Reported: 1976-10-12 (October 12, 1976) · Model years: 1966
NHTSA campaign record ↗66V032001 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Reported: 1966-01-19 (January 19, 1966) · Model years: 1967
NHTSA campaign record ↗68V085000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1968-09-17 (September 17, 1968) · Model years: 1968
NHTSA campaign record ↗70V143000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1970-12-03 (December 3, 1970) · Model years: 1970
NHTSA campaign record ↗72V275000 · Steering:Linkages
Reported: 1972-11-14 (November 14, 1972) · Model years: 1973
NHTSA campaign record ↗72V303000 · Seat Belts:Front:Warning Light/Devices
Reported: 1972-12-11 (December 11, 1972) · Model years: 1973
NHTSA campaign record ↗73V152000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
Reported: 1973-07-16 (July 16, 1973) · Model years: 1973
NHTSA campaign record ↗74V027000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 1974-02-15 (February 15, 1974) · Model years: 1973
NHTSA campaign record ↗73V250000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Arm
Reported: 1973-12-27 (December 27, 1973) · Model years: 1974
NHTSA campaign record ↗75V032000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
Reported: 1975-02-19 (February 19, 1975) · Model years: 1975
NHTSA campaign record ↗76V132000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Reported: 1976-09-07 (September 7, 1976) · Model years: 1977
NHTSA campaign record ↗78V139000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
Reported: 1978-06-13 (June 13, 1978) · Model years: 1978
THE HUB PORTION OF THE FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK DUE TO HIGH STRESS LEVELS GENERATED DURING ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS. EVENTUALLY, THE BLADE COULD BREAK APART AT THE HUB AND BLADE PIECES COULD BE PROPELLED INTO THE ENGINE. IF THE HOOD IS OPEN WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE FRAGMENTS WOULD BE FREE TO FLY FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗81V025000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1981-02-25 (February 25, 1981) · Model years: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SUPPORTS AND POSITIONS THE REAR AXLE. FRACTURE OF THE BOLTS WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP FREE.
Remedy: BOTH REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗84V149000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
Reported: 1984-11-24 (November 24, 1984) · Model years: 1978, 1979, 1980
REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE AXLES THAT WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE BUFFALO PLANT. IF SO, THEY WILL MAKE AXLE MEASUREMENTS AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE OR MODIFY AFFECTED AXLE COMPONENTS WITHOUT CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗85V048000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Wheel Cylinders
Reported: 1985-04-29 (April 29, 1985) · Model years: 1978, 1979, 1980
EXCESSIVE ENLARGEMENT OF THE WHEEL CYLINDER PILOT HOLE IN THE REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATE COULD ALLOW THE WHEEL CYLINDER TO ROTATE AND CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID LEADS TO LOSS OF REAR BRAKE ACTION, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. FRONT BRAKES WOULD REMAIN OPERATIONAL.
Remedy: ADD A PART TO PREVENT WHEEL CYLINDER FROM ROTATING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗81V036000 · Wheels:Hubcap/Cover
Reported: 1981-03-23 (March 23, 1981) · Model years: 1981
"TX" HEAVY DUTY WHEELS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH LAMINATED STEEL. THE WHEEL DISC MAY FRACTURE AND THE WHEEL AND TIRE COULD PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: THE DEFECTIVE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗83V106000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1983-10-13 (October 13, 1983) · Model years: 1983
THE MASTER CYLINDER REAR BRAKE PIPE, WHICH CARRIES BRAKE FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKES, MAY DEVELOP A LEAK DUE TO EXTENDED CHAFING ON THE AIR CLEANER RESONATOR BRACKET.
Remedy: IF UPON INSPECTION THE DEALER FINDS THAT THERE IS INADEQUATE CLEARANCE, THE PIPE WILL BE REFORMED TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY THREE QUARTER INCH SPACE. ONLY THOSE PIPES SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗84V011000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Reported: 1984-02-06 (February 6, 1984) · Model years: 1984
SOME VEHICLES HAVE BUCKET SEAT BACK LOCKS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 207, ANCHORAGE OF SEATS. IN EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK LOCK MAY NOT FUNCTION.
Remedy: INSPECTION OF SEAT BACK LOCKS WILL BE PERFORMED. LOCKS THAT HAVE BENT, BROKEN OR MISSING HOOKS WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V168000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
Reported: 1987-10-26 (October 26, 1987) · Model years: 1987
MANUAL VALVE LINK IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED.
Consequence: THE VALVE LINK COULD SEPARATE RESULTING IN A GEARSELECTION DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE DRIVER SELECTS. ALSO, CAR COULD BE STARTEDWITH TRANSMISSION IN GEAR ALLOWING VEHICLE TO MOVE IN AN UNANTICIPATEDDIRECTION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE DETENT LEVER LINK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
5 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 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1983 | 1984 | 1986 | 1987 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 870071CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO BALANCE TIRES ON A 1978, CHEVROLET, EL CAMINO. AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT; P205/75R14; DOT# UNAVAILABLE. *AK BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TIRES COULD NOT BE BALANCED AND ARE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BY REPLACING THE TIRES. *YH | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10103622 · 200,000 miCONSUMER NOTICED THAT BUBBLES ACCUMULATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. UNIROYAK, SIZE P205/75R14. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 101191021983 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT AND ENGINE REVVING.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HOWEVER THE REAR WHEELS STARTED TO SPIN. WHEN THE CONSUMER SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. IN JUNE OF 2000 THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED AND AGAIN IN 2004. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE CONSUMER DID GET A PARK NEUTRAL SWITCH FAULT CODE A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE LAST INCIDENT BUT IT WENT OUT. *JB *NM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10042758 · 12,000 miPASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILURE. DEALER DIDN'T CARRY PART ANY MORE. CONSUMER POSED A QUESTION, SINCE IT WAS A SAFETY ITEM, WAS THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE TO FORCE MANUFACTURER TO SUPPLY CONSUMER PARTS? *AK *PH | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Unknown Or Other | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 780363OWNER FOUND OUT ABOUT RECALLS ISSUED DURING 1981, 1984 AND 1985 AND WANTS TO KNOW IF THE MANUFACTURER HAS TO HONOR THE RECALLS. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 101191021983 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT AND ENGINE REVVING.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HOWEVER THE REAR WHEELS STARTED TO SPIN. WHEN THE CONSUMER SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. IN JUNE OF 2000 THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED AND AGAIN IN 2004. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE CONSUMER DID GET A PARK NEUTRAL SWITCH FAULT CODE A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE LAST INCIDENT BUT IT WENT OUT. *JB *NM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | Too few reports for a range | 200,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10103622 · 200,000 miCONSUMER NOTICED THAT BUBBLES ACCUMULATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. UNIROYAK, SIZE P205/75R14. *AK |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | Too few reports for a range | 12,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10042758 · 12,000 miPASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILURE. DEALER DIDN'T CARRY PART ANY MORE. CONSUMER POSED A QUESTION, SINCE IT WAS A SAFETY ITEM, WAS THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE TO FORCE MANUFACTURER TO SUPPLY CONSUMER PARTS? *AK *PH |
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.
1986: 0 complaints · 1987: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 | Tires | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | Unknown Or Other | Vehicle Speed Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 101191021983 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT AND ENGINE REVVING.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HOWEVER THE REAR WHEELS STARTED TO SPIN. WHEN THE CONSUMER SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. IN JUNE OF 2000 THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED AND AGAIN IN 2004. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE CONSUMER DID GET A PARK NEUTRAL SWITCH FAULT CODE A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE LAST INCIDENT BUT IT WENT OUT. *JB *NM |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0 | 1ODI 101191021983 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT AND ENGINE REVVING.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HOWEVER THE REAR WHEELS STARTED TO SPIN. WHEN THE CONSUMER SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. IN JUNE OF 2000 THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED AND AGAIN IN 2004. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE CONSUMER DID GET A PARK NEUTRAL SWITCH FAULT CODE A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE LAST INCIDENT BUT IT WENT OUT. *JB *NM | 0 | 0 | — |
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.