Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

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.

Compare model years

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.

1973
4
1974
1
1975
1
1977
1
1978
4
1979
3
1980
3
1981
2
1983
1
1984
1
1986
0
1987
1
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
19734
19741
19751
19771
19784
19793
19803
19812
19831
19841
19860
19871

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

Chevrolet EL CAMINO model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
196601Not available
1967010
1968010
197001Not available
197304Not available
197401-3
1975010
197701Not available
197814+3
197903-1
1980130
198102-1
198311Not available
1984110
198610Not available
198701+1

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 ↗
Explore the data

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.

40.0%Usable mileage2 / 5 records
80.0%Valid incident date4 / 5 records
100.0%Valid filing date5 / 5 records
80.0%Ordered incident and filing dates4 / 5 records

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 complaint heatmap
Component197319741975197719781979198019811983198419861987
Tires
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 870071

CONSUMER 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

Look up ODI 870071 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 10103622 · 200,000 mi

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT BUBBLES ACCUMULATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. UNIROYAK, SIZE P205/75R14. *AK

Look up ODI 10103622 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 10119102

1983 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

Look up ODI 10119102 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No 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 mi

PASSENGER'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

Look up ODI 10042758 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Unknown Or Other
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 780363

OWNER FOUND OUT ABOUT RECALLS ISSUED DURING 1981, 1984 AND 1985 AND WANTS TO KNOW IF THE MANUFACTURER HAS TO HONOR THE RECALLS.

Look up ODI 780363 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

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.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Vehicle Speed Control
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 10119102

1983 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

Look up ODI 10119102 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No 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 failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
TiresToo few reports for a range200,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10103622 · 200,000 mi

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT BUBBLES ACCUMULATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. UNIROYAK, SIZE P205/75R14. *AK

Look up ODI 10103622 at NHTSA ↗

Seat Belts:Front:RetractorToo few reports for a range12,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10042758 · 12,000 mi

PASSENGER'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

Look up ODI 10042758 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

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
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

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.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

1986: 0 complaints · 1987: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1986000
1987000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1986100
1987000

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 co-occurrence matrix
ComponentTiresEngine And Engine Cooling:EngineSeat Belts:Front:RetractorUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
Tires—0000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine0—00
1
ODI 10119102

1983 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

Look up ODI 10119102 at NHTSA ↗

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor00—00
Unknown Or Other000—0
Vehicle Speed Control0
1
ODI 10119102

1983 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

Look up ODI 10119102 at NHTSA ↗

00—

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.