RecallMyCar

Chevrolet El Camino Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 19 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints across 16 model years of the Chevrolet El Camino (1966–1987). The most-complained-about year is 1978.

19
safety recalls, all years
5
owner complaints, all years
1973
year with most recalls
1978
year with most complaints

Pick your Chevrolet El Camino model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1987 Chevrolet El Camino10
1986 Chevrolet El Camino01
1984 Chevrolet El Camino11
1983 Chevrolet El Camino11
1981 Chevrolet El Camino20
1980 Chevrolet El Camino31
1979 Chevrolet El Camino30
1978 Chevrolet El Camino41
1977 Chevrolet El Camino10
1975 Chevrolet El Camino10
1974 Chevrolet El Camino10
1973 Chevrolet El Camino40
1970 Chevrolet El Camino10
1968 Chevrolet El Camino10
1967 Chevrolet El Camino10
1966 Chevrolet El Camino10

What Chevrolet El Camino owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The 1978 model year has the most, with 1.

All Chevrolet El Camino recalls (19)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Chevrolet El Camino, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Column shift (power train)

    NHTSA 87V168000 Reported 11,936 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Manual valve link in the transmission may have been improperly formed.

    Remedy: Replace the manual valve detent lever link.

    Model years: 1987

  2. Wheel cylinders (service brakes)

    NHTSA 85V048000 Reported 1,810,000 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    Model years: 1978, 1979, 1980

  3. Axle shaft (power train)

    NHTSA 84V149000 Reported 3,100,000 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    Model years: 1978, 1979, 1980

  4. Recliner (seats)

    NHTSA 84V011000 Reported 76,586 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    Model years: 1984

  5. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 83V106000 Reported 4,667 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    Model years: 1983

  6. Hubcap/cover (wheels)

    NHTSA 81V036000 Reported 6,690 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    "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.

    Model years: 1981

  7. Suspension: rear

    NHTSA 81V025000 Reported 5,821,160 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    Model years: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981

  8. Fan (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 78V139000 Reported 333,619 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    Model years: 1978

  9. Carburetor system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 76V160000 Reported 811,180 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1966

  10. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 76V132000 Reported 55,564 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1977

  11. Axle shaft (power train)

    NHTSA 75V032000 Reported 220,982 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1975

  12. Vacuum (service brakes)

    NHTSA 74V027000 Reported 1,218,387 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1973

  13. Suspension: upper arm

    NHTSA 73V250000 Reported 782,111 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1974

  14. Master cylinder (service brakes)

    NHTSA 73V152000 Reported 3,094 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1973

  15. Warning light/devices (seat belts)

    NHTSA 72V303000 Reported 693 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1973

  16. Linkages (steering)

    NHTSA 72V275000 Reported 155,418 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1973

  17. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 70V143000 Reported 12,600 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1970

  18. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 68V085000 Reported 310,290 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1968

  19. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 66V032001 Reported 138,878 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1967

Other Chevrolet models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.