US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained
Chevrolet El Camino recall history
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Chevrolet El Camino,
sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
Ask About This Model
Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Chevrolet El Camino. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
AI Assistant
Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Chevrolet El Camino,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1966–1987 with 26 recall campaigns and 6 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 1978 (4), 1973 (4), and 1980 (3).
Years with the most complaint volume: 1983 (2), 1986 (1), and 1984 (1).
Top recall themes: Steering and suspension, Brakes, and Other.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Tires, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Vehicle speed control.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Steering and suspension
5 campaigns · Years: 1967, 1973–1974, 1977–1981
These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.
These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Official notices (evidence):
76V160000
· Fuel system, gasoline: Carburetor system
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Chevrolet El Camino in NHTSA complaint data are
Tires, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Vehicle speed control.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
1987
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1986
0
1
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:retractor.
1984
1
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires.
1983
1
2
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Vehicle speed control.
1981
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1980
3
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
1979
3
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1978
4
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires.
1977
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1975
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1974
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1973
4
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1970
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1968
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1967
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1966
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Service brakes
, Power train
and Suspension
Show recall evidence by year
1987
Power train: Column shift:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1983
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
1981
Suspension: Rear:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Wheels: Hubcap/cover:
Safety recall involving the wheels area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: "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.
1980
Suspension: Rear:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Power train: Axle shaft:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Wheel cylinders:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 woul
1979
Suspension: Rear:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Power train: Axle shaft:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Wheel cylinders:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 woul
1978
Engine and engine cooling: Fan:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 woul
Suspension: Rear:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Power train: Axle shaft:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Wheel cylinders:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 woul
1977
Steering: Steering wheel/handle bar:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Seat belts: Warning light/devices:
Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Master cylinder:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Vacuum:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Steering: Steering wheel/handle bar:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Fuel system, gasoline: Carburetor system:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
