RoadVitals

1985 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Aug 8, 2002
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 28, 1986
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
5 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck, most frequently naming the engine, seat belts and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 2 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine240.0%
  • Seat belts240.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
86V056000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Apr 28, 1986
93,317 units potentially affected
The defect: THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NOTE: ALSO, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 86V131000.
The remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP96003ClosedDefect Petition

GAS TANK GUARD

Opened Jan 2, 1996
Closed Feb 9, 1996

Mr. Chevedden petition the agency requesting a defect investigation that would resultin the retrofitting of a low cost gas tank guard on all 1973-87 Chevrolet and GMC CK pickup trucks to prevent fires in a side impact

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
DP92016ClosedDefect Petition

FUEL TANK POSITION

Opened Aug 17, 1992
Closed Dec 8, 1992

FUEL TANK POSITION

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Aug 8, 2002
3 injuries reported1 death reported

GENERATOR EXHAUST WAS DAMAGED CAUSING THE TAIL PIPE TO BE BENT UP TOWARDS THE REAR SLEEPING COMPARTMENT OF THE RV. OCCUPANTS WERE OVERCOME WITH CO POISIONING RESULTING IN LOSS OF LIFE FOR OUR DAUGHTER. COMPLETE DETAILS AND POLICE REPORTS ARE AVAILABLE. VEHICLE DOES NOT BELONG TO ME BUT WAS BEING USED AS TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING DURING THE RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, NASCAR EVENT ON 5 MAY 2002.

NHTSA ID
765368
Incident
May 5, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Jun 8, 2000

GAS TANK IS LEAKING GAS. NLM

NHTSA ID
552543
Engine
Filed May 15, 1996
Fire reported

ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT) *DSH

NHTSA ID
504295
Incident
Apr 23, 1996
Seat belts
Filed Apr 1, 1996
1 injury reported

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED IN ROLLOVER ACCIDENT, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE THROWN FROM VEHICLE/INJURED. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)

NHTSA ID
502910
Incident
Jul 26, 1994
Seat belts
Filed Mar 20, 1996
Crash reported1 injury reported

SEAT BELT BUCKLE OPENED IN ROLLOVER, EJECTING DRIVER/CAUSING INJURY. *DH

NHTSA ID
502474

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003400137.2
2002370134.5
2001210142.5
2000190137.2
1999351036.2
1998331040.6
1997481145.9
1996491348.9
1995531144.4
1994351140.7
1993130243.7
1992130141.9
1991130142.5
1990110138.8
1989140044.0
1988150041.2
1987402—
1986412—
1985Viewing512—
1984302—
1983102—
1982102—
1981202—
1980123—
1979232—
1978232—
1977412—
1976202—
1975002—
1974212—
1973002—
1972200—
1970010—
1967010—
1966010—
1965010—
1964010—
1963010—
1962210—
1961010—
1960010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.