3GCCW80H3FS9111511985 CHEVROLET El Camino
1985 CHEVROLET El Camino was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase.
Executive Summary
1985 CHEVROLET El Camino
1985 CHEVROLET El Camino was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase.
- 2 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- CHEVROLET
- Model
- El Camino
- Year
- 1985
- Trim / Series
- 1/2 Ton Nominal
- Body Style
- Pickup
- Vehicle Type
- TRUCK
- Drive Type
- 4x2
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 8-cyl 5.0L
- Doors
- 2
- Manufacturer
- GENERAL MOTORS LLC
- Assembly
- RAMOS ARIZPE, MEXICO
- GVWR
- Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: RAMOS ARIZPE, MEXICO
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
- ▸Fuel system recall
- ▸1 fuel system recall(s) — potential ignition risk
NHTSA Safety Recalls
2 RECALLSNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 2 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 2 recalls is ~67%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
CHEVROLET completes recalls at a fair rate (87%). If this vehicle has open recalls, follow up with a dealer — average remedy time is ~20 months.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~20 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SummaryCERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.Read full details...
~31% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
EQUIPMENT
SummaryCERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.Read full details...
~36% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $34,114 (~$569/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 1985 CHEVROLET El Camino — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
CHEVROLET has been fined $35M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2014: Delayed ignition switch recall — 124 deaths linked to defect known since 2001.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | 3GCCW80H3FS911151 |
| Model Year | 1985 |
| Make | CHEVROLET |
| Model | El Camino |
| Series | 1/2 Ton Nominal |
| Vehicle Type | TRUCK |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Pickup |
| Doors | 2 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 8 |
| Displacement (L) | 5.0 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | GENERAL MOTORS LLC |
| Assembly City | RAMOS ARIZPE |
| Assembly Country | MEXICO |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | 3GC |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 3 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | F |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | S |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 911151 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 2 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 0 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 10/1/2026, 2:01:44 AM.