ChevroletEl Camino1979Overview/chevrolet/el-camino/1979/base/

1979 Chevrolet El Camino

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1979 El Camino.

Framing the 1979 Chevrolet El Camino begins with this overview, which establishes the vehicle's baseline identity without detailing the specific body, platform, or engine configurations that define its mechanical profile. Because the overview lacks standout specifications or quantitative figures, researchers must look beyond this text to ground their technical understanding of the model. Ultimately, this reference does not contextualize the 1979 iteration within the El Camino's broader reliability history, meaning the implications for its long-term mechanical standing remain outside the scope of this specific data.

Model year198719861985198419831982198119801979

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length198.4 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height52.8 in
Wheelbase115.4 in
Curb weight3106 lb

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E088000EquipmentReported 24/10/2007

CERTAIN 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… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

85V048000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Wheel CylindersReported 29/04/1985

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… Remedy: ADD A PART TO PREVENT WHEEL CYLINDER FROM ROTATING.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific El Camino. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 1979 El Camino have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.