VehicleVerdict

1985 Chevrolet P30 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 1985 Chevrolet P30 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

2

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

6

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1985 compare to other P30 years?

P30 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted11 complaints1967: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 3 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 6 complaints1993: 6 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 11 complaints1999: 5 complaints
P30 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all P30 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1985 Chevrolet P30 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension150%
Tires & Wheels150%

Does the 1985 Chevrolet P30 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

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 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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

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.

88V110000SuspensionJuly 6, 1988 · 21,485 units

Defect

LEFT HAND LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN CRACK AND COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE LOWER BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE FROM THE CONTROL ARM.

Consequence

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT INA CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

REPAIR OR REPLACE LOWER LEFT CONTROL ARM.

86V117000SeatsAugust 25, 1986 · 46 units

Defect

THREE BOLTS WHICH ATTACH THE SILL THAT SUPPORTS THE BASE OF THE SEAT WERE OMITTED; THEREFORE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210 AND FMVSS 207. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FLOOR PLATE COULD BUCKLE ALONG THE INBOARD SIDE CAUSING THE SEAT PEDESTAL TO BE IMBALANCED, AND INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

INSTALL MISSING BOLTS.

86V114000SteeringAugust 18, 1986 · 619 units

Defect

DURING A COMBINED CORNERING AND BRAKING MANEUVER, THE TIE ROD END COULD CONTACT THE TIRE WALL. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS CONTACT CAN CAUSE GROOVING OF THE TIRE, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN TIRE FAILURE AND POSSIBLY A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

REPLACE 16" WHEELS AND TIRES WITH 19 1/2" WHEELS AND TIRES; ALSO, REPLACE SPEEDOMETER GEAR TO COMPENSATE FOR NEW SIZE WHEELS AND TIRES.

85V156000Tires & WheelsNovember 26, 1985 · 861 units

Defect

THE WHEEL MAY DEVELOP CRACKS BETWEEN THE DISC AND RIM. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THIS OCCURS AND IS NOT NOTICED, THE CRACK COULD INCREASE AROUND THE RIM, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE RIM FROM THE DISC, LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR.

Remedy

REPLACE WHEELS HAVING THE SUSPECTED MANUFACTURING CODE NUMBER.

85V128000EngineOctober 15, 1985 · 383 units

Defect

THE FAN BLADE, WHEN SUBJECTED TO HIGH STRESS LEVELS, CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK APART AT THE HUB WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE HOOD IS OPEN, A PERSON WORKING UNDER THE HOOD OR NEAR THE TRUCK COULD BE STRUCK BY A BLADE PART AND BE INJURED.

Remedy

REPLACE ENGINE FAN.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“REPLACED 4 TIRES DUE TO CORD RUPTURE ON 3 OUT OF 4 TIRES. TREAD SEPARATION BEGINNING. (DOT NUMBER: VNOR1WT TIRESIZE: 235/85R16)”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 7, 2000

1985 Chevrolet P30 — common questions

Is the 1985 Chevrolet P30 reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1985 Chevrolet P30 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1985 Chevrolet P30. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1985 Chevrolet P30 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.