VehicleVerdict

1979 Chevrolet Van problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1979 Chevrolet Van — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1979 compare to other Van years?

Van NHTSA complaints by model year, 1979 highlighted46 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1983: 5 complaints1991: 4 complaints1992: 12 complaints1993: 19 complaints1994: 11 complaints1995: 31 complaints1996: 46 complaints1997: 41 complaints1998: 18 complaints1999: 19 complaints2000: 36 complaints2001: 22 complaints2002: 12 complaints
Van NHTSA complaints by model year, 1979 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Van years to avoid →

Does the 1979 Chevrolet Van have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

01I004000EngineMarch 8, 2001

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1973-1979 LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH FLEXIBLE ENGINE COOLING FANS. THE FLEX FANS WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEAVY COOLING SYSTEM AND WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING. OVER TIME, CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE FAN BLADE DUE TO FATIGUE, ENGINE MODIFICATIONS, OR VEHICLE CRASHES.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE FAN BLADES, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

OWNERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THE FAN ASSEMBLY TO CONFIRM IF IT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE FAN IN QUESTION. THE FAN ASSEMBLY HAS SEVEN FAN BLADES AND IS IDENTIFIED BY PART NUMBER 336032 ON EACH FAN BLADE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE FLEXIBLE FAN ASSEMBLY, YOU SHOULD REPLACE THE FAN. A NEW FOUR-BLADE FIXED PITCH FAN (PART NUMBER 461317) WILL BE AVAILABLE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. GM RECOMMENDS THAT YOU NEVER STAND IN LINE WITH OR NEAR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN WHEN REVVING THE ENGINE. FOR THE OWNER'S PROTECTION, THE HOOD SHOULD BE CLOSED WHEN REVVING THE ENGINE. GM HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADVISE OWNERS TO REPLACE THE FAN ASSEMBLY. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.

1979 Chevrolet Van — common questions

Is the 1979 Chevrolet Van reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 1979 Chevrolet Van have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1979 Chevrolet Van. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Van years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Van years to avoid are 1996, 1997, 2000, 1995. The cleanest record among Van years belongs to 1979.

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.