1985 Chevrolet C10 Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 16 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 18 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1985 Chevrolet C10 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1985 Chevrolet C10. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by fuel system (2) and brakes (1). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system2 29%
- Fuel system2 29%
- Brakes1 14%
- Engine cooling1 14%
- Body and structure1 14%
- Tires1 14%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “I have replaced seven coils, four ignition modules, and 1 complete distributor, also I have replaced the cap and rotor three times. The truck has left me and my elderly parents stranded several times and helped in causing an accident that could had cause serious injury. I have put a large sum of money into this vehicle, beside the time it took to work on it,plus the time I missed at work. I am in constuction and when my truck don't I ussually can't work either/.I feel that Chevrolet corp. …”
NHTSA complaint #730903, filed 2000-09Fuel system: “Consumer has smelled gas fume odors outside vehicle, and noticed tank was leaking fuel from side saddle tank due to cover which was not mounted to tank, allowing foreign objects to enter tank and causing tank to rust out. Twenty gallon tank.”
NHTSA complaint #879307, filed 2001-01Brakes: “The contact owns a 1985 Chevrolet C10. The contact was informed by the emissions station that the rear brakes on his vehicle do not operate. He stated that the vehicle needs an axle brake assembly. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage was 140,000 and the failure mileage was unknown. Updated 02/01/08. The consumer stated the brake system has not worked properly since the year he purchased the vehicle and will not be driven until manufacturer can remedy the defect. Updated 02/01/08”
NHTSA complaint #10198611, filed 2007-08Engine cooling: “Under vehicle carriage fire, catalytic converter suspected of causing fire. Tt after sudden explosion the vehicle caught fire from underneath the rear. The power door failed to work and the consumer in trying to get out had his hair on fire but put it out by rolling on the ground.”
NHTSA complaint #973196, filed 1995-10Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1985 Chevrolet C10 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 18 | 17 | $3,950 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed manual | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed manual | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,200 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed manual | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 3-speed manual | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 12 | 15 | 13 | $5,150 |
| C10 Pickup 2WD | 6.2L 8-cyl · diesel | 4-speed manual | 18 | 22 | 19 | $5,050 |
2 more EPA-rated versions are not shown.
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 87V043000Apr 1, 1987Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation componentsCovers: Chevrolet C10 1985–1986, GMC C15 1985–1986
Improper size rear brake assemblies were installed.
Recall details for the 1985 Chevrolet C10 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1985 Chevrolet C10.
Other model years of the Chevrolet C10
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 7 | — | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 16 | 134,650 | 6 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 40 | 73,810 | 7 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 20 | 80,000 | 11 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 9 | 50,000 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 9 | — | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 7 | — | 5 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 7 | — | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 7 | — | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1985 Chevrolet C10 have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1985 Chevrolet C10 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1985 Chevrolet C10 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by fuel system with 2.
Has the 1985 Chevrolet C10 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1985 Chevrolet C10 get?
The EPA rates the 1985 Chevrolet C10 (C10 Pickup 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 15 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.