Vehicle recall 85V048000 · April 29, 1985
Oldsmobile Cutlass, Chevrolet El Camino and 10 more models
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.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- 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 of rear brake action, creating the potential for an accident. Front brakes would remain operational.
- Remedy
- Add a part to prevent wheel cylinder from rotating.
- Notes
- Note: owner notification will begin after September 1, 1985 and should be completed by September 30, 1985.VEHICLE description: midsize passenger cars and small trucks. System: rear brakes.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 85V048000
- Reported to NHTSA
- April 29, 1985
- Filed by
- GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 1,810,000
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
- Components
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Wheel cylinders
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Buick Century (1978, 1980): 1980, 1978
- Buick Regal (1978, 1980): 1980, 1978
- Chevrolet El Camino (1978-1980): 1980, 1979, 1978
- Chevrolet Malibu (1978-1980): 1980, 1979, 1978
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1978-1980): 1980, 1979, 1978
- Chevrolet S10 (1982): 1982
- GMC Caballero (1978-1979): 1979, 1978
- GMC S15 (1982): 1982
- Oldsmobile Cutlass (1978-1980): 1980, 1979, 1978
- Pontiac Grand AM (1978): 1978
- Pontiac Grand Prix (1978-1980): 1980, 1979, 1978
- Pontiac Lemans (1978-1980): 1980, 1979, 1978
Has your Buick been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Buick dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.