Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Steering
923.7%
Electrical System
718.4%
0 crashes, 2 fires
Seat Belts
513.2%
4 crashes, 0 fires
Body & Structure
410.5%
Seats
25.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Lights
25.3%
Median failure at 33,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
25.3%
Brakes
25.3%
Tires
12.6%
Median failure at 350,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
12.6%
Suspension
12.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain
12.6%
Engine & Cooling
12.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 3Jan 2009
NHTSA investigations into the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE94048Opened 21 Jun 1994Closed 30 Dec 1994ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILURE
PE91120Opened 30 Aug 1991Closed 4 Nov 1991SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT BRAKE DISC/HUB SEP
EA87006Opened 16 Dec 1986Closed 19 Sep 1988STEERING
POWER ST. ASSIST
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER:GM HAS DEVELOPED A SPLITRING FIELD REPAIR KIT AND IS EXTENDING THE WARRANRY ON ALL 1982-84 A,J, AND X, BODY CARS AND 1985 C,BODY CARS.THE WARRANTY APPLIES TO CARSTHAT ARE FOR 50,000 MILES OR 5 YRS.IT INCLUDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUSREPAIRS.ANALYSIS:WEARING OF THE RACK AND PINION HOUSING AND LOW AMBIENT TEMPCAN CAUSE TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST.TEFLON O RINGS FAIL TO SEALOFF INTERNAL PRESSURE.STATUS:EVALUATING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER BY GM.======
Recalls on the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 198605123,158 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
On certain vehicles, the push-pull headlight switch may have been manufactured with electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit. An intermittent circuit could cause the headlights to suddenly go out. Under severe weather or nighttime driving conditions, driver visibility could be reduced, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Girard, OHCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
RECLINING BUCKET SEAT RECLINED ON ITS OWN.
NHTSA complaint #741699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, OHCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TO DISENGAGE, WHICH MEANT THAT THE DRIVER DID NOT HAVE ANY PROTECTION AROUND HER. DRIVER WAS HURT.
NHTSA complaint #818519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, OHCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. ONCE THE VEHICLE START ROLLING, THE SEAT BELT DISENGAGED ITSELF.
NHTSA complaint #818448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gold River, CACrash1 killed
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
REPETITIVE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN TEETH OF RETRACTOR LOCKING MECHANISM AND EDGES OF WEBBING DURING EXTENSION/RETRACTION CAUSED 1/2 INCH TEAR IN DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING DURING A COLLISION. THE SHOULDER BELT FAILED, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE EJECTED FROM VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #523846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walnut Grove, MOCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
WHILE IN AN ACCIDENT THE SHOULDER HARNESS SPLIT IN HALF. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #978506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montague, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ELECTRICAL RESULTED IN FIRE UNDER DASH BOARD IN AREA OF STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA complaint #971378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 33,000 milesGrand Rapids, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WENT TO AUTO RECALLS .ORG AND FOUND RECALL ON MY 1986 CHEVY CELEBRITY 33,000 MILES. CONTACTED DEALER KOOL CHEVROLET 3770 PLAINFIELD NE GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN 49505 (616)-364-9431 THEY SAID THEY COULD ONLY TRACE VIN NUMBERS BACK TO 1990.WAS REFERRED TO GM 1-800-222-1020 (SERVICE REQUEST 71-693324446) I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL AND I SHOULD TAKE IT IN AND PAY TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE SAME THING. I AM THE SECOND OWNER HAVING PURCHASED IT IN THE LAST YEAR. MIKE RUSSELL
NHTSA complaint #10254355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 350,000 milesBelfast, NY
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 CHEVEROLET CELEBRITY STATION WAGON. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR DOUGLAS TIRES, SIZE 195/75R14. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A TIRE STORE FOR A ROUTINE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT TIRES. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, WHEN PURCHASING TIRES FROM WAL-MART, THE TIRES DID NOT FIT CORRECTLY DUE TO IMPROPER LUBRICATION AND MOUNTING. AS A RESULT, THE TIRES MADE A THUMPING SOUND WHEN DRIVING. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 350,000.
NHTSA complaint #10233994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Girard, OHCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
RECLINING BUCKET SEAT RECLINED ON ITS OWN.
NHTSA complaint #741699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE CONSUMER HAD CRUISE CONTROL INSTALLED ON VEHICLE, SHORTLY AFTER THE ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATED THE ENGINE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #783622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingston, ID
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #724859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesterland, OH
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET HEARD A NOISE, STEERING CAME LOOSE. PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION, AND THE LOWER A FRAME ON THE LEFT FRONT WHICH IS BOLTED INTO THE CRADLE BROKE. MOUNT WHERE THE A FRAME BOLTS IN HAD CRACKED WHICH CAUSED THE A FRAME TO COME LOOSE AT THAT POINT. SINCE IT WAS NOT ATTACHED STEERING WAS NOT EFFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #865669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesterland, OH
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET HEARD A NOISE, STEERING CAME LOOSE. PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION, AND THE LOWER A FRAME ON THE LEFT FRONT WHICH IS BOLTED INTO THE CRADLE BROKE. MOUNT WHERE THE A FRAME BOLTS IN HAD CRACKED WHICH CAUSED THE A FRAME TO COME LOOSE AT THAT POINT. SINCE IT WAS NOT ATTACHED STEERING WAS NOT EFFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #865669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER MARKET CRUISE CONTROL UNIT INSTALLED, SHORTLY AFTER THE INSTALLATION THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATED THE ENGINE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH, DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH ALL AFTER MARKET CRUISE CONTROL UNITS. MJS
NHTSA complaint #549536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER MARKET CRUISE CONTROL UNIT INSTALLED, SHORTLY AFTER THE INSTALLATION THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATED THE ENGINE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH, DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH ALL AFTER MARKET CRUISE CONTROL UNITS. MJS
NHTSA complaint #549536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Guilford, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
THE 86 CELEBRITY HAS DEFECTIVE ROTORS AND DRUMS. THE ROTORS DO NOT LAST MORE THAT A FEW THOUSAND MILE AND VEHICLE STARTS TO JERK WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE BRAKES SOMETIMES LOCK UP WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #529694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peoria, IL
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT DUE TO THE LACK OF UNDERCOATING UNDER VEHICLE. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #825349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT. Pleasant, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
INSIDE DOOR HANDLES BROKE, DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #519092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MC Call, ID
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #525613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, OHCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TO DISENGAGE, WHICH MEANT THAT THE DRIVER DID NOT HAVE ANY PROTECTION AROUND HER. DRIVER WAS HURT.
NHTSA complaint #818519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, OHCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. ONCE THE VEHICLE START ROLLING, THE SEAT BELT DISENGAGED ITSELF.
NHTSA complaint #818448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gold River, CACrash1 killed
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
REPETITIVE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN TEETH OF RETRACTOR LOCKING MECHANISM AND EDGES OF WEBBING DURING EXTENSION/RETRACTION CAUSED 1/2 INCH TEAR IN DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING DURING A COLLISION. THE SHOULDER BELT FAILED, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE EJECTED FROM VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #523846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT. Pleasant, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
INSIDE DOOR HANDLES BROKE; DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #518149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten Island, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
COMPUTER FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #509848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten Island, NY
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION LOCK STEERING SYSTEM LOCKS IN POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #509848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocala, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN DRIVING AND STOPPING AT LIGHT THE CAR VIBRATES , CAR SOMETIMES WOULDN'T DOWN SHIFT . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #803759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Timoniium, MD
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
'COLD POWER STEERING'.
NHTSA complaint #481247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Martinez, CA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #485350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tinley PAR, IL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK RECLINES ON ITS OWN.
NHTSA complaint #503091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walnut Grove, MOCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
WHILE IN AN ACCIDENT THE SHOULDER HARNESS SPLIT IN HALF. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #978506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cheektowaga, NY
STEERING
THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL BY PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #972040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.