NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Gasoline
619.4%
Latch
516.1%
Hydraulic Power Assist System
516.1%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
412.9%
Rack AND Pinion
39.7%
Module
39.7%
Engine
39.7%
Carburetor System
26.5%
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.
Jan 1995peak 6Mar 2007
NHTSA investigations into the 1987 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
PE91142Opened 25 Oct 1991Closed 22 Jan 1992STEERING
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
EA89026Opened 12 Jun 1989Closed 9 Oct 1990STEERING
LOSS OF POWER STEERING
SUMMARY: THE COMPLAINTS DESCRIBE A FAILURE OF THE PRESSURE HOSECONNECTED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP.USED ONLY ON THE 4 CYL MODELS.THIS PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED AND EACH GM DIVISION HAS ISSUED ASERVICE BULLETIN.WARRANTY CLAIMS AND PARTS SALES ARE VERY HIGH.===
PE89105Opened 20 Mar 1989Closed 12 Jun 1989STEERING
POWER STEERING HOSE FAILS
===
EA89010Opened 17 Jan 1989Closed 8 May 1990SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS
Recalls on the 1987 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.
United States — NHTSA
06E043000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1987027531 units in Canada
Other
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 101 - CONTROL LOCATION AND IDENTIFICATION. - ODOMETER CALIBRATED IN MILES RATHER THAN KILOMETERS. -
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Mill Creek, WACrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
SHOULDER PORTION OF SHOULDER/LAP BELT DID NOT HOLD DRIVER UPON REAR END COLLISION; OCCUPANT WENT BACKWARDS;HIT HEADREST;THEN FORWARD;SMASHED INTO STEERING WHEEL
NHTSA complaint #958819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 79,000 milesEL Tura, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY. ON 01/24/2007, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT BEGAN HEARING A GRINDING AND SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ON 02/15/2007 AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT LATER OBSERVED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PADS AND THAT HIS CALIPERS WERE RUBBING TOGETHER AND REPLACED THE BRAKES, ROTOR, DISK AND CALIPERS. ON APPROXIMATELY MARCH 12, 2007 THE DUPLICATE FAILURE REOCCURRED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20-25MPH AND THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
NHTSA complaint #10185500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE RUNS BAD, ALSO SAID VEHICLE MAKES A LOT OF NOISE, POSSIBLE ENGINE NOISE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Cruces, NM
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING, TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER STATES MANUFACTURER SHOULD PLACE DATE IN A PLACE WHERE CONSUMERS WOULD BE ABLE TO READ IT, (BRIDGESTONE 205/70R14), TIRE HAD 25000 MILES ON IT AND CONSUMER STATES THAT IT WAS 8 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #562971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WHILE DRIVING, THE TAIL PIPE AND MUFFLER FELL OFF. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WHILE DRIVING, THE TAIL PIPE AND MUFFLER FELL OFF. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE RUNS BAD, ALSO SAID VEHICLE MAKES A LOT OF NOISE, POSSIBLE ENGINE NOISE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Cruces, NM
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING, TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER STATES MANUFACTURER SHOULD PLACE DATE IN A PLACE WHERE CONSUMERS WOULD BE ABLE TO READ IT, (BRIDGESTONE 205/70R14), TIRE HAD 25000 MILES ON IT AND CONSUMER STATES THAT IT WAS 8 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #562971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #749212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmwood Park, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MOTOR MOUNTS WERE RUSTED, AND ENGINE FELL OUT OF MOUNTING. DEALERSHIP IS UNAWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #886048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING AT LOW SPEED/IOW IDLE. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #878246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sylvania, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING DUE TO EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING OF ALUMINUM ENGINE. YH
NHTSA complaint #549420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sylvania, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING DUE TO EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING OF ALUMINUM ENGINE. YH
NHTSA complaint #549420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sylvania, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING DUE TO EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING OF ALUMINUM ENGINE. YH
NHTSA complaint #549420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Andover, KS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED VEHICLE OVER. ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL DUE TO A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THE LIFTERS WERE MAKING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #848569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Andover, KS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED VEHICLE OVER. ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL DUE TO A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THE LIFTERS WERE MAKING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #848569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Augstine, FL
STEERING
IN THE COLD MORNING WEATHER, THE VEHICLE WILL LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 1985 CITATION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #835408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mechanicsville, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
INTERMITTENT STALLING; ALSO COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #523243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mechanicsville, MD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
INTERMITTENT STALLING; ALSO COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #523243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Davenport, IA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER'S SEATBELT IS STUCK IN ONE POSTION WHERE DRIVER CANNOT EXTEND THE SEATBELT WHICH MAKES THE SEATBELT INOPERABLE. DEALER DOES NOT MANUFACTURE THE SEATBELT PART. *AK
NHTSA complaint #830290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holt, MI
SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION WHICH IS ATTACHED TO BODY MOUNT AND WHICH IS MADE FROM SHEET METAL IS RUSTING AWAY, CAUSING SUSPENSION TO DROP STEERING KNUCKLE. ALSO BECAME INOPERATIVE. DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTUER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #828900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danbury, CT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
HIGH PRESSURE GAS LINE BURST WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #539325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denville, NJ
I BELIEVE THAT THIS MODEL OF THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM YEARS AGO BEFORE I OWNED IT. I'M LOOKING TO FIND OUT IF IT WAS AND POSSIBLY GET IT FIXED. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP.
NHTSA complaint #541838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Amherst, WI
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL OFF. DUE TO THE DEFECT, CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER STEERING, WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER .THE REAR POINTS OF THE ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED OUT WHICH CAUSED THE WHOLE ENGINE ASSEMBLY TO FALL OUT, INCLUDING THE STEERING MECHANISM. DEALER WILL REPLACE MOUNTING BRACKETS, RACK PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY, ETC. AK
NHTSA complaint #819883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Amherst, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL OFF. DUE TO THE DEFECT, CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER STEERING, WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER .THE REAR POINTS OF THE ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED OUT WHICH CAUSED THE WHOLE ENGINE ASSEMBLY TO FALL OUT, INCLUDING THE STEERING MECHANISM. DEALER WILL REPLACE MOUNTING BRACKETS, RACK PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY, ETC. AK
NHTSA complaint #819883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellefontaine, OH
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
ENGINE: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT , PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, GOT OUT TO LOOK AND THE ENGINE HAD DROPPED ABOUT 2INCHES. THE CRADLE MOUNT BOLT THAT HOLDS ENGINE HAD RUSTED .
NHTSA complaint #818637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.