Chevrolet Nova problems

Owners have filed 40 complaints about the Chevrolet Nova with NHTSA across model years 1984 to 1990. More of them are about the transmission & drivetrain than anything else.

Every Chevrolet Nova year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

1 4 18 13 4

84 86 87 88 90

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

Year	Grade	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Median miles	Most reported
1990	—	4	0	0	—	Engine & Cooling
1988	—	13	3	1	—	Transmission & Drivetrain
1987	—	18	0	0	—	Transmission & Drivetrain
1986	—	4	2	0	—	Engine & Cooling
1984	—	1	0	0	—	Brakes

What breaks on a Chevrolet Nova

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Transmission & Drivetrain 13 32.5%

Worst in 1987

Seat Belts 8 20.0%

Worst in 1987

Brakes 3 7.5%

Worst in 1987

Doors, Latches & Locks 3 7.5%

Worst in 1987

Engine & Cooling 2 5.0%

Worst in 1986

Electrical System 2 5.0%

Worst in 1988

Steering 2 5.0%

Worst in 1986

Tires 2 5.0%

Worst in 1987

Body & Structure 1 2.5%

Worst in 1990

Suspension 1 2.5%

Worst in 1990

Fuel & Propulsion 1 2.5%

Worst in 1986

Seats 1 2.5%

Worst in 1988

Other & Unspecified 1 2.5%

Worst in 1987

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Chevrolet Nova, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Jan 1995 peak 5 Feb 2006

Compare the Chevrolet Nova

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.

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