Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 15 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
15 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
PURCHASED A USE 1985 CHEV. CELEBRITY CLASSIC 10-16-2007 THAT ONLY HAD 46,722 MILES. IT HAD A STRONG GAS SMELL THAT WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS. I DROVE THE CAR SHORT DISTANCE AND EVEN NOW ONLY HAVE 74, 912 MILES ON IT. I FEEL THE CAR CAME FROM THE FACTORY LIKE THIS BECAUSE AN OLD MAN T…
Read full complaint
PURCHASED A USE 1985 CHEV. CELEBRITY CLASSIC 10-16-2007 THAT ONLY HAD 46,722 MILES. IT HAD A STRONG GAS SMELL THAT WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS. I DROVE THE CAR SHORT DISTANCE AND EVEN NOW ONLY HAVE 74, 912 MILES ON IT. I FEEL THE CAR CAME FROM THE FACTORY LIKE THIS BECAUSE AN OLD MAN THAT DIED HAD THE CAR. IT LOOKED LIKE NEW WHEN I PURCHASED IT. EVEN NOW IT DRIVE LIKE A NEW CAR. THE GAS IS LEAKING FROM SOME WHERE SO THE SMELL, LEAK AND COST OF GAS MAKE IT WHERE I CAN'T AFFORD TO DRIVE IT. RIGHT NOW I ONLY DRIVE IT TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED. PLEASE HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10432380
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2004
Steering
EMAIL CONSUMER LETTER REGARDING GM POWER STEERING RECALL.*MR 1985 EUROSPORT WAGON DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHERE POWER STEERING WAS LOST WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS.*MR
NHTSA ODI #10055880
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2001
Visibility
REPLACED FUSE FOR REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER AND SMELLED BURNING. THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT COVERS THE CONTACT TO THE WINDOW WAS BEGINING TO MELT. THE OEM SPACER WAS A PIECE OF FOAM THAT HAD LONG SINCE CRUMBED TO NOTHING. YD
NHTSA ODI #785723
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Power Train
WELL MAINTAINED/RUSTPROOFED AT PURCHASE /REAR AXAL LET LOOSE WHILE TURN IN DRIVEWAY OF HOME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #741232
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. CONSUMER WILL FILL OUT MORE INFORMATION IF NEEDED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #875880
Mileage unknown · May 14, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE CATALYITC CONVERTER ,AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. ALSO, HAS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837946
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS
NHTSA ODI #545200
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 1998
StructureVehicle Speed Control
STRUCTURE RUSTED THROUGH WHERE THE REAR AXLE AND THE UNIBODY CONNECTS.
NHTSA ODI #527369
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 1997
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
CLUTCH CABLE IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED CAUSING THE CABLE TO CONTACT THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE PIPE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THIS MAY CAUSE WEAR THROUGH, BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: SECURE CLUTCH CABLE TO PRECLUDE CONTACT WITH MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE PIPE. ALSO, REPLACE BRAKE PIPE IF IT SHOWS ANY SIGN OF WEAR.
THE THROTTLE LINKAGE MAY BIND BECAUSE DURING NORMAL OPERATION, THE THROTTLE BODY CASE MAY INTERFERE WITH THE LINKAGE. THIS INTERFERENCE COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM CLOSING EVEN THOUGH THE DRIVER HAS REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLES AND IMPROVE THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE AND THROTTLE BODY CASING IF NEEDED, AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4
PE88027 · Headlamp Switch Failure
Opened Feb 9, 1988 · Closed May 11, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
===
EA87006 · Power St. Assist
Opened Dec 16, 1986 · Closed Sep 19, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
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.======
EA86025 · Windshield Wipers
Opened Aug 25, 1986 · Closed Mar 2, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
SUMMARY:GM BELIEVES THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED THROUGH ITS PUBLI-CATION OF 7 SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS MATTER. IN ADDITION, GMDOES NOT BELIEVE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE REPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD.ANALYSIS: THREE FAILURE MODES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED; INSULATING FILM MAYBUILD UP BETWEEN THE BRUSH FACE AND THE COMMUTATOR OF THE WIPER MOTOR,CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE WIPER MOTOR BRUSH AND DISENGAGEMENT OF THEWIPER ARMS MAY OCCUR. IN VIEW OF THE EXISTING LEGAL PRECEDENT, THE LARGENUMBER OF WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING WIPER MOTOR FAILURES (114,000) ANDTHE HIGH WIPER MOTOR AND MOTOR KIT PART SALES (251,000), IT IS IMPERATIVETHAT THIS MATTER RECEIVE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT.STATUS: GM RESPONSE DATED 2/23/87. ANALYZING AS TIME PERMITS.EA CLOSED 3/2/88.=== D@
C85007 · Rear Brake Lockup
Opened Jun 19, 1985 · Closed May 18, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
1985 Chevrolet Celebrity Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration