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: 1 of 44 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.
Steering. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
44 reports
79,000 miles · Mar 19, 2007
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 …
Read full complaint
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 ODI #10185500
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING, THE TAIL PIPE AND MUFFLER FELL OFF. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #785750
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2001
Tires
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.*JB
NHTSA ODI #562971
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2001
Steering
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #749212
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
MOTOR MOUNTS WERE RUSTED, AND ENGINE FELL OUT OF MOUNTING. DEALERSHIP IS UNAWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #886048
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #878246
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING DUE TO EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING OF ALUMINUM ENGINE. YH
NHTSA ODI #549420
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848569
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 1999
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835408
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 1998
Seat Belts
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 *ML
NHTSA ODI #830290
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
5
PE94048 · SUB-FRAME Absorber Failure
Opened Jun 21, 1994 · Closed Dec 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
PE91142 · Steering Wheel Separation
Opened Oct 25, 1991 · Closed Jan 22, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
EA89026 · Loss Of Power Steering
Opened Jun 12, 1989 · Closed Oct 9, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · 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.===
PE89105 · Power Steering Hose Fails
Opened Mar 20, 1989 · Closed Jun 12, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
===
EA89010 · Brake Ineffectiveness
Opened Jan 17, 1989 · Closed May 8, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
1987 Chevrolet Celebrity Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration