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 39 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 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 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 reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
39 reports
75,000 miles · Feb 10, 2003
Seat Belts
1988 CHEVEROLET CELEBRITY. MANUFACRURER DOES NOT STOCK OR SELL REPLACEMENT SEAT BELTS OR PARTS. THE PART IS A PLASTIC CLIP THAT GOES OVER THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. PROBABLY A $1.00 PART. BUT THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THAT THEY CANNOT PROVIDE THE CLIP OR THE BELT. AM I SUPPOSED TO THROW AWAY A CAR THAT IS OTHERWISE PERFECT?? IS NO…
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1988 CHEVEROLET CELEBRITY. MANUFACRURER DOES NOT STOCK OR SELL REPLACEMENT SEAT BELTS OR PARTS. THE PART IS A PLASTIC CLIP THAT GOES OVER THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. PROBABLY A $1.00 PART. BUT THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THAT THEY CANNOT PROVIDE THE CLIP OR THE BELT. AM I SUPPOSED TO THROW AWAY A CAR THAT IS OTHERWISE PERFECT?? IS NOT THE MANUFACURER REQUIRED TO PROVIDE AVAILABILITY OF REPLACEMENT SAFETY PARTS? THERE ARE MILLIONS OF THESE GM CARS STILL ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10005627
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2001
Tires
TREADS WERE SEPARATING FROM BODY OF ALL FOUR TIRES, WHILE MUCH OF TREAD REMAINED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: Y7J9PL3146 TIRESIZE: P195/70R14)
NHTSA ODI #748036
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE CRADLE MOUNTING BOLT AND ATTACHING HARDWARE RUSTED THROUGH AND SHEERED AT BODY FRAME. ATTACHING LOCKING NUT AND REMAINDER OF MOUNTING BOLT STILL INSIDE BODY FRAME. ENGINE SHIFTS AND FRONT CONTROL ARM SHIFT DURING OPERATION. LOSS OF SECOND RIGHT SIDE MOUNTING SUPPORT STRUCTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING AND CRASH.…
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ENGINE CRADLE MOUNTING BOLT AND ATTACHING HARDWARE RUSTED THROUGH AND SHEERED AT BODY FRAME. ATTACHING LOCKING NUT AND REMAINDER OF MOUNTING BOLT STILL INSIDE BODY FRAME. ENGINE SHIFTS AND FRONT CONTROL ARM SHIFT DURING OPERATION. LOSS OF SECOND RIGHT SIDE MOUNTING SUPPORT STRUCTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING AND CRASH. GM REFERRED ME TO LOCAL DEALER, WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED BY THE OWNER, WHICH WOULD INDETAIL CUTTING OPEN THE FRAME AND REPLACING LOCKING NUT AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE AND REWELDING FRAME. CONTACTED NHTSA WHO ALSO COULD NOT LOCATE A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THERE ARE SIMILAR RECALLS OUT FOR GM VEHICLES WITH CRADLE PROBLEMS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS ACCIDENT FREE. THE DEFECT TO MY BELIEF IS DESIGN AND WEATHER INDUCED. PROPER HARDWARE AND DESIGN WOULD PREVENT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #711340
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 1998
Seat Belts
SEAT BELTS DO NOT HOLD CAR SEATS EFFICIENTLY, POOR STABILITY.
NHTSA ODI #532691
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 1998
Electrical System
IGNITION SWITCH CAN BE STARTED WITHOUT KEY, WHEN KEY IS REMOVED FROM IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE CONTINUES TO RUN.
NHTSA ODI #532690
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, DUE TO OVERHEATING.
NHTSA ODI #530670
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1997
Steering
HAD STARTED TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY WHEN STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. HAD NOTICED PUDDLE OF POWER STEERING FLUID IN GARAGE. TOOK TO MECHANIC & INFORMED EITHER THE PUMP, RACK & PINION OR STEERING PUMP HOSES HAD BLOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #819932
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 1997
Steering
COLD POWER STEERING.
NHTSA ODI #526668
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 1997
Electrical SystemSteering
COMPUTER COMMAND FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE STALL.
NHTSA ODI #520355
Mileage unknown · May 6, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury
WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THE ENGINE STOPED, WHEN STARTED AGAIN THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET COULD DEVELOP METAL CRACKS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE CRACKS MAY RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE LOWERCONTROL ARM. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT INLOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSPECT ALL VEHICLES AND REPLACE ENGINE CRADLE ASSEMBLY ON ALL SUSPECT VEHICLES.
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
DP89012 · Steering Failure
Opened Jun 27, 1989 · Closed Oct 12, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
STEERING FAILURE
PE89035 · Stop Lamps
Opened Jan 19, 1989 · Closed May 24, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
SUMMARY:A CHEVROLET SERVICE BULLETIN DATED JULY 1988 INDICATES THAT BOTHSOCKETS MUST BE REPLACED USING PART NUMBER 5972532.THIS SERVICE STOCKUSES A NEW HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL.PRODUCTION STOCK WAS ALSO CORRECTEDBEGINNING WITH VINS J7163799 AND JJ187909.===
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
1988 Chevrolet Celebrity Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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