IllustrationWIFE DRIVING HOME, HAD STOPPED AT LIGHT, STARTED TO PULL AWAY, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM DASHBOARD AREA & UNDER HOOD, PULLED VEHICLE OFF ROAD. HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE IT IS NOW. *AK
1988 Chevrolet Celebrity
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Celebrity years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsPOWER STEERING FAILURE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
REAR BRAKES HAVE A TENDENCY TO LOCK UP ON WET ROAD SURFACE OR DRY ROAD SURFACE UNDER HARD BRAKING. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR WHEN FIRST STARTING, THE STEERING WHEEL HANGS UP WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. *AK
FAILURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN, WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP.
STEERING COLUMN CAME LOOSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
BRAKE DISCS WARP, CAUSING BRAKES TO SURGE. *DH
SPEEDOMETER GIVES INACCURATE READINGS. *SD
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. *SD
ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON VEHICLE OVERHEATED. CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. *AK
Official recalls
288V164000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Oct 18, 1988
FUEL FEED HOSE COULD LEAK AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT INAN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
88V048000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Apr 1, 1988
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
5PE94048 · 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