Illustration1989 CHEVY CELEBRITY SUFFERED A TIRE BLOWOUT. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND SPUN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY THEN STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT. *NJ THE CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 19-0473-91 UPDATED 04/15/10 *BF
1989 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: 0 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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. 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.
4 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
39 reportsTHE ROOF RACK HAD SEPARATED WITH TWO BIKES ATTACHED TO IT WHILE IN MOTION, AND HAD FLOWN OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE THIN FABRICATION OF THE HEATER CORE TUBING ALLOWED LEAKAGE INTO THE VEHICLE WHICH CAN CAUSE PROLONGED INHALATION OF TOXIC FUMES, AND THE SENSOR THAT HITS ON THE CAMSHAFT HAS A SMALL MAGNET AFFIXED TO IT WHICH WAS FOU…
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THE ROOF RACK HAD SEPARATED WITH TWO BIKES ATTACHED TO IT WHILE IN MOTION, AND HAD FLOWN OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE THIN FABRICATION OF THE HEATER CORE TUBING ALLOWED LEAKAGE INTO THE VEHICLE WHICH CAN CAUSE PROLONGED INHALATION OF TOXIC FUMES, AND THE SENSOR THAT HITS ON THE CAMSHAFT HAS A SMALL MAGNET AFFIXED TO IT WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE PARTIALLY MISSING. MR SCC
DRIVER'S SIDE BUCKLE WOULD NOT LATCH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND WERE UNABLE TO FIND A REPLACEMENT PART. ASKING NHTSA TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
PE00 048 CONSUMER BOUGHT TWO MICHELIN TIRES FROM SEARS, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE TIRES WERE DRY ROTTEN, AND MANAGER AT SEARS TOLD HER THAT TIRES WERE NOT ON WARRANTY FOR ROTTEN TIRES. *AK
THIS TIRE FAILED 3 TIMES, EACH TIME DUE TO STUD PENETRATION. WE PURCHASED THESE TIRES FROM LES SCHWAB IN NOVEMBER OF 2000. THE THREE STUD PENETRATIONS OCCURED ON 2-1-01, 2-7-01 AND 2-8-01. EACH TIME WE TOOK THE TIRE BACK TO LES SCHWAB, THEY PATCHED THE AREA WHERE THE STUD(S) HAD PENETRATED FREE OF CHARGE AS STATED IN THEIR SERVI…
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THIS TIRE FAILED 3 TIMES, EACH TIME DUE TO STUD PENETRATION. WE PURCHASED THESE TIRES FROM LES SCHWAB IN NOVEMBER OF 2000. THE THREE STUD PENETRATIONS OCCURED ON 2-1-01, 2-7-01 AND 2-8-01. EACH TIME WE TOOK THE TIRE BACK TO LES SCHWAB, THEY PATCHED THE AREA WHERE THE STUD(S) HAD PENETRATED FREE OF CHARGE AS STATED IN THEIR SERVICE WARRANTY AGREEMENT. ON THE THIRD OCCURANCE, WE REPLACED THE TIRE AND RETAINED IT FOR EVIDENCE AND WAS INFORMED BY LES SCHWAB THAT THIS BRAND OF STUDDED TIRE WAS VERY LIKELY TO HAVE A STUD PENETRATION PROBLEM AND THAT THEY WERE DEALING WITH A HIGH VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS. THEY SUGGESTED THAT WE CONTACT AN ATTORNEY AND THE NHTSA DUE TO PROBLEMS THAT WE HAD WITH THE TIRE. THE SECOND OCCURANCE HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE IN ROUTE TO BEND OR. WHICH IS 135 MILES FROM OUR TOWN ON HWY 97 WHICH IS A 55 MPH ZONE. WHEN WE ARRIVED IN BEND ONLY THEN WERE WE INFORMED BY A FELLOW MOTORIST THAT WE HAD A VERY FLAT TIRE. THE THIRD OCCURANCE HAPPENED THAT NIGHT WHILE WE WERE SLEEPING. WE WOKE UP TO FIND THAT OUR TIRE WAS SO FLAT WE WERE UNABLE TO REINFLATE IT WITHOUT THE USE OF "FIX-A-FLAT". THEN WE WENT TO THE LES SCHWAB ON 97, REPLACED THE TIRE AND THE PEOPLE THAT TOOK CARE OF US INFORMED OF THE PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH THIS PARTICULAR BRAND AND TYPE OF STUDDED TIRE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: HYJ7WF2 TIRESIZE: P185/75R14)
PURCHASE DATE 3/16/2000 FELT BUMP AND I STOP CAR .TIRE WAS COMPLETELY RIPED APART (THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS LINE ALSO) (DOT NUMBER: U9KA TIRESIZE: P195/75R14)
SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD NOT UNLATCH, AND WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, OWNER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT. *AK *ML
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40-45MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, ALL OF A SUDDEN WAS HIT FROM THE REAR. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED, AND HINGE BROKE ON THE INSIDE, THROWING CONSUMER TO HIS BACK AT AN ANGLE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK
FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR DRUMS, SHOES AND WHEEL CYLINDERS, ONLY MODERATE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WILL CAUSE THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND SKID. IN WET CONDITIONS THE REAR END CAN FISHTAIL LEADING TO POTENTIAL DISASTER. PROBLEM WAS NEVER NOTICED IN PREVIOUS 9 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THE FRONT DISC BRAKES APPEAR TO BE OPERAT…
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FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR DRUMS, SHOES AND WHEEL CYLINDERS, ONLY MODERATE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WILL CAUSE THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND SKID. IN WET CONDITIONS THE REAR END CAN FISHTAIL LEADING TO POTENTIAL DISASTER. PROBLEM WAS NEVER NOTICED IN PREVIOUS 9 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THE FRONT DISC BRAKES APPEAR TO BE OPERATING AND THE PEDAL FEEL DOES NOT INDICATE AIR IN THE SYSTEM. THE GARAGE HAS LOOKED AT THE BRAKES ON TWO OCCASIONS AND MADE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS AND REPLACED THE SHOES ONCE (LESS THAN A YEAR), BUT COULD FIND NOTHING ELSE. PLEASE ADVISE. *AK
THE INFORMATION ON OUR CAR RECEIVED FROM 'WWW.CARFAX.COM' SAYS ABOUT ODOMETER ROLLED BACK BY MORE THAN 80,000MILES. IT LOOKS LIKE THAT WAS DONE BY A DEALER. IT IS EASY TO SEE THAT THE ODOMETER IS REMOVED FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS REGISTERED AT NY DMV WITH THE ODOMETER READING 66705. IF THE 'CARF…
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THE INFORMATION ON OUR CAR RECEIVED FROM 'WWW.CARFAX.COM' SAYS ABOUT ODOMETER ROLLED BACK BY MORE THAN 80,000MILES. IT LOOKS LIKE THAT WAS DONE BY A DEALER. IT IS EASY TO SEE THAT THE ODOMETER IS REMOVED FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS REGISTERED AT NY DMV WITH THE ODOMETER READING 66705. IF THE 'CARFAX' INFORMATION IS CORRECT SOMEBODY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. THANK YOU.
Official recalls
195V173000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Sep 15, 1995
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN A COLLISON, STRESS CAN CAUSE THE ATTACHMENT METAL TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHORAGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ANCHOR BOLTS WITH A NEW SHOULDER BOLT AND THREAD LOCKING ADHESIVE. ADDITIONALLY, NOISE CONTROL PATCHES WILL BE APPLIED AT EACH ANCHORAGE.
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
2PE94048 · 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
PE89117 · Brake Lamp Switch
Opened Apr 12, 1989 · Closed Jul 5, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SUMMARY:CHEVROLET DEALER SERVICE BULLETIN OUTLINES PROCEDURES FORCORRECTING MISADJUSTED BRAKE LAMP SWITCH.OTHER VEHICLE MANUFACTURERSHAVE TAKEN MORE FORMAL ACTIONS TO CORRECT SIMILAR PROBLEMS.===