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 7 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.
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 1 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 reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
7 reports
201,000 miles · Aug 20, 2009
Electrical SystemPower TrainCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE WHICH GEAR HE WAS DRIVING IN AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SHIFT INDICATOR WAS UNCLEAR AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPA…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE WHICH GEAR HE WAS DRIVING IN AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SHIFT INDICATOR WAS UNCLEAR AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO EXISTING RECALLS AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME TO REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE SHIFT INDICATION WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE WAS 201,000 UPDATED 9/23/09 *CN THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THE PAINT WAS DULL AND THERE WAS A GLARE FROM THE HIGH GLOSS WINDOW ANGLE. UPDATED 09/28/09. *JB UPDATE 12/14/09 *CN UPDATED 12/16/09*JB
NHTSA ODI #10281220
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS MASTER CYLINDER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10096891
Mileage unknown · May 11, 2004
Tires
NO FAILURE, YET. HAVE TWO B F GOODRICH TIRES DOT BFJ7TT61 P185/75R14 89 S M+S NOTE INDENTATIONS, ON SIDE WALL ABOUT 1/16 INCH DEEP BY .75 TO 1 INCH WIDE RUNNING FROM RIM TO TREAD. IS THIS A PROBLEM? COULD FIND NO INFORMATION ON B F GOODREICH WEB SITE OR IT IS BURIED WELL.
NHTSA ODI #10072388
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2000
Exterior Lighting
TURN SIGNAL BAR FAILED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #552597
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 1999
Parking Brake
WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON, VEHICLE WOULD ROLL. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES SLIDE BAR WOULD RELEASE & MISSING. HAD THE REGULAR BRAKES REINSPECTED & REPAIRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835882
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 1996
Latches/locks/linkages
HOOD LATCH HAS FAILED, UNABLE TO OPEN OR CLOSE HOOD. TT
NHTSA ODI #979301
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1995
Steering
POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION SEAL FAILED, CAUSING ALL THE POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK OUT TWICE/BINDING. *SD
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.
THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND GENERATING SUFFICIENT HEAT TO BURN THE WIRE INSULATION ANDIGNITE THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
Remedy: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
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
1
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
1990 Chevrolet Celebrity Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year