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1988 Chevrolet Nova

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
11Owner complaints

Model-year median: 0

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
4
198615
198711
19881
1990
Compare all Nova years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
4Seat Belts
3Electrical System
2Latches/locks/linkages
1Seats
1
All reported categories
Tires
1

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 11 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

11 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2002
Power TrainInjury

FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THE CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY. RESULTING IN A REAREND COLLISION. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE MOTOR WOULD CRANK AND RUN BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE.

NHTSA ODI #9005280

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2001
Latches/locks/linkagesTires

VEHICLE HOOD LATCH FAILED DUE TO TIRE VIBRATION AT 65 MPH, CAUSING HOOD TO CRUMPLE INTO WINDSHIELD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #745547

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 1997
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE.

NHTSA ODI #604429

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 1997
SeatsCrashInjury

UPON FRONTAL IMPACT ITEMS IN TRUNK MOVED FORWARD, STRIKING REAR SEAT BACK, CAUSING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE, ITEMS STUCK CHILD, RESULTING IN DEATH.

NHTSA ODI #602474

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 1997
Electrical System

REAR LIGHTS BURNE DOUT DUE TO A SHORT IN FUSIBLE LINK

NHTSA ODI #999999999

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 1997
Electrical SystemFire

TAIL LIGHTS' WIRING HARNESS BURNED OUT/MELTED, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #513371

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1996
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #601917

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 1996
Power TrainCrash

VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE IN PARK, KILLING OWNER. *DSH

NHTSA ODI #500929

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 1995
Seat Belts

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT OPEN. TT

NHTSA ODI #971264

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 1995
Power Train

ABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE CAR IS IN DRIVE AND THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE BACK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ODI #969991

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.