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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

Power Train complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
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 · 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 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.