IllustrationHOSES INSIDE OF VEHICLE WERE CROSSED WRONGLY FROM DEALERSHIP, AND VEHICLE HAD BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE.*AK
1988 Chevrolet Spectrum
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 Spectrum years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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 5 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. 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
5 reportsWHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT BECAUSE OF FRONT END MISALIGNMENT. ALSO, THE TIRES WORE OUT DUE TO THE TIRES RUBBING ON METAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
FIREWALL BROKE, CAUSING CLUTCH TO FAIL. *DSH
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)*SD
CLUTCH CABLE PULLED THROUGH FIREWALL WHICH INTERRUPTED DRIVING SEQUENCE. TT
Official recalls
288V046000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Mar 29, 1988
THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION VALVE MAY PROVIDE INADEQUATE AIR FLOW UNDER LOW ENGINE LOAD CONDITIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW WATER/OIL MIXTURE TO BUILD UPIN THE HOSE FROM THE OIL SEPARATOR TO THE AIR INLET DUCT. AFTER THE ENGINE ISSTOPPED, THIS WATER/OIL MIXTURE CAN, UNDER COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, FREEZE ANDCOMPLETELY BLOCK THE OIL SEPARATOR AIR DUCT HOSE. THIS BLOCKAGE WILL RESULT ININCREASED PRESSURE WITHIN THE CRANKCASE. THIS CAN CAUSE OIL LEAKS, IF ASUFFICIENT QUANTITY OF OIL CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: THE PCV VALVE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW VALVE.
88V036000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Mar 23, 1988
PERFORATION OF THE FUEL TANK OR THE ATTACHED FUEL FEED PIPE DUE TO CORROSION OF THE TANK OR FUEL FEED PIPE MATERIALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FUELTANK AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. SUCH A FIRE COULDSPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED ON ALL INVOLVED 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.