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1988 Chevrolet CelebrityProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 39 owner complaints about the 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity, most often about the steering. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

56
CarFlaw IndexSolid year20% below the Celebrity median · #4 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints391 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem11Steering

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 10, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity has problems

39 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering110
Electrical system80
Engine and engine cooling81
Seat belts60
Service brakes, hydraulic40
Tires20
Power train20
Exterior lighting20
Suspension10
6 other systems60

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1988 Chevrolet Celebrity recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 88V-164 · Oct 18, 1988 · 27,369 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT INAN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Celebrity year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Celebrity median. How we score

'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STEERING FAILUREDP89012 · closed Oct 12, 1989
    No recall
  2. BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESSEA89010 · closed May 8, 1990
    No recall
  3. STOP LAMPSPE89035 · closed May 24, 1989
    No recall
  4. STEERING WHEEL SEPARATIONPE91142 · closed Jan 22, 1992
    No recall
  5. SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILUREPE94048 · closed Dec 30, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Celebrity owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

HAD STARTED TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY WHEN STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. HAD NOTICED PUDDLE OF POWER STEERING FLUID IN GARAGE. TOOK TO MECHANIC & INFORMED EITHER THE PUMP, RACK & PINION OR STEERING PUMP HOSES HAD BLOWN. *AK
Complaint 819932 · Nov 13, 1997
POWER STEERING FAILURE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Complaint 807253 · Jan 7, 1997
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR WHEN FIRST STARTING, THE STEERING WHEEL HANGS UP WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. *AK
Complaint 802347 · Sep 13, 1996

Own a 1988 Celebrity?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.