1989 Chevrolet CelebrityProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 39 owner complaints about the 1989 Chevrolet Celebrity, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the Celebrity median · #1 of 5 years by complaints

Safety recalls1Free fix at dealers Owner complaints3910 with a crash, fire or injury Top problem7Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 18, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Chevrolet Celebrity has problems

39 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

7Service brakes, hydraulic1 crash/fire/injury

6Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury

5Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury

5Seat belts1 crash/fire/injury

4Tires1 crash/fire/injury

4Structure

3Latches/locks/linkages

2Visibility

2Vehicle speed control

86 other systems1 crash/fire/injury

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.

Complaints by system
System	Complaints	Crash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic	7	1
Electrical system	6	1
Engine and engine cooling	5	1
Seat belts	5	1
Tires	4	1
Structure	4	0
Latches/locks/linkages	3	0
Visibility	2	0
Vehicle speed control	2	0
6 other systems	8	1

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

1 recall

1989 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

Front: anchorage

Recall 95V-173 · Sep 15, 1995 · 2,216,325 vehicles

Risk. 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.

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

1989 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

1 2 8 15 33 44 39 39 7 1 1

'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92

Avoid
Caution
Solid
Best
Not rated

2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Chevrolet Celebrity, and the recalls they led to.

Apr 12, 1989
BRAKE LAMP SWITCHPE89117 · closed Jul 5, 1989
No recall
Jun 21, 1994
SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILUREPE94048 · closed Dec 30, 1994
No recall

In owners' words

What Celebrity owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONTINUOUS FAILURE OF BRAKES WITH COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ROTORS AND REBUILT CALIPERS. FAILURE NOW HAS EXTENDED TO REAR BRAKES LOCKING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
Complaint 963732 · Apr 12, 1995

FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR DRUMS, SHOES AND WHEEL CYLINDERS, ONLY MODERATE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WILL CAUSE THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND SKID. IN WET CONDITIONS THE REAR END CAN FISHTAIL LEADING TO POTENTIAL DISASTER. PROBLEM WAS NEVER NOTICED IN PREVIOUS 9 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THE FRONT…
Complaint 717107 · Jan 9, 2000

Own a 1989 Celebrity?

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