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1986 Chevrolet ChevetteProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 1986 Chevrolet Chevette, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints30 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Vehicle speed control

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 13, 1997. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Chevrolet Chevette has problems

3 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
Vehicle speed control20
Engine and engine cooling10
Fuel system, gasoline10
Power train10
Service brakes, hydraulic10

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

3 recalls

1986 Chevrolet Chevette 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

Lever and linkage: column shift

Recall 88V-050 · Apr 4, 1988 · 370,831 vehicles

Risk. A LEVER WITH THIS CONDITION COULD BE INADVERTENTLY BUMPEDOR MOVED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE BY THE DRIVER OR A PASSENGER WHILE THE VEHICLEIS BEING DRIVEN.

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

1986 vs. every other Chevette 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 Chevette median. How we score

'76'77'80'81'82'83'84'85'86
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Chevrolet Chevette, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SAFETY BELTSDP87009 · closed Feb 10, 1987
    No recall
  2. SHIFTER FAILUREPE88023 · closed Apr 8, 1988
    Led to recall 88V-050
In owners' words

What Chevette owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

VEHICLE OFTEN LOSES POWER AND UNABLE TO GO ABOVE 20 MPH, UNLESS GOING DOWNHILL. HAPPENS PRIMARILY WHEN CRUISING ON HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND THERE IS LITTLE RESPONSE FROM THE ACCELERATOR. PROBLEM CANNOT BE DETERMINED.
Complaint 546837 · Feb 24, 1997

Own a 1986 Chevette?

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