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1987 Chevrolet NovaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 15 owner complaints about the 1987 Chevrolet Nova, most often about the power train. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints152 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem7Power train

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 6, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Chevrolet Nova has problems

15 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
Power train71
Seat belts41
Steering10
Tires10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Latches/locks/linkages10

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

0 recalls

1987 Chevrolet Nova recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1987 vs. every other Nova 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 Nova median. How we score

'65'66'67'68'69'71'72'73'74'75'77'78'84'86'87'88'90
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Nova owners report

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

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FRONT WHEEL LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING AT 50-55 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIRS SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT LOCK UP WAS DUE TO LACK OF FRONT AXLE LUBRICATION. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
Complaint 880688 · Feb 15, 2001
WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN SPEEDOMETER CABLE SNAPPED. 10 MILES LATER, ENTIRE FRONT END LOCKED UP DUE A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. *AK THE MECHANIC DETERMIND THAT THE TRANS CASE, ALL GEARS AND RIGHT AND LEFT C.V. SHAFTS WERE BROKEN AS THE RESULT OF FRONT END LOCK UP. *YH
Complaint 872427 · Oct 6, 2000
WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE OR PULL. DEALER SAYS TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT 12 TIMES. *AK
Complaint 833757 · Jan 20, 1999

Own a 1987 Nova?

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