RoadVitals

1986 Chevrolet Celebrity

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Jan 9, 2009
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7
4 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity, most frequently naming the steering, electrical and seat belts categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering924.3%
  • Electrical616.2%
  • Seat belts513.5%
  • Body & structure410.8%
  • Interior & seats38.1%
  • Brakes38.1%
  • Fuel system12.7%
  • Exterior lighting12.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
86V131000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Sep 19, 1986
106,111 units potentially affected
The defect: THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
86V056000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Apr 28, 1986
93,317 units potentially affected
The defect: THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NOTE: ALSO, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 86V131000.
The remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE94048ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILURE

Opened Jun 21, 1994
Closed Dec 30, 1994

There is no summary currently available

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PE91120ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FRONT BRAKE DISC/HUB SEP

Opened Aug 30, 1991
Closed Nov 4, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA87006ClosedEngineering Analysis

POWER ST. ASSIST

Opened Dec 16, 1986
Closed Sep 19, 1988

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER:GM HAS DEVELOPED A SPLITRING FIELD REPAIR KIT AND IS EXTENDING THE WARRANRY ON ALL 1982-84 A,J, AND X, BODY CARS AND 1985 C,BODY CARS.THE WARRANTY APPLIES TO CARSTHAT ARE FOR 50,000 MILES OR 5 YRS.IT INCLUDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUSREPAIRS.ANALYSIS:WEARING OF THE RACK AND PINION HOUSING AND LOW AMBIENT TEMPCAN CAUSE TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST.TEFLON O RINGS FAIL TO SEALOFF INTERNAL PRESSURE.STATUS:EVALUATING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER BY GM.======

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 33
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 9, 2009

I WENT TO AUTO RECALLS .ORG AND FOUND RECALL ON MY 1986 CHEVY CELEBRITY 33,000 MILES. CONTACTED DEALER KOOL CHEVROLET 3770 PLAINFIELD NE GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN 49505 (616)-364-9431 THEY SAID THEY COULD ONLY TRACE VIN NUMBERS BACK TO 1990.WAS REFERRED TO GM 1-800-222-1020 (SERVICE REQUEST 71-693324446) I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL AND I SHOULD TAKE IT IN AND PAY TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE SAME THING. I AM THE SECOND OWNER HAVING PURCHASED IT IN THE LAST YEAR. MIKE RUSSELL *TR

NHTSA ID
10254355
Incident
Jan 9, 2009
Mileage
33,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 11, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 CHEVEROLET CELEBRITY STATION WAGON. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR DOUGLAS TIRES, SIZE 195/75R14. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A TIRE STORE FOR A ROUTINE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT TIRES. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, WHEN PURCHASING TIRES FROM WAL-MART, THE TIRES DID NOT FIT CORRECTLY DUE TO IMPROPER LUBRICATION AND MOUNTING. AS A RESULT, THE TIRES MADE A THUMPING SOUND WHEN DRIVING. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 350,000.

NHTSA ID
10233994
Incident
Apr 16, 2008
Mileage
350,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 28, 2001
Crash reported1 injury reported

RECLINING BUCKET SEAT RECLINED ON ITS OWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
741699
Incident
Feb 22, 2001
Body & structureSteering
Filed Jul 19, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET HEARD A NOISE, STEERING CAME LOOSE. PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION, AND THE LOWER A FRAME ON THE LEFT FRONT WHICH IS BOLTED INTO THE CRADLE BROKE. MOUNT WHERE THE A FRAME BOLTS IN HAD CRACKED WHICH CAUSED THE A FRAME TO COME LOOSE AT THAT POINT. SINCE IT WAS NOT ATTACHED STEERING WAS NOT EFFECTIVE.*AK

NHTSA ID
865669
Incident
May 19, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jul 3, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
724859
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 16, 1999

AFTER MARKET CRUISE CONTROL UNIT INSTALLED, SHORTLY AFTER THE INSTALLATION THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATED THE ENGINE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH, DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH ALL AFTER MARKET CRUISE CONTROL UNITS. MJS

NHTSA ID
549536
Brakes
Filed Nov 3, 1999

THE CONSUMER HAD CRUISE CONTROL INSTALLED ON VEHICLE, SHORTLY AFTER THE ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATED THE ENGINE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH. *SLC

NHTSA ID
783622
Body & structure
Filed Jul 13, 1998

FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT DUE TO THE LACK OF UNDERCOATING UNDER VEHICLE. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK

NHTSA ID
825349

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Celebrity by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1992101—
1991101—
1990721—
1989391252.1
1988393554.3
1987441547.0
1986Viewing333365.0
1985153458.0
1984846—
1983225—
1982124—
1981001—
1980001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.