RoadVitals

1988 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.
39
Latest Feb 10, 2003
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.
5
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.
0
2 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 39 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity, most frequently naming the steering, engine and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 5 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

  • Steering1122.0%
  • Engine816.0%
  • Electrical612.0%
  • Seat belts612.0%
  • Brakes48.0%
  • Interior & seats36.0%
  • Tires & wheels24.0%
  • Exterior lighting24.0%

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
88V164000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Oct 18, 1988
27,369 units potentially affected
The defect: FUEL FEED HOSE COULD LEAK AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT INAN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
The remedy: INSTALL NEW FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
88V048000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Apr 1, 1988
3,428 units potentially affected
The defect: FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET COULD DEVELOP METAL CRACKS.
The risk: THESE CRACKS MAY RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE LOWERCONTROL ARM. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT INLOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: INSPECT ALL VEHICLES AND REPLACE ENGINE CRADLE ASSEMBLY ON ALL SUSPECT VEHICLES.
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
PE91142ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION

Opened Oct 25, 1991
Closed Jan 22, 1992

There is no summary currently available

STEERING
DP89012ClosedDefect Petition

STEERING FAILURE

Opened Jun 27, 1989
Closed Oct 12, 1989

STEERING FAILURE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PE89035ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STOP LAMPS

Opened Jan 19, 1989
Closed May 24, 1989

SUMMARY:A CHEVROLET SERVICE BULLETIN DATED JULY 1988 INDICATES THAT BOTHSOCKETS MUST BE REPLACED USING PART NUMBER 5972532.THIS SERVICE STOCKUSES A NEW HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL.PRODUCTION STOCK WAS ALSO CORRECTEDBEGINNING WITH VINS J7163799 AND JJ187909.===

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 39
Seat belts
Filed Feb 10, 2003

1988 CHEVEROLET CELEBRITY. MANUFACRURER DOES NOT STOCK OR SELL REPLACEMENT SEAT BELTS OR PARTS. THE PART IS A PLASTIC CLIP THAT GOES OVER THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. PROBABLY A $1.00 PART. BUT THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THAT THEY CANNOT PROVIDE THE CLIP OR THE BELT. AM I SUPPOSED TO THROW AWAY A CAR THAT IS OTHERWISE PERFECT?? IS NOT THE MANUFACURER REQUIRED TO PROVIDE AVAILABILITY OF REPLACEMENT SAFETY PARTS? THERE ARE MILLIONS OF THESE GM CARS STILL ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID
10005627
Incident
Feb 10, 2003
Mileage
75,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 7, 2001

TREADS WERE SEPARATING FROM BODY OF ALL FOUR TIRES, WHILE MUCH OF TREAD REMAINED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: Y7J9PL3146 TIRESIZE: P195/70R14)

NHTSA ID
748036
Incident
Jan 3, 2000
Engine
Filed Sep 14, 1999

ENGINE CRADLE MOUNTING BOLT AND ATTACHING HARDWARE RUSTED THROUGH AND SHEERED AT BODY FRAME. ATTACHING LOCKING NUT AND REMAINDER OF MOUNTING BOLT STILL INSIDE BODY FRAME. ENGINE SHIFTS AND FRONT CONTROL ARM SHIFT DURING OPERATION. LOSS OF SECOND RIGHT SIDE MOUNTING SUPPORT STRUCTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING AND CRASH. GM REFERRED ME TO LOCAL DEALER, WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED BY THE OWNER, WHICH WOULD INDETAIL CUTTING OPEN THE FRAME AND REPLACING LOCKING NUT AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE AND REWELDING FRAME. CONTACTED NHTSA WHO ALSO COULD NOT LOCATE A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THERE ARE SIMILAR RECALLS OUT FOR GM VEHICLES WITH CRADLE PROBLEMS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS ACCIDENT FREE. THE DEFECT TO MY BELIEF IS DESIGN AND WEATHER INDUCED. PROPER HARDWARE AND DESIGN WOULD PREVENT THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
711340
Incident
Aug 10, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Mar 17, 1998

SEAT BELTS DO NOT HOLD CAR SEATS EFFICIENTLY, POOR STABILITY.

NHTSA ID
532691
Electrical
Filed Mar 17, 1998

IGNITION SWITCH CAN BE STARTED WITHOUT KEY, WHEN KEY IS REMOVED FROM IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE CONTINUES TO RUN.

NHTSA ID
532690
BrakesEngineTransmission
Filed Feb 18, 1998

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, DUE TO OVERHEATING.

NHTSA ID
530670
Steering
Filed Nov 13, 1997

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

NHTSA ID
819932
Incident
Nov 13, 1997
Steering
Filed Oct 28, 1997

COLD POWER STEERING.

NHTSA ID
526668

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
1988Viewing393554.3
1987441547.0
1986333365.0
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.