RoadVitals

1987 Chevrolet Nova Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
15
Latest Feb 6, 2006
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1987 Chevrolet Nova, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Seat belts425.0%
  • Powertrain (other)425.0%
  • Transmission425.0%
  • Brakes16.3%
  • Steering16.3%
  • Interior & seats16.3%
  • Tires & wheels16.3%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1987 CHEVROLET NOVA DOES NOT SECURE PASSENGER PROPERLY. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT CATCH AND STOP WHEN HE GRABS THEM ABRUPTLY AS HE WOULD EXPECT IN AN ACCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ID 10150817 · filed Feb 6, 2006

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. *SLC

NHTSA ID 785284 · filed Feb 17, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE TRANSAXLE FLUID WAS 1.5 QUARTS LOW (EMPTY) CAUSING THE TRANSAXLE TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. NLM

NHTSA ID 559798 · filed Feb 21, 2001

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

NHTSA ID 880688 · filed Feb 15, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 872427 · filed 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

NHTSA ID 833757 · filed Jan 20, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

OWNER CLAIMS RAYBESTOS BRAND BRAKE HOSES MIDDLE MOUNTING SECTION MANUFACTURED BACKWARDS. HOSE CANNOT BE MOUNTED AS DESIGNED, DANGEROUS BYPASSING OF MIDDLE MOUNT LIKELY.

NHTSA ID 540289 · filed Aug 23, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

{1}NORTH BOUND FREEWAY WORK RIGHT LANE FROM, LINDON EXIT TO SALT LAKE CITY. THERE ARE SEVERAL GROOVES, HOLES AND UNEVEN LANES. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES THIS YEAR, MY RIGHT FRONT AXLE IS BAD AS WELL AS THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS I NEED NEW TIRES AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE FREEWAY PROBLEMS. WILL YOU HELP? *JB

NHTSA ID 10142343 · filed Nov 9, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE HOOD ON THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STAY LATCHED. TT

NHTSA ID 979374 · filed Feb 20, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

{1}NORTH BOUND FREEWAY WORK RIGHT LANE FROM, LINDON EXIT TO SALT LAKE CITY. THERE ARE SEVERAL GROOVES, HOLES AND UNEVEN LANES. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES THIS YEAR, MY RIGHT FRONT AXLE IS BAD AS WELL AS THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS I NEED NEW TIRES AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE FREEWAY PROBLEMS. WILL YOU HELP? *JB

NHTSA ID 10142343 · filed Nov 9, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .