RoadVitals

1986 Chevrolet Spectrum

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.
2
Latest Nov 9, 1999
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.
1
Latest May 26, 1987
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.
1
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet Spectrum, most frequently naming the engine and seat belts categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names 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

  • Engine150.0%
  • Seat belts150.0%

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

1 campaign 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
87V078000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

May 26, 1987
108,268 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE PERFORATION OF THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM. EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONTENT IN THE FUEL PROMOTES DEGRADATION OF THE DIAPHRAGM COATING RESULTING IN RADIAL CRACKING OF THE DIAPHRAGM.
The risk: A PERFORATED DIAPHRAGM CAN ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK FROM THEFUEL PUMP INTO THE UNDERHOOD AREA. THIS COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN ANUNDERHOOD FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. SUCH A FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THEPASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
The remedy: A FUEL VENTILATION HOSE KIT WILL BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT FUEL FROM ESCAPING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IF THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM LEAKS AND THEREBY REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE90062ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SAFETY BELT CUT BY D-RING

Opened Mar 21, 1990
Closed Jul 30, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Nov 9, 1999

I PURCHASED THIS 1986 CHEVROLET SPECTRUM FROM AN INLAW WHO COULDN'T GET IT TO RUN. HE PURCHASED THE CAR FROM SOMEONE ELSE WHO COULDN'T GET IT TO RUN. I PERSONALLY HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS, AND MONEY TRING TO GET THE CAR TO STAY RUNNING. WITH NO POSITIVE RESULT. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP, SPAK PLUGS, WIRES, ROTOR, CAP, 2 DIFFERENT CARBERATORS, THEN A CARBORATOR KIT, DID A COMPRESSION CHECK,( FINE) NO WATER IN THE OIL , TIMING BELT FINE, TIMING EXCELLENT, HOSES IN PLACE AND GOOD. HAVE TAKEN TO MECHANICS AND NO POSITIVE END RESULT. THE CAR STALLS EVERYWHERE ANYWHERE, I HAVE BEEN STRANDED COUNTLESS TIMES. EMBARRASING AND A TOTAL HAZARD TO THE ROAD. THE CAR HAS CAUSED COUNTLESS TRAFFIC JAMS AND I PERSONALLY HAVE HAD TO RUN STOP SIGNS TO KEEP THE CAR GOING. ITS SCARY AND FRUSTRANIG. I SURE WOULDN'T TAKE MY NEICE WITH ME FOR A DRIVE. AND I SURE MISS MY NEICE. I REALLY FEEL THAT ITS A CRIME FOR THE MANUFACTURES NOT TO FIX THE DEFECTIVE PART. IF THEY KNOW IT IS DEFECTIVE THEN FIX THE PROBLEM SO THEY HAVE A GOOD NAME BEHIND THIER PRODUCTS. WHICH MEANS QUALITY INSTEAD OF CRAP. SAM RAMP

NHTSA ID
714516
Incident
Sep 9, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Feb 6, 1995
Crash reported

BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS CAME UNDONE DURING AN ACCIDENT. TT

NHTSA ID
959718
Incident
Sep 7, 1994

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Spectrum by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1989300—
1988520—
1987920—
1986Viewing211—
1985110—

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.