RoadVitals

1988 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.
5
Latest Sep 10, 2002
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.
2
Latest Mar 29, 1988
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.
0
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 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum, most frequently naming the body & structure, brakes and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Body & structure120.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Suspension120.0%
  • Transmission120.0%

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

2 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
88V046000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Mar 29, 1988
8,238 units potentially affected
The defect: THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION VALVE MAY PROVIDE INADEQUATE AIR FLOW UNDER LOW ENGINE LOAD CONDITIONS.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW WATER/OIL MIXTURE TO BUILD UPIN THE HOSE FROM THE OIL SEPARATOR TO THE AIR INLET DUCT. AFTER THE ENGINE ISSTOPPED, THIS WATER/OIL MIXTURE CAN, UNDER COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, FREEZE ANDCOMPLETELY BLOCK THE OIL SEPARATOR AIR DUCT HOSE. THIS BLOCKAGE WILL RESULT ININCREASED PRESSURE WITHIN THE CRANKCASE. THIS CAN CAUSE OIL LEAKS, IF ASUFFICIENT QUANTITY OF OIL CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: THE PCV VALVE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW VALVE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
88V036000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Mar 23, 1988
7,665 units potentially affected
The defect: PERFORATION OF THE FUEL TANK OR THE ATTACHED FUEL FEED PIPE DUE TO CORROSION OF THE TANK OR FUEL FEED PIPE MATERIALS.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FUELTANK AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. SUCH A FIRE COULDSPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
The remedy: THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Sep 10, 2002

HOSES INSIDE OF VEHICLE WERE CROSSED WRONGLY FROM DEALERSHIP, AND VEHICLE HAD BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
8018374
Incident
Oct 17, 2001
Suspension
Filed Dec 1, 1998

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT BECAUSE OF FRONT END MISALIGNMENT. ALSO, THE TIRES WORE OUT DUE TO THE TIRES RUBBING ON METAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
831542
Incident
Jun 12, 1988
Body & structure
Filed Apr 9, 1996

FIREWALL BROKE, CAUSING CLUTCH TO FAIL. *DSH

NHTSA ID
503319
Incident
Oct 1, 1995
Brakes
Filed Oct 11, 1995
Crash reported

BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)*SD

NHTSA ID
488613
Incident
Aug 21, 1995
Transmission
Filed Mar 28, 1995

CLUTCH CABLE PULLED THROUGH FIREWALL WHICH INTERRUPTED DRIVING SEQUENCE. TT

NHTSA ID
962741
Incident
Jan 1, 1995

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Spectrum by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1989300—
1988Viewing520—
1987920—
1986211—
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.