Total Complaints
62 filings
CHEVROLET CELEBRITY · model year
1988 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY
62 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1988CHEVROLETCELEBRITY carries 62 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1988 CELEBRITY is steering:rack and pinion with 6 filings, followed by steering: steering wheel/handle bar (4) and engine and engine cooling:engine (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1988 CELEBRITY, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
62
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 6 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 2 |
| EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT | 2 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
Recent Complaints
20030210SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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.
Mileage: 75,000
20010712TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREADS WERE SEPARATING FROM BODY OF ALL FOUR TIRES, WHILE MUCH OF TREAD REMAINED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: Y7J9PL3146 TIRESIZE: P195/70R14)
19990914ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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.
19980407ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH CAN BE STARTED WITHOUT KEY, WHEN KEY IS REMOVED FROM IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE CONTINUES TO RUN.
19980407SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELTS DO NOT HOLD CAR SEATS EFFICIENTLY, POOR STABILITY.
19980323POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, DUE TO OVERHEATING.
19980323ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
UPPER AND LOWER WATER HOSES FAILED.
19980323SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINING FAILED.
19971113STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
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
19971113STEERING:RACK AND PINION
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
19971113STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
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
19971028STEERING:RACK AND PINION
COLD POWER STEERING.
19970814ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
COMPUTER COMMAND FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE STALL.
19970814STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
STEERING RACK LEAKS.
19970627FatalENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THE ENGINE STOPED, WHEN STARTED AGAIN THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
19970122ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WIFE DRIVING HOME, HAD STOPPED AT LIGHT, STARTED TO PULL AWAY, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM DASHBOARD AREA & UNDER HOOD, PULLED VEHICLE OFF ROAD. HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE IT IS NOW. *AK
19970107STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILURE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
19970107STEERING:RACK AND PINION
POWER STEERING FAILURE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
19961230SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR BRAKES HAVE A TENDENCY TO LOCK UP ON WET ROAD SURFACE OR DRY ROAD SURFACE UNDER HARD BRAKING. *AK
19960913STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR WHEN FIRST STARTING, THE STEERING WHEEL HANGS UP WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. *AK
Compare 1988CHEVROLETCELEBRITY to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1988 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY have?▼
The 1988 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY has 62 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1988 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY?▼
The most-complained component for the 1988 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY is STEERING:RACK AND PINION with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 1988 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.