Total Complaints
53 filings
CHEVROLET CELEBRITY · model year
53 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1989CHEVROLETCELEBRITY carries 53 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. 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 1989 CELEBRITY is seat belts:front:buckle assembly with 4 filings, followed by tires (4) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (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 1989 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.
Total Complaints
53 filings
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 4 |
| TIRES | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM | 3 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | 1 |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM | 1 |
1989 CHEVY CELEBRITY SUFFERED A TIRE BLOWOUT. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND SPUN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY THEN STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT. *NJ THE CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 19-0473-91 UPDATED 04/15/10 *BF
THE ROOF RACK HAD SEPARATED WITH TWO BIKES ATTACHED TO IT WHILE IN MOTION, AND HAD FLOWN OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE THIN FABRICATION OF THE HEATER CORE TUBING ALLOWED LEAKAGE INTO THE VEHICLE WHICH CAN CAUSE PROLONGED INHALATION OF TOXIC FUMES, AND THE SENSOR THAT HITS ON THE CAMSHAFT HAS A SMALL MAGNET AFFIXED TO IT WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE PARTIALLY MISSING. MR SCC
THE ROOF RACK HAD SEPARATED WITH TWO BIKES ATTACHED TO IT WHILE IN MOTION, AND HAD FLOWN OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE THIN FABRICATION OF THE HEATER CORE TUBING ALLOWED LEAKAGE INTO THE VEHICLE WHICH CAN CAUSE PROLONGED INHALATION OF TOXIC FUMES, AND THE SENSOR THAT HITS ON THE CAMSHAFT HAS A SMALL MAGNET AFFIXED TO IT WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE PARTIALLY MISSING. MR SCC
THE ROOF RACK HAD SEPARATED WITH TWO BIKES ATTACHED TO IT WHILE IN MOTION, AND HAD FLOWN OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE THIN FABRICATION OF THE HEATER CORE TUBING ALLOWED LEAKAGE INTO THE VEHICLE WHICH CAN CAUSE PROLONGED INHALATION OF TOXIC FUMES, AND THE SENSOR THAT HITS ON THE CAMSHAFT HAS A SMALL MAGNET AFFIXED TO IT WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE PARTIALLY MISSING. MR SCC
DRIVER'S SIDE BUCKLE WOULD NOT LATCH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND WERE UNABLE TO FIND A REPLACEMENT PART. ASKING NHTSA TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
PE00 048 CONSUMER BOUGHT TWO MICHELIN TIRES FROM SEARS, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE TIRES WERE DRY ROTTEN, AND MANAGER AT SEARS TOLD HER THAT TIRES WERE NOT ON WARRANTY FOR ROTTEN TIRES. *AK
THIS TIRE FAILED 3 TIMES, EACH TIME DUE TO STUD PENETRATION. WE PURCHASED THESE TIRES FROM LES SCHWAB IN NOVEMBER OF 2000. THE THREE STUD PENETRATIONS OCCURED ON 2-1-01, 2-7-01 AND 2-8-01. EACH TIME WE TOOK THE TIRE BACK TO LES SCHWAB, THEY PATCHED THE AREA WHERE THE STUD(S) HAD PENETRATED FREE OF CHARGE AS STATED IN THEIR SERVICE WARRANTY AGREEMENT. ON THE THIRD OCCURANCE, WE REPLACED THE TIRE AND RETAINED IT FOR EVIDENCE AND WAS INFORMED BY LES SCHWAB THAT THIS BRAND OF STUDDED TIRE WAS VERY LIKELY TO HAVE A STUD PENETRATION PROBLEM AND THAT THEY WERE DEALING WITH A HIGH VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS. THEY SUGGESTED THAT WE CONTACT AN ATTORNEY AND THE NHTSA DUE TO PROBLEMS THAT WE HAD WITH THE TIRE. THE SECOND OCCURANCE HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE IN ROUTE TO BEND OR. WHICH IS 135 MILES FROM OUR TOWN ON HWY 97 WHICH IS A 55 MPH ZONE. WHEN WE ARRIVED IN BEND ONLY THEN WERE WE INFORMED BY A FELLOW MOTORIST THAT WE HAD A VERY FLAT TIRE. THE THIRD OCCURANCE HAPPENED THAT NIGHT WHILE WE WERE SLEEPING.
PURCHASE DATE 3/16/2000 FELT BUMP AND I STOP CAR .TIRE WAS COMPLETELY RIPED APART (THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS LINE ALSO) (DOT NUMBER: U9KA TIRESIZE: P195/75R14)
SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD NOT UNLATCH, AND WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, OWNER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT. *AK *ML
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40-45MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, ALL OF A SUDDEN WAS HIT FROM THE REAR. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED, AND HINGE BROKE ON THE INSIDE, THROWING CONSUMER TO HIS BACK AT AN ANGLE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK
ENGINE FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS
FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR DRUMS, SHOES AND WHEEL CYLINDERS, ONLY MODERATE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WILL CAUSE THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND SKID. IN WET CONDITIONS THE REAR END CAN FISHTAIL LEADING TO POTENTIAL DISASTER. PROBLEM WAS NEVER NOTICED IN PREVIOUS 9 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THE FRONT DISC BRAKES APPEAR TO BE OPERATING AND THE PEDAL FEEL DOES NOT INDICATE AIR IN THE SYSTEM. THE GARAGE HAS LOOKED AT THE BRAKES ON TWO OCCASIONS AND MADE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS AND REPLACED THE SHOES ONCE (LESS THAN A YEAR), BUT COULD FIND NOTHING ELSE. PLEASE ADVISE. *AK
FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR DRUMS, SHOES AND WHEEL CYLINDERS, ONLY MODERATE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WILL CAUSE THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND SKID. IN WET CONDITIONS THE REAR END CAN FISHTAIL LEADING TO POTENTIAL DISASTER. PROBLEM WAS NEVER NOTICED IN PREVIOUS 9 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THE FRONT DISC BRAKES APPEAR TO BE OPERATING AND THE PEDAL FEEL DOES NOT INDICATE AIR IN THE SYSTEM. THE GARAGE HAS LOOKED AT THE BRAKES ON TWO OCCASIONS AND MADE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS AND REPLACED THE SHOES ONCE (LESS THAN A YEAR), BUT COULD FIND NOTHING ELSE. PLEASE ADVISE. *AK
FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR DRUMS, SHOES AND WHEEL CYLINDERS, ONLY MODERATE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WILL CAUSE THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND SKID. IN WET CONDITIONS THE REAR END CAN FISHTAIL LEADING TO POTENTIAL DISASTER. PROBLEM WAS NEVER NOTICED IN PREVIOUS 9 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THE FRONT DISC BRAKES APPEAR TO BE OPERATING AND THE PEDAL FEEL DOES NOT INDICATE AIR IN THE SYSTEM. THE GARAGE HAS LOOKED AT THE BRAKES ON TWO OCCASIONS AND MADE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS AND REPLACED THE SHOES ONCE (LESS THAN A YEAR), BUT COULD FIND NOTHING ELSE. PLEASE ADVISE. *AK
THE INFORMATION ON OUR CAR RECEIVED FROM 'WWW.CARFAX.COM' SAYS ABOUT ODOMETER ROLLED BACK BY MORE THAN 80,000MILES. IT LOOKS LIKE THAT WAS DONE BY A DEALER. IT IS EASY TO SEE THAT THE ODOMETER IS REMOVED FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR IT WAS REGISTERED AT NY DMV WITH THE ODOMETER READING 66705. IF THE 'CARFAX' INFORMATION IS CORRECT SOMEBODY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. THANK YOU.
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. WINDSHEILD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK
WHILE WAITING IN STOPPED TRAFFIC, HE CAR SUDDENLY TRIED TO LURCH FORWARD, THE IDLE BEGAN REVVING AS IF I WAS GOING EXTREMELY FAST AND I HAD TO PLACE ALL MY WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GOING FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. ONE PERIOD OF IT OCCURED EVERY DAY FROM 11/5/96 TO 11/30/96. ALSO AT TIMES THE ODORMETER HAS SUDDENLY STARTED CLICKING MILES VERY FAST. IN ONE MILE STRETCH 200 MILES WERE ADDED TO THE ODORMETER. THIS STOPPED AFTER COMPLETE STOP.
FUEL INJECTORS FAILED DUE TO FAULTY WIRING.
ENGINE STALLS UPON COMING TO A STOP.
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
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.