CHEVROLET CELEBRITY · model year

1989 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY

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.

53
Complaints
4
Crashes
2
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

53 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY4
TIRES4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SEATS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE1
STEERING:RACK AND PINION1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM1

Recent Complaints

20080618CrashTIRES

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

20030331VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

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

20030331STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

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

20030331ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

20010710SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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

20010312TIRES

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

20010214TIRES

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.

20001017TIRES

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)

20000616SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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

20000411CrashSEATS

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

20000322FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS

20000109SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

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

20000109SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS

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

20000109SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS

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

19991013UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

19981130VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. WINDSHEILD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK

19980620VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

19980331ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

FUEL INJECTORS FAILED DUE TO FAULTY WIRING.

19970717ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE STALLS UPON COMING TO A STOP.

19970527POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

Compare 1989CHEVROLETCELEBRITY to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1989 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY have?
The 1989 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY has 53 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY?
The most-complained component for the 1989 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS.
Is the 1989 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.