Chevrolet CELEBRITY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
134 owner complaints analyzed
15 distinct recall campaigns
79,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1982 to 1992 model years. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Rack And Pinion is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 134 complaints (6.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 27 | 20.1% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 10.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 5.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 9 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 7 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 7 |
| Tires | 7 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
Steering:Rack And Pinion: 9; Electrical System:Ignition: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 7; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 7; Tires: 7; Structure:Frame And Members: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 129 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 78 |
| 1996 | 23 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1995: 78; 1996: 23; 2000: 9; 2001: 13; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Steering:Rack And Pinion leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 488200 · 1995-09-26 (September 26, 1995)
STEERING GEAR RACK FAILURE,CAUSING STEERING DIFFICULTY. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 490592 · 1995-12-19 (December 19, 1995)
SUB-FRAME SEPARATED FROM BODY DUE TO RUSTY WASHERS HOLDING BOLTS IN PLACE, CAUSING STEERING LINKAGE TO SEPARATE/LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 490592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489543 · 1995-04-24 (April 24, 1995)
BRAKE SHOES REPLACED. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967328 · 1995-06-20 (June 20, 1995)
DURING BRAKE APPLICATION STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967328 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 753358 · 2001-10-18 (October 18, 2001)
VEHICLE WAS SERVICE'D BY MR. ROBERT'S AUTO/TRUCK STORE WHEN THE FUEL PUMP AND ELECTRICAL LINE'S WERE TO BE SERVICE'D THEN AFTER THESE ITEMS WERE SERVICED THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO EXPLODE. WHEN BUSINESS WAS SPOKEN TO THE ONLY WORD'S OUT OF THERE MOUTH WAS WERE MY PAYMENT'S ON TIME. I HUNG UP. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNE'D MY ISSUE WAS WITH MY FAMILY BEING INJURED. WITHOUT BANKRUPTCY WERE ELSE DO I STAND. THIS RIP-OFF WANT'S 2800.00 AFTER HE HAD GOTTEN 2500.00 FOR THE TOTAL ON THIS CAR. ? IS SHOULD I BE LIABLE AFTER CAR IS PAID IN VALUE & SHOULD I P…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 753358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10432380 · 2011-10-21 (October 21, 2011)
PURCHASED A USE 1985 CHEV. CELEBRITY CLASSIC 10-16-2007 THAT ONLY HAD 46,722 MILES. IT HAD A STRONG GAS SMELL THAT WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS. I DROVE THE CAR SHORT DISTANCE AND EVEN NOW ONLY HAVE 74, 912 MILES ON IT. I FEEL THE CAR CAME FROM THE FACTORY LIKE THIS BECAUSE AN OLD MAN THAT DIED HAD THE CAR. IT LOOKED LIKE NEW WHEN I PURCHASED IT. EVEN NOW IT DRIVE LIKE A NEW CAR. THE GAS IS LEAKING FROM SOME WHERE SO THE SMELL, LEAK AND COST OF GAS MAKE IT WHERE I CAN'T AFFORD TO DRIVE IT. RIGHT NO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10432380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959841 · 1995-02-09 (February 9, 1995)
CAR STALLS WITH GAS IN THE VEHICLE, AND WHEN ON A HILL FACING DOWN, CAR WILL NOT START. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963229 · 1995-04-06 (April 6, 1995)
IGNITION COIL/DISTRIBUTOR MODULE FAILED, CAUSING STARTING PROBLEMS/STALLING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478107 · 1995-02-01 (February 1, 1995)
TRANSMISSION LEAKS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 875880 · 2000-12-01 (December 1, 2000)
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. CONSUMER WILL FILL OUT MORE INFORMATION IF NEEDED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 875880 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 3 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 0 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
1982: 2; 1983: 2; 1984: 3; 1985: 2; 1986: 2; 1987: 0; 1988: 2; 1989: 1; 1990: 2; 1991: 0; 1992: 0