Chevrolet NOVA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
16 distinct recall campaigns
209,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1965 to 1988 model years. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 21 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 14.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 2 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 2; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 2; Tires: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Power Train: 1
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 20 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 | 8 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 8; 1996: 3; 2000: 3; 2001: 4; 2002: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 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 872427 · 2000-10-06 (October 6, 2000)
WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN SPEEDOMETER CABLE SNAPPED. 10 MILES LATER, ENTIRE FRONT END LOCKED UP DUE A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. *AK THE MECHANIC DETERMIND THAT THE TRANS CASE, ALL GEARS AND RIGHT AND LEFT C.V. SHAFTS WERE BROKEN AS THE RESULT OF FRONT END LOCK UP. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 872427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 966627 · 1995-06-12 (June 12, 1995)
DIFFERENTIAL BROKE WHICH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK, CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAILED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729106 · 2000-08-25 (August 25, 2000)
RAYBESTO FRONT BRAKE PADS FAILED AFTER ONLY 8000 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502837 · 1996-03-26 (March 26, 1996)
FUEL TANK REPLACED 2 TIMES DUE TO GASOLINE LEAKING FROM SEAM. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502837 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 |
|---|---|
| 1972 | 1 |
| 1973 | 4 |
| 1974 | 3 |
| 1975 | 3 |
| 1977 | 3 |
| 1978 | 1 |
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 0 |
| 1988 | 0 |
1972: 1; 1973: 4; 1974: 3; 1975: 3; 1977: 3; 1978: 1; 1984: 0; 1986: 0; 1987: 0; 1988: 0