1985 Chevrolet CELEBRITY: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 11 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 18.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 9.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 1; Power Train:Driveline: 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 | 0 |
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: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 11 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 | 4 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 2; 2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2004: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10055880 · 2004-02-04 (February 4, 2004)
EMAIL CONSUMER LETTER REGARDING GM POWER STEERING RECALL.*MR 1985 EUROSPORT WAGON DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHERE POWER STEERING WAS LOST WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS.*MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10055880 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 478107 · 1995-02-01 (February 1, 1995)
TRANSMISSION LEAKS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500231 · 1995-12-06 (December 6, 1995)
COOLANT ESCAPING FROM ENGINE DUE TO BROKEN HEAD BOLT. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506839 · 1996-07-30 (July 30, 1996)
MUFFLER FELL OFF WHILE TRAVELING. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 741232 · 2001-02-20 (February 20, 2001)
WELL MAINTAINED/RUSTPROOFED AT PURCHASE /REAR AXAL LET LOOSE WHILE TURN IN DRIVEWAY OF HOME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 741232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 785723 · 2001-10-09 (October 9, 2001)
REPLACED FUSE FOR REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER AND SMELLED BURNING. THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT COVERS THE CONTACT TO THE WINDOW WAS BEGINING TO MELT. THE OEM SPACER WAS A PIECE OF FOAM THAT HAD LONG SINCE CRUMBED TO NOTHING. YD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 785723 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 ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
84V132000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Springs
Reported: 1984-10-16 (October 16, 1984)
THE THROTTLE LINKAGE MAY BIND BECAUSE DURING NORMAL OPERATION, THE THROTTLE BODY CASE MAY INTERFERE WITH THE LINKAGE. THIS INTERFERENCE COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM CLOSING EVEN THOUGH THE DRIVER HAS REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLES AND IMPROVE THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE AND THROTTLE BODY CASING IF NEEDED, AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗85V135000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1985-10-23 (October 23, 1985)
CLUTCH CABLE IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED CAUSING THE CABLE TO CONTACT THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE PIPE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THIS MAY CAUSE WEAR THROUGH, BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: SECURE CLUTCH CABLE TO PRECLUDE CONTACT WITH MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE PIPE. ALSO, REPLACE BRAKE PIPE IF IT SHOWS ANY SIGN OF WEAR.
NHTSA campaign record ↗