1986 Chevrolet CELEBRITY: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
191,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 7 | 33.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 9.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 2 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 2; Steering: 2; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 2; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 19 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 | 14 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1995: 14; 1996: 2; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10233994 · 2008-07-11 (July 11, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 CHEVEROLET CELEBRITY STATION WAGON. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR DOUGLAS TIRES, SIZE 195/75R14. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A TIRE STORE FOR A ROUTINE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT TIRES. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, WHEN PURCHASING TIRES FROM WAL-MART, THE TIRES DID NOT FIT CORRECTLY DUE TO IMPROPER LUBRICATION AND MOUNTING. AS A RESULT, THE TIRES MADE A THUMPING SOUND WHEN DRIVING. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 350,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 350,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10233994 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10254355 · 2009-01-09 (January 9, 2009)
I WENT TO AUTO RECALLS .ORG AND FOUND RECALL ON MY 1986 CHEVY CELEBRITY 33,000 MILES. CONTACTED DEALER KOOL CHEVROLET 3770 PLAINFIELD NE GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN 49505 [phone removed] THEY SAID THEY COULD ONLY TRACE VIN NUMBERS BACK TO 1990.WAS REFERRED TO GM [phone removed] (SERVICE REQUEST 71-693324446) I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL AND I SHOULD TAKE IT IN AND PAY TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE SAME THING. I AM THE SECOND OWNER HAVING PURCHASED IT IN THE LAST YEAR. MIKE RUSSELL *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10254355 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481247 · 1995-02-15 (February 15, 1995)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482476 · 1995-03-24 (March 24, 1995)
EXCESSIVE EFFORT NEEDED TO TURN STEERING WHEEL AFTER COLD START. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485350 · 1995-06-20 (June 20, 1995)
POWER STEERING FAILED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503091 · 1996-04-02 (April 2, 1996)
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK RECLINES ON ITS OWN. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503091 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 724859 · 2000-07-03 (July 3, 2000)
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 724859 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 741699 · 2001-02-28 (February 28, 2001)
RECLINING BUCKET SEAT RECLINED ON ITS OWN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 741699 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.
86V056000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 1986-04-28 (April 28, 1986)
THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NOTE: ALSO, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 86V131000.
Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗86V131000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 1986-09-19 (September 19, 1986)
THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗