1988 Chevrolet CELEBRITY: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 28 complaints (10.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 17.9% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.6% |
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 | 3 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 3 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 3; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 2; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 27 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 | 16 |
| 1996 | 10 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
1995: 16; 1996: 10; 2001: 1; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 10005627 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
1988 CHEVEROLET CELEBRITY. MANUFACRURER DOES NOT STOCK OR SELL REPLACEMENT SEAT BELTS OR PARTS. THE PART IS A PLASTIC CLIP THAT GOES OVER THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. PROBABLY A $1.00 PART. BUT THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THAT THEY CANNOT PROVIDE THE CLIP OR THE BELT. AM I SUPPOSED TO THROW AWAY A CAR THAT IS OTHERWISE PERFECT?? IS NOT THE MANUFACURER REQUIRED TO PROVIDE AVAILABILITY OF REPLACEMENT SAFETY PARTS? THERE ARE MILLIONS OF THESE GM CARS STILL ON THE ROAD.
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480563 · 1995-11-17 (November 17, 1995)
RACK AND PINION FAILED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480563 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482826 · 1995-03-28 (March 28, 1995)
REAR BRAKES LOCK UP ON WET ROADS. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501747 · 1996-02-16 (February 16, 1996)
LUG WRENCH STRIPPED/BROKE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501747 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503965 · 1996-03-11 (March 11, 1996)
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BROKE 2 TIMES. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503965 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504777 · 1996-05-22 (May 22, 1996)
SPEEDOMETER GIVES INACCURATE READINGS. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504777 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504996 · 1996-05-29 (May 29, 1996)
BRAKE DISCS WARP, CAUSING BRAKES TO SURGE. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504996 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 748036 · 2001-07-07 (July 7, 2001)
TREADS WERE SEPARATING FROM BODY OF ALL FOUR TIRES, WHILE MUCH OF TREAD REMAINED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: Y7J9PL3146 TIRESIZE: P195/70R14)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 748036 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.
88V048000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
Reported: 1988-04-01 (April 1, 1988)
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET COULD DEVELOP METAL CRACKS.
Consequence: THESE CRACKS MAY RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE LOWERCONTROL ARM. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT INLOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSPECT ALL VEHICLES AND REPLACE ENGINE CRADLE ASSEMBLY ON ALL SUSPECT VEHICLES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V164000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1988-10-18 (October 18, 1988)
FUEL FEED HOSE COULD LEAK AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT INAN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗