1987 Chevrolet NOVA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
209,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission 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 | 3 | 27.3% |
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 | 2 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 1; Seat Belts:Front: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 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). 10 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 | 3 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 1; 2000: 2; 2001: 3; 2005: 1; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10142343 · 2005-11-09 (November 9, 2005)
{1}NORTH BOUND FREEWAY WORK RIGHT LANE FROM, LINDON EXIT TO SALT LAKE CITY. THERE ARE SEVERAL GROOVES, HOLES AND UNEVEN LANES. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES THIS YEAR, MY RIGHT FRONT AXLE IS BAD AS WELL AS THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS I NEED NEW TIRES AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE FREEWAY PROBLEMS. WILL YOU HELP? *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 209,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10142343 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150817 · 2006-02-06 (February 6, 2006)
1987 CHEVROLET NOVA DOES NOT SECURE PASSENGER PROPERLY. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT CATCH AND STOP WHEN HE GRABS THEM ABRUPTLY AS HE WOULD EXPECT IN AN ACCIDENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10150817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 559798 · 2001-02-21 (February 21, 2001)
THE TRANSAXLE FLUID WAS 1.5 QUARTS LOW (EMPTY) CAUSING THE TRANSAXLE TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 559798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 728628 · 2000-08-21 (August 21, 2000)
THE NHTSA HAS REPORTED TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE 1987 & 1988 CHEVROLET SPECTRUM. THESE PROBLEMS APPLY TO THE 1987 NOVA.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 728628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 785284 · 2001-02-17 (February 17, 2001)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 785284 at NHTSA ↗
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 880688 · 2001-02-15 (February 15, 2001)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FRONT WHEEL LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING AT 50-55 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIRS SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT LOCK UP WAS DUE TO LACK OF FRONT AXLE LUBRICATION. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 880688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960173 · 1995-02-17 (February 17, 1995)
FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960173 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.