1987 Chevrolet SPECTRUM: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 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 8 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 25.0% |
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 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 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. 8 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 | 6 |
| 1996 | 2 |
1995: 6; 1996: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation 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 480870 · 1995-01-31 (January 31, 1995)
TIMING BELT BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484071 · 1995-07-12 (July 12, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485214 · 1995-06-12 (June 12, 1995)
DEFECTIVE CARBURETOR, CAUSING HIGH IDLE PRIOR TO SERVICE RECALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485214 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958948 · 1995-01-20 (January 20, 1995)
ENGINE TIMING BELT BROKE AND ENGINE IMMEDIATELY FAILED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 966821 · 1995-06-13 (June 13, 1995)
IDLE SET FOR 1987 SPECTRUM IS NOT ADJUSTABLE-WILL NOT HOLD. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966821 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968811 · 1995-07-14 (July 14, 1995)
THE REAR SEATBELTS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELTS DO NOT LATCH PROPERLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979648 · 1996-02-23 (February 23, 1996)
THE CLUCTH WOULD NOT LOCK OUT OF GEAR CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A NEAR ACCIDENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979648 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 980426 · 1996-03-08 (March 8, 1996)
SUDDEN ACCELEARTION WHEN FORCE IS NOT APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 980426 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.
88V036000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
Reported: 1988-03-23 (March 23, 1988)
PERFORATION OF THE FUEL TANK OR THE ATTACHED FUEL FEED PIPE DUE TO CORROSION OF THE TANK OR FUEL FEED PIPE MATERIALS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FUELTANK AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. SUCH A FIRE COULDSPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V046000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 1988-03-29 (March 29, 1988)
THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION VALVE MAY PROVIDE INADEQUATE AIR FLOW UNDER LOW ENGINE LOAD CONDITIONS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW WATER/OIL MIXTURE TO BUILD UPIN THE HOSE FROM THE OIL SEPARATOR TO THE AIR INLET DUCT. AFTER THE ENGINE ISSTOPPED, THIS WATER/OIL MIXTURE CAN, UNDER COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, FREEZE ANDCOMPLETELY BLOCK THE OIL SEPARATOR AIR DUCT HOSE. THIS BLOCKAGE WILL RESULT ININCREASED PRESSURE WITHIN THE CRANKCASE. THIS CAN CAUSE OIL LEAKS, IF ASUFFICIENT QUANTITY OF OIL CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE COULD RESULT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: THE PCV VALVE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW VALVE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗