AI Damage1987 Chevrolet Celebrity: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Chevrolet Celebrity filed 44 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 44
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 27% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 3 Latches, locks, linkages 11% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 9% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 9% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 9% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- Steering: 12 complaints (27% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 9 complaints (20% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 5 complaints (11% of all).
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (9% of all).
- Fuel system: 4 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 44 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact began hearing a grinding and squeaking noise when applying the brakes on 02/15/2007 and was unable to stop the vehicle without using the emergency brake.
While driving, tire experienced tread separation, consumer states manufacturer should place date in a place where consumers would be able to read it, (bridgestone 205/70r14), tire had 25000 miles on it and consumer states that it was 8 years old.
Motor mounts were rusted, and engine fell out of mounting. Dealership is unaware of problem.
Ongoing problem with engine stalling at low speed/iow idle. Vehicle been in/out of dealer shop on five occasions, and problem still reoccurring. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
While driving vehicle began to smoke from under the hood. Pulled vehicle over. Engine was leaking oil due to a cracked intake manifold. Has taken vehicle to dealer & was informed by mechanic the lifters were making noise.
Driver's seatbelt is stuck in one postion where driver cannot extend the seatbelt which makes the seatbelt inoperable. Dealer does not manufacture the seatbelt part.
Suspension which is attached to body mount and which is made from sheet metal is rusting away, causing suspension to drop steering knuckle. Also became inoperative. Dealership and manufactuer have been notified.
Due to the defect, consumer lost all power steering, was not able to steer .the rear points of the engine cradle rusted out which caused the whole engine assembly to fall out, including the steering mechanism. Dealer will replace mounting brackets, rack pinion steering assembly, etc. Ak
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,689 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Celebrity has 16 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 44, above average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Latches, locks, linkages. Door, hood and tailgate latches, especially near the impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Chevrolet Celebrity?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, engine and cooling, latches, locks, linkages. Total complaints: 44. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (16%), rust, corrosion (14%), seat belts (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Chevrolet Celebrity?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Chevrolet Celebrity from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.