1986 Chevrolet Celebrity Problems
- Complaints
- 33filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 191,500miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity. The part named most often is steering, with 9 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system (7) and seat belts (5). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 191,500 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering9 27%
- Electrical system7 21%
- Seat belts5 15%
- Body and structure4 12%
- Brakes2 6.1%
- Exterior lighting2 6.1%
- Seats2 6.1%
- Engine cooling1 3.0%
- Fuel system1 3.0%
- Suspension1 3.0%
Also reported: Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Steering: “While driving on city street heard a noise, steering came loose. Pulled into a service station, and the lower a frame on the left front which is bolted into the cradle broke. Mount where the a frame bolts in had cracked which caused the a frame to come loose at that point. Since it was not attached steering was not effective.”
NHTSA complaint #865669, filed 2000-07Seat belts: “Repetitive engagement between teeth of retractor locking mechanism and edges of webbing during extension/retraction caused 1/2 inch tear in driver's side seat belt webbing during a collision. The shoulder belt failed, causing driver to be ejected from vehicle. Driver sustained fatal injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #523846, filed 1997-10Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 33,000 and 350,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celebrity FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Celebrity FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Celebrity FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Celebrity FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Celebrity FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Celebrity FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Celebrity Wagon FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Celebrity Wagon FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Celebrity Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Celebrity Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Celebrity Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Celebrity Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 86V131000Sep 19, 1986Exterior lighting › Headlights › SwitchCovers: Chevrolet Celebrity 1986, Cavalier 1986, Pontiac 6000 1986 +30 more
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…
- 86V056000Apr 28, 1986Exterior lighting › Headlights › SwitchCovers: Chevrolet Celebrity 1986, Chevrolet Truck 1985–1986, GMC GMC 1985–1986 +16 more
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…
Recall details for the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Celebrity
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 7 | 201,000 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 39 | — | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 39 | 75,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 44 | 79,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 33 | 191,500 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 15 | — | 2 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 8 | — | 3 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Celebrity model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity have?
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 9 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system with 7.
Has the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity (Celebrity, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 191,500 miles and the middle half falls between 33,000 and 350,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.