1988 Chevrolet Celebrity Problems
- Complaints
- 39filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles, 1 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
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity. The part named most often is steering, with 11 complaints (28% of the total), followed by electrical system (8) and engine cooling (8). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
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.
- Steering11 28%
- Electrical system8 21%
- Engine cooling8 21%
- Seat belts6 15%
- Brakes4 10%
- Exterior lighting2 5.1%
- Tires2 5.1%
- Equipment1 2.6%
- Fuel system1 2.6%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Steering: “Had started to pull out of driveway when steering wheel would not turn either right or left. Had noticed puddle of power steering fluid in garage. Took to mechanic & informed either the pump, rack & pinion or steering pump hoses had blown.”
NHTSA complaint #819932, filed 1997-11Electrical system: “Wife driving home, had stopped at light, started to pull away, noticed smoke coming from dashboard area & under hood, pulled vehicle off road. Had towed to dealership where it is now.”
NHTSA complaint #807984, filed 1997-01Engine cooling: “Engine cradle mounting bolt and attaching hardware rusted through and sheered at body frame. Attaching locking nut and remainder of mounting bolt still inside body frame. Engine shifts and front control arm shift during operation. Loss of second right side mounting support structure could result in loss of steering and crash. Gm referred me to local dealer, who informed me that the repair was not covered under any recall and would have to be repaired by the owner, which would indetail cutting open the frame and replacing locking nut and associated hardware and rewelding frame. …”
NHTSA complaint #711340, filed 1999-09Seat belts: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10005627, filed 2003-02, 75,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 75,000 and 75,000 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 1988 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 | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Celebrity FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Celebrity FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Celebrity FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Celebrity Wagon FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Celebrity Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Celebrity Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
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
- 88V164000Oct 18, 1988Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Chevrolet Celebrity 1988, Pontiac 6000 1988, Buick Century 1988 +1 more
Fuel feed hose could leak at the coupling on the engine end of the hose assembly.
- 88V048000Apr 1, 1988Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower armCovers: Chevrolet Celebrity 1988, Pontiac 6000 1988, Buick Century 1988
Front suspension lower control arm bracket could develop metal cracks.
Recall details for the 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 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 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity have?
NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 11 complaints (28% of the total), followed by electrical system with 8.
Has the 1988 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 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity (Celebrity, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,000 miles and the middle half falls between 75,000 and 75,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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.