1988 Chevrolet Nova Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 26 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Chevrolet Nova (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Nova. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by seat belts (3) and electrical system (2). Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, 2 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Seat belts3 27%
- Electrical system2 18%
- Seats1 9.1%
- Tires1 9.1%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Front wheels locked up and the car stopped suddenly. Resulting in a rearend collision. After the accident the motor would crank and run but the vehicle would not move in any gear. Replace the transaxle.”
NHTSA complaint #9005280, filed 2002-03Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Chevrolet Nova 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Nova FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 29 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Nova FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 27 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Nova FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1988 Chevrolet Nova in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Chevrolet Nova.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Nova
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 11 | — | 0 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 15 | 209,000 | 0 | — | 28 | — | Stable |
All Chevrolet Nova model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Chevrolet Nova have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Nova as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Chevrolet Nova is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by seat belts with 3.
Has the 1988 Chevrolet Nova been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Chevrolet Nova get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Chevrolet Nova (Nova, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.