Chevrolet SpectrumModel year report

1988 Chevrolet Spectrum Problems

Complaints: 5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: —no mileage reported
Recalls: 2campaigns 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: 28 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum. The part named most often is brakes, with 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by engine cooling (1) and body and structure (1). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.

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.

Example complaints

Suspension: “When driving at any speed vehicle was pulling to the right because of front end misalignment. Also, the tires wore out due to the tires rubbing on metal part of the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #831542, filed 1998-12

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum 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
Spectrum FWD	1.5L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	31	37	33	$2,050
Spectrum FWD	1.5L 4-cyl	3-speed automatic	26	30	28	$2,400
Spectrum Turbo FWD	1.5L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	24	33	27	$2,500

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

88V046000Mar 29, 1988
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Covers: Chevrolet Spectrum 1987–1988
The positive crankcase ventilation valve may provide inadequate air flow under low engine load conditions.
88V036000Mar 23, 1988
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Covers: Chevrolet Spectrum 1987–1988
Perforation of the fuel tank or the attached fuel feed pipe due to corrosion of the tank or fuel feed pipe materials.

Recall details for the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum.

Other model years of the Chevrolet Spectrum

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
1988	5	—	2	—	28	—	Not enough data
1987	9	—	2	—	28	—	Not enough data

All Chevrolet Spectrum model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 1.

Has the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum 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 Spectrum get?

The EPA rates the 1988 Chevrolet Spectrum (Spectrum, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 26 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400 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 29, 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.