Steering assistance concerns
7 mentions · 15.9% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
Matching rule
\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\bU.S. public vehicle records
1987 Chevrolet CELEBRITY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
44 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
79,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 44 complaints (11.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 12 | 27.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 6.8% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 6.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 5 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 5; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 4; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 43 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 23 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 6 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2007 | 1 |
1995: 23; 1996: 4; 1997: 2; 1998: 6; 1999: 3; 2001: 5; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 480147 · 1995-02-06 (February 6, 1995)
RACK AND PINION REPLACED DUE TO STIFF STEERING. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481862 · 1995-02-23 (February 23, 1995)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481862 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 523243 · 1998-01-22 (January 22, 1998)
INTERMITTENT STALLING; ALSO COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 523243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 878246 · 2001-01-16 (January 16, 2001)
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. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 878246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10185500 · 2007-03-19 (March 19, 2007)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY. ON 01/24/2007, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. 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. THE CONTACT LATER OBSERVED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PADS AND THAT HIS CALIPERS WERE RUBBING TOGETHER AND REPLACED THE BRAKES, ROTOR, DISK AND CALIPERS. ON APPROXIMATELY MARCH 12, 2007 THE DUPLICATE FAILURE REOCCURRED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS D…
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10185500 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481338 · 1995-01-28 (January 28, 1995)
RIGHT REAR BRAKES LOCK UP ON WET ROADS. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481338 at NHTSA ↗
Explore the data
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
44 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
2.3%Usable mileage1 / 44 records
77.3%Valid incident date34 / 44 records
100.0%Valid filing date44 / 44 records
77.3%Ordered incident and filing dates34 / 44 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.7% | 39.1%ODI 482476EXCESSIVE EFFORT NEEDED TO TURN STEERING WHEEL AFTER COLD START. *SKD | 36.8% | 615.4% | 12.6% | 114.3%ODI 487802POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION SEAL FAILED, CAUSING ALL THE POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK OUT TWICE/BINDING. *SD | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 320.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 511.4%ODI 785750CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE RUNS BAD, ALSO SAID VEHICLE MAKES A LOT OF NOISE, POSSIBLE ENGINE NOISE. *SLC | 25.1%ODI 516953WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THE ENGINE STOPED, WHEN STARTED AGAIN THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. | 37.7% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 320.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 36.8%ODI 848569WHILE 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. *AK | 37.7%ODI 960521MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE WORE OUT, CAUSING A JERKY MOTION WHEN CAR SLOWS DOWN. TT | 12.6% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.7% | 13.0% | 36.8% | 25.1%ODI 962515COMPUTER FAILURE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL/ACCELERATE. THIS IS THE SECOND COND COMPUTER. *AK | 25.1% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 967328DURING BRAKE APPLICATION STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS. TT | 213.3%ODI 10055880EMAIL CONSUMER LETTER REGARDING GM POWER STEERING RECALL.*MR 1985 EUROSPORT WAGON DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHERE POWER STEERING WAS LOST WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS.*MR | 39.1% | 24.5% | 12.6%ODI 807253POWER STEERING FAILURE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 713787STEERING STICKS, POWER ASSIST IS REDUCED TO MANUAL MODE AFTER MOMENTARY JAMMING. ALMOST LEAVES THE ROAD BEFOR RECOVERY. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 26.1% | 511.4% | 12.6%ODI 960426STEERING IS DIFFICULT WHEN IT IS COLD. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 412.1%ODI 959841CAR STALLS WITH GAS IN THE VEHICLE, AND WHEN ON A HILL FACING DOWN, CAR WILL NOT START. TT | 12.3%ODI 958885VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY AND MAKING SHARP TURNS. TT | 25.1%ODI 958288WIRING HARNESS TO THE IGNITION WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, CAUSING CRANKSHAFT/IGNITION MODULE TO FAIL. *AK | 12.6%ODI 962432WHILE DRIVING, ON HWY AT APPROX. 55-60MPH, THEN UPON APPLICATION OF BRAKE, ENGINE STALLS WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 490592SUB-FRAME SEPARATED FROM BODY DUE TO RUSTY WASHERS HOLDING BOLTS IN PLACE, CAUSING STEERING LINKAGE TO SEPARATE/LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *DSH | 16.7%ODI 527369LOCATION OF CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED ACCIDENTAL ENGAGEMENT OF R/A SWITCH ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT. | 26.1%ODI 825349FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT DUE TO THE LACK OF UNDERCOATING UNDER VEHICLE. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK | 24.5%ODI 482230UNDER BODY FRAME MAKES LOUD NOISE UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT WHEN DRIVER SITS DOWN. *SKD | 12.6% | 12.6% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1991: 0 complaints · 1992: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | Electrical System:Ignition:Module | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Steering:Rack And Pinion | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | — | 1ODI 818637ENGINE: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT , PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, GOT OUT TO LOOK AND THE ENGINE HAD DROPPED ABOUT 2INCHES. THE CRADLE MOUNT BOLT THAT HOLDS ENGINE HAD RUSTED . *AK | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 819883DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL OFF. 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 | 1ODI 785750CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE RUNS BAD, ALSO SAID VEHICLE MAKES A LOT OF NOISE, POSSIBLE ENGINE NOISE. *SLC | 0 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 1ODI 818637ENGINE: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT , PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, GOT OUT TO LOOK AND THE ENGINE HAD DROPPED ABOUT 2INCHES. THE CRADLE MOUNT BOLT THAT HOLDS ENGINE HAD RUSTED . *AK | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 848569WHILE 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. *AK |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 1ODI 819883DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL OFF. 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1ODI 785750CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE RUNS BAD, ALSO SAID VEHICLE MAKES A LOT OF NOISE, POSSIBLE ENGINE NOISE. *SLC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1ODI 549420THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING DUE TO EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING OF ALUMINUM ENGINE. YH |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 848569WHILE 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. *AK | 0 | 1ODI 549420THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING DUE TO EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING OF ALUMINUM ENGINE. YH | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
3 patterns with matching reports.
Stalling or loss of power
3 mentions · 6.8% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ODI 878246
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. *AK
ODI 958885
VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY AND MAKING SHARP TURNS. TT
Matching rule
\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\bWarning lights and dashboard alerts
1 mentions · 2.3% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
Matching rule
\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b