Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Chevrolet CHEVETTE recalls by model year

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

14 owner complaints analyzed

11 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1976 to 1986 model years. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1976
4
1977
1
1980
3
1981
3
1982
2
1983
1
1984
2
1985
1
1986
3
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
19764
19771
19803
19813
19822
19831
19842
19851
19863

1976: 4; 1977: 1; 1980: 3; 1981: 3; 1982: 2; 1983: 1; 1984: 2; 1985: 1; 1986: 3

Year-by-year records

Chevrolet CHEVETTE model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
197604Not available
197701-3
198013Not available
1981530
198232-1
198311-1
198402+1
198511-1
198633+2

Recall history

11 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

75V175000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 1975-09-26 (September 26, 1975) · Model years: 1976

NHTSA campaign record ↗
76V022000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 1976-02-12 (February 12, 1976) · Model years: 1976

NHTSA campaign record ↗
76V197000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap

Reported: 1976-12-06 (December 6, 1976) · Model years: 1976

NHTSA campaign record ↗
78V248000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly

Reported: 1978-11-16 (November 16, 1978) · Model years: 1976, 1977

THE FUEL SYSTEM MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY". IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION FROM THE REAR, EXCESSIVE FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL PLASTIC SHIELDS AROUND THE FRONT CORNERS OF THE FUEL TANK, AND LARGER WASHERS ON CERTAIN REAR SUSPENSION PARTS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE SAFETY STANDARD. THIS WILL BE PERFORMED WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
81V060000 · Seat Belts:Front:Retractor

Reported: 1981-05-19 (May 19, 1981) · Model years: 1980, 1981

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS IN THE REAR SEATING POSITIONS CONTAIN FIRST LOCK POSITIONS WHICH WILL NOT LOCK WHEN USED BY SMALLER PASSENGERS. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION".

Remedy: ALL OWNERS WILL BE SENT A PRE-PAID POSTAGE CARD THAT IS TO BE FILLED OUT AND SENT BACK. THE CARD WILL INDICATE WHETHER THE SEAT BELTS ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IF DEALER INSPECTS SEAT BELTS, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WILL BE REPLACED, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
82V106000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System

Reported: 1982-11-01 (November 1, 1982) · Model years: 1980, 1981, 1982

THE CARBURETOR FUEL INLET HOUSING PLUG IN THE SIDE OF THE CARBURETOR MAY COME OUT.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CARBURETOR INLET PLUG TO PREVENT FUEL LEAKAGE, WITHOUT CHARGE.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
83V027000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System

Reported: 1983-03-04 (March 4, 1983) · Model years: 1980, 1981, 1982

THE CARBURETOR FUEL PLUG MAY COME OUT AND FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE CARBURETOR.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CARBURETOR INLET PLUG TO PREVENT IT FROM DISLODGING, AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
88V050000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift

Reported: 1988-04-04 (April 4, 1988) · Model years: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER BUTTON MECHANISM MAY WEAR TO THE POINT THAT THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFT LEVER NO LONGER NEEDS TO BE DEPRESSED TO SHIFT GEARS.

Consequence: A LEVER WITH THIS CONDITION COULD BE INADVERTENTLY BUMPEDOR MOVED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE BY THE DRIVER OR A PASSENGER WHILE THE VEHICLEIS BEING DRIVEN. A SUDDEN UNEXPECTED SHIFTING COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: A NEWLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
84V011000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner

Reported: 1984-02-06 (February 6, 1984) · Model years: 1984

SOME VEHICLES HAVE BUCKET SEAT BACK LOCKS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 207, ANCHORAGE OF SEATS. IN EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK LOCK MAY NOT FUNCTION.

Remedy: INSPECTION OF SEAT BACK LOCKS WILL BE PERFORMED. LOCKS THAT HAVE BENT, BROKEN OR MISSING HOOKS WILL BE REPLACED.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
86V056000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch

Reported: 1986-04-28 (April 28, 1986) · Model years: 1986

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 CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NOTE: ALSO, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 86V131000.

Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
86V131000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch

Reported: 1986-09-19 (September 19, 1986) · Model years: 1986

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 CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

14 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 14 records
57.1%Valid incident date8 / 14 records
100.0%Valid filing date14 / 14 records
57.1%Ordered incident and filing dates8 / 14 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 complaint heatmap
Component197619771980198119821983198419851986
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 10025026

WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DEASHBOARD.*AK

Look up ODI 10025026 at NHTSA ↗

120.0%
ODI 521617

TIMING BELT FAILED.

Look up ODI 521617 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

240.0%
ODI 509408

SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN PASSENGER IN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY BRAKE FAILURE.

Look up ODI 509408 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 489488

VEHICLE SMOKES AND MELTS WIRES AND HARNESS BOX TO EACH OTHER AGAINST FIREWALL WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED ON. *SKD

Look up ODI 489488 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 482270

WIRING HARNESS THAT LIES AGAINST FIREWALL SMOKES/BURNS/MELTS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE. *AW

Look up ODI 482270 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

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:Gasoline
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

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.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 515271

FUEL PUMP FAILURE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING; ALSO REPLACED CARBURETOR/TRANSMISSION/ENGINE. *AK

Look up ODI 515271 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

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.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 515271

FUEL PUMP FAILURE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING; ALSO REPLACED CARBURETOR/TRANSMISSION/ENGINE. *AK

Look up ODI 515271 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 10143221

CONSUMER WANTS ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE SENSITIVITY OF THE GAS TANK IN THE 1981 CHEVETTE DURING CRASHES. *TS *NM

Look up ODI 10143221 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Interior Lighting
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

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.

1100.0%
ODI 503481

FUSE FOR INSTRUMENT LIGHTS SHORT OUT, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO READ GAUGES AT NIGHT. *DSH

Look up ODI 503481 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

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 failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
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.

1 reports2024-102026-09

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
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

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.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

1985: 0 complaints · 1986: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1985000
1986000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1985010
1986030

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 co-occurrence matrix
ComponentEngine And Engine Cooling:EngineSeat Belts:Front:AnchorageElectrical SystemElectrical System:Wiring:Front UnderhoodEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineFuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpFuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemblyInterior Lighting
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine—0000000
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage0—000000
Electrical System00—00000
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood000—0000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline0000—
1
ODI 515271

FUEL PUMP FAILURE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING; ALSO REPLACED CARBURETOR/TRANSMISSION/ENGINE. *AK

Look up ODI 515271 at NHTSA ↗

00
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump0000
1
ODI 515271

FUEL PUMP FAILURE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING; ALSO REPLACED CARBURETOR/TRANSMISSION/ENGINE. *AK

Look up ODI 515271 at NHTSA ↗

—00
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly000000—0
Interior Lighting0000000—

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.

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 14.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 509408

SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN PASSENGER IN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY BRAKE FAILURE.

Look up ODI 509408 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 508125

BRAKES FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIR.

Look up ODI 508125 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 7.1% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 515271

FUEL PUMP FAILURE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING; ALSO REPLACED CARBURETOR/TRANSMISSION/ENGINE. *AK

Look up ODI 515271 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 7.1% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10025026

WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DEASHBOARD.*AK

Look up ODI 10025026 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b