1987 Chevrolet NOVA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
209,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 15 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 33.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 1; Seat Belts:Front: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1
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 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 14 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 | 3 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 2; 1998: 2; 1999: 1; 2000: 2; 2001: 3; 2005: 1; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10142343 · 2005-11-09 (November 9, 2005)
{1}NORTH BOUND FREEWAY WORK RIGHT LANE FROM, LINDON EXIT TO SALT LAKE CITY. THERE ARE SEVERAL GROOVES, HOLES AND UNEVEN LANES. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES THIS YEAR, MY RIGHT FRONT AXLE IS BAD AS WELL AS THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS I NEED NEW TIRES AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE FREEWAY PROBLEMS. WILL YOU HELP? *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 209,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10142343 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150817 · 2006-02-06 (February 6, 2006)
1987 CHEVROLET NOVA DOES NOT SECURE PASSENGER PROPERLY. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT CATCH AND STOP WHEN HE GRABS THEM ABRUPTLY AS HE WOULD EXPECT IN AN ACCIDENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10150817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 508563 · 1996-09-11 (September 11, 1996)
SEAT BELTS IN FRONT SEAT FAILED TO HOLD DRIVER/PASSENGER IN PLACE IN REAR END COLLISION, CAUSING INJURIES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508563 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 540289 · 1998-08-23 (August 23, 1998)
OWNER CLAIMS RAYBESTOS BRAND BRAKE HOSES MIDDLE MOUNTING SECTION MANUFACTURED BACKWARDS. HOSE CANNOT BE MOUNTED AS DESIGNED, DANGEROUS BYPASSING OF MIDDLE MOUNT LIKELY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 540289 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 559798 · 2001-02-21 (February 21, 2001)
THE TRANSAXLE FLUID WAS 1.5 QUARTS LOW (EMPTY) CAUSING THE TRANSAXLE TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 559798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 728628 · 2000-08-21 (August 21, 2000)
THE NHTSA HAS REPORTED TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE 1987 & 1988 CHEVROLET SPECTRUM. THESE PROBLEMS APPLY TO THE 1987 NOVA.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 728628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 785284 · 2001-02-17 (February 17, 2001)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 785284 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 824311 · 1998-06-15 (June 15, 1998)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MINOR SERVICE OF CHECKING THE OIL LEVEL IN DEFFERENTIAL FOR FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. 80-90 OIL IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE EXTRA RESERVOIR, RESULTING IN LOW OIL LEVEL THAT WILL BURN UP THE TRANMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, AND THE DEALERS HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 824311 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
15 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
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 | 1977 | 1978 | 1984 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1990 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 426.7%ODI 824311CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MINOR SERVICE OF CHECKING THE OIL LEVEL IN DEFFERENTIAL FOR FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. 80-90 OIL IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE EXTRA RESERVOIR, RESULTING IN LOW OIL LEVEL THAT WILL BURN UP THE TRANMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, AND THE DEALERS HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM. | 327.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.7% | 327.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 218.2%ODI 513371TAIL LIGHTS' WIRING HARNESS BURNED OUT/MELTED, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.7% | 19.1%ODI 745547VEHICLE HOOD LATCH FAILED DUE TO TIRE VIBRATION AT 65 MPH, CAUSING HOOD TO CRUMPLE INTO WINDSHIELD. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 213.3%ODI 559798THE TRANSAXLE FLUID WAS 1.5 QUARTS LOW (EMPTY) CAUSING THE TRANSAXLE TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. NLM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Tires | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.7%ODI 10142343 · 209,000 mi{1}NORTH BOUND FREEWAY WORK RIGHT LANE FROM, LINDON EXIT TO SALT LAKE CITY. THERE ARE SEVERAL GROOVES, HOLES AND UNEVEN LANES. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES THIS YEAR, MY RIGHT FRONT AXLE IS BAD AS WELL AS THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS I NEED NEW TIRES AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE FREEWAY PROBLEMS. WILL YOU HELP? *JB | 19.1%ODI 745547VEHICLE HOOD LATCH FAILED DUE TO TIRE VIBRATION AT 65 MPH, CAUSING HOOD TO CRUMPLE INTO WINDSHIELD. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 966416LOUD WHINING NOISE IS HEARD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. PLEASE EXPLAIN. 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. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 1100.0% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 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 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (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.
1988: 1 complaints · 1990: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1990 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 | 1 | 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 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Power Train:Axle Assembly | Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | Power Train | Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | Seat Belts:Front | Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 872427WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN SPEEDOMETER CABLE SNAPPED. 10 MILES LATER, ENTIRE FRONT END LOCKED UP DUE A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. *AK THE MECHANIC DETERMIND THAT THE TRANS CASE, ALL GEARS AND RIGHT AND LEFT C.V. SHAFTS WERE BROKEN AS THE RESULT OF FRONT END LOCK UP. *YH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1ODI 872427WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN SPEEDOMETER CABLE SNAPPED. 10 MILES LATER, ENTIRE FRONT END LOCKED UP DUE A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. *AK THE MECHANIC DETERMIND THAT THE TRANS CASE, ALL GEARS AND RIGHT AND LEFT C.V. SHAFTS WERE BROKEN AS THE RESULT OF FRONT END LOCK UP. *YH | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.