1989 Chevrolet Celebrity recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
What could happen: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN A COLLISON, STRESS CAN CAUSE THE ATTACHMENT METAL TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHORAGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ANCHOR BOLTS WITH A NEW SHOULDER BOLT AND THREAD LOCKING ADHESIVE. ADDITIONALLY, NOISE CONTROL PATCHES WILL BE APPLIED AT EACH ANCHORAGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 CELEBRITY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V173000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Summary: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES THAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN A COLLISON, STRESS CAN CAUSE THE ATTACHMENT METAL TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHORAGE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT PROTECT AN OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ANCHOR BOLTS WITH A NEW SHOULDER BOLT AND THREAD LOCKING ADHESIVE. ADDITIONALLY, NOISE CONTROL PATCHES WILL BE APPLIED AT EACH ANCHORAGE.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR; ACTIVE RESTRAINTS; BELT ANCHOR AND ATTACHMENT; FMVSS NO.210. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020; PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1989 Chevrolet Celebrity owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (8), Hydraulic (8), Engine (6), Electrical system (6), Wheels / tires (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/18/2008 · Wheels / tires · crash
1989 CHEVY CELEBRITY SUFFERED A TIRE BLOWOUT. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND SPUN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY THEN STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT. *NJ THE CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 19-0473-91 UPDATED 04/15/10 *BF
03/31/2003 · Engine
THE ROOF RACK HAD SEPARATED WITH TWO BIKES ATTACHED TO IT WHILE IN MOTION, AND HAD FLOWN OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE THIN FABRICATION OF THE HEATER CORE TUBING ALLOWED LEAKAGE INTO THE VEHICLE WHICH CAN CAUSE PROLONGED INHALATION OF TOXIC FUMES, AND THE SENSOR THAT HITS ON THE CAMSHAFT HAS A SMALL MAGNET AFFIXED TO IT WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE PARTIALLY MISSING.…
07/10/2001 · Seat belts
DRIVER'S SIDE BUCKLE WOULD NOT LATCH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND WERE UNABLE TO FIND A REPLACEMENT PART. ASKING NHTSA TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
03/12/2001 · Wheels / tires
PE00 048 CONSUMER BOUGHT TWO MICHELIN TIRES FROM SEARS, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE TIRES WERE DRY ROTTEN, AND MANAGER AT SEARS TOLD HER THAT TIRES WERE NOT ON WARRANTY FOR ROTTEN TIRES. *AK
02/11/2001 · Wheels / tires
THIS TIRE FAILED 3 TIMES, EACH TIME DUE TO STUD PENETRATION. WE PURCHASED THESE TIRES FROM LES SCHWAB IN NOVEMBER OF 2000. THE THREE STUD PENETRATIONS OCCURED ON 2-1-01, 2-7-01 AND 2-8-01. EACH TIME WE TOOK THE TIRE BACK TO LES SCHWAB, THEY PATCHED THE AREA WHERE THE STUD(S) HAD PENETRATED FREE OF CHARGE AS STATED IN THEIR SERVICE WARRANTY AGREEMENT. ON THE…
10/04/2000 · Wheels / tires
PURCHASE DATE 3/16/2000 FELT BUMP AND I STOP CAR .TIRE WAS COMPLETELY RIPED APART (THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS LINE ALSO) (DOT NUMBER: U9KA TIRESIZE: P195/75R14)
06/16/2000 · Seat belts
SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD NOT UNLATCH, AND WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, OWNER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT. *AK *ML
04/11/2000 · Seats · crash
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40-45MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, ALL OF A SUDDEN WAS HIT FROM THE REAR. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED, AND HINGE BROKE ON THE INSIDE, THROWING CONSUMER TO HIS BACK AT AN ANGLE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK