1990 Chevrolet Celebrity recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, 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 1990 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.
2. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
What could happen: THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND GENERATING SUFFICIENT HEAT TO BURN THE WIRE INSULATION ANDIGNITE THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
The fix: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
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 1990 CELEBRITY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 92V124000.
- 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: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Summary: THE POWER SEAT OR RECLINER WIRING HARNESS CAN BE PINCHED OR CAN CHAFE ON THE SEAT FRAME OR SPRING SUPPORT ROD, WEARING THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence: THE HIGH CURRENT CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WELDS THECIRCUIT BREAKER ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN THE CLOSED POSITION, LEAVING THE CIRCUITUNPROTECTED AND GENERATING SUFFICIENT HEAT TO BURN THE WIRE INSULATION ANDIGNITE THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
Remedy: REPAIR ANY ABRADED WIRING AND REROUTE THE WIRING HARNESS USING A WIRING HARNESS CLIP.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR: SEATING.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH 6 WAY POWER SEATS OR POWER RECLINERS.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (2), Latches / locks (2), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Electrical system (1), Hydraulic (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/20/2009 · Transmission / drivetrain · crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE WHICH GEAR HE WAS DRIVING IN AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SHIFT INDICATOR WAS UNCLEAR AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIR…
10/14/2004 · Brakes
THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS MASTER CYLINDER. *JB
05/11/2004 · Wheels / tires
NO FAILURE, YET. HAVE TWO B F GOODRICH TIRES DOT BFJ7TT61 P185/75R14 89 S M+S NOTE INDENTATIONS, ON SIDE WALL ABOUT 1/16 INCH DEEP BY .75 TO 1 INCH WIDE RUNNING FROM RIM TO TREAD. IS THIS A PROBLEM? COULD FIND NO INFORMATION ON B F GOODREICH WEB SITE OR IT IS BURIED WELL.
06/12/2000 · Lights
TURN SIGNAL BAR FAILED. NLM
04/13/1999 · Brakes
WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON, VEHICLE WOULD ROLL. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES SLIDE BAR WOULD RELEASE & MISSING. HAD THE REGULAR BRAKES REINSPECTED & REPAIRED. *AK
02/16/1996 · Latches / locks
HOOD LATCH HAS FAILED, UNABLE TO OPEN OR CLOSE HOOD. TT
02/16/1996 · Latches / locks
HOOD LATCH HAS FAILED, UNABLE TO OPEN OR CLOSE HOOD. TT
11/13/1995 · Steering
POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION SEAL FAILED, CAUSING ALL THE POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK OUT TWICE/BINDING. *SD