Model year guide

1986 Chevrolet Celebrity

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1986 Chevrolet Celebrity at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints41
Combined19–24 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1986 Chevrolet Celebrity recalls 3

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #06E043000 · 19/05/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE C…

Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch NHTSA Campaign #86V131000 · 19/09/1986

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.

Fix: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch NHTSA Campaign #86V056000 · 28/04/1986

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.

Fix: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 17 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1986 Chevrolet Celebrity common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1986 Chevrolet Celebrity MPG & running costs

Combined19–24 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,250
EPA size classMidsize Cars
Transmission3 options
Passenger volume98 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,250 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 6 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,250
Fuel only$16,250
Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1986 Chevrolet Celebrity vehicles on record

1986 Chevrolet Celebrity — frequently asked questions

Does the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity?

Across all 41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, electrical system, seat belts.

What gas mileage does the 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity get?

The 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (6 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.