1986 Chevrolet Chevette Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1986 Chevrolet Chevette, and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 1986 Chevrolet Chevette
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
Column shift (power train)
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.
Remedy: A newly designed transmission shift lever will be installed on all vehicles.
-
Switch (exterior lighting)
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…
Remedy: Replace headlight switch as necessary.
-
Switch (exterior lighting)
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…
Remedy: Replace headlight switch as necessary.
3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1986 Chevrolet Chevette have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 1997 with 2 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Fuel pump failure, causing intermittent stalling; also replaced carburetor/transmission/engine. *ak”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 13, 1997 · Fuel system, gasoline
“Vehicle often loses power and unable to go above 20 MPH, unless going downhill. Happens primarily when cruising on highway when suddenly vehicle slows down and there is little response from the accele”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 24, 1997 · Vehicle speed control
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1986 Chevrolet Chevette (Chevette CS). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 24–36 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 22–33 / 28–41 |
| Fuel | Diesel, Regular |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.6/1.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd; Manual 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Chevrolet Chevette model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Chevette model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 Chevrolet Chevette | 4 | 0 |
| 1977 Chevrolet Chevette | 1 | 0 |
| 1980 Chevrolet Chevette | 3 | 1 |
| 1981 Chevrolet Chevette | 3 | 5 |
| 1982 Chevrolet Chevette | 2 | 3 |
| 1983 Chevrolet Chevette | 1 | 1 |
| 1984 Chevrolet Chevette | 2 | 0 |
| 1985 Chevrolet Chevette | 1 | 1 |
| 1986 Chevrolet Chevette | 3 | 3 |
Checking a specific 1986 Chevrolet Chevette
How do I know if my 1986 Chevrolet Chevette has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1986 Chevrolet Chevette; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 86V056000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chevrolet models
- Malibu19,364 complaints
- Silverado 150018,029 complaints
- Impala10,434 complaints
- Tahoe10,032 complaints
- Equinox9,161 complaints
- Silverado8,799 complaints
- Blazer8,192 complaints
- Suburban8,164 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.