Chevrolet Nova Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 16 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints across 17 model years of the Chevrolet Nova (1965–1990). The most-complained-about year is 1987.

Pick your Chevrolet Nova model year

• 1965
• 1966
• 1967
• 1968
• 1969
• 1971
• 1972
• 1973
• 1974
• 1975
• 1977
• 1978
• 1984
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1990

What Chevrolet Nova owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. The 1987 model year has the most, with 15.

• Power train: automatic transmission8
• Seat belts: buckle assembly4
• Latches/locks/linkages: latch3
• Power train: axle assembly2
• Electrical system: fuses and circuit breakers2
• Service brakes, hydraulic: drum1
• Engine and engine cooling: gasoline1
• Fuel system, gasoline: tank assembly1

All Chevrolet Nova recalls (16)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Chevrolet Nova, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Suspension: rear

   NHTSA 77V163000 Reported September 27, 1977 31,979 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The rear axle shafts on the involved vehicles may have a flaw in the metal. As a result, the shaft may break, which would allow the tire and wheel assembly to separate from the vehicle.

   Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, install one or both new rear axle shafts, without charge to owner.

   Model years: 1977, 1978

2. Hubcap/cover (wheels)

   NHTSA 77V074000 Reported May 16, 1977 15,246 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The center (spider) section of wheels installed on these vehicles may have been manufactured from an incorrect grade of steel. The center section may fatigue and separate from the wheel rim.

   Remedy: Dealer will inspect and will replace defective wheels with wheels made from the correct grade of steel, without charge to owner.

   Model years: 1977

3. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

   NHTSA 76V132000 Reported September 7, 1976 55,564 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Model years: 1977

4. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

   NHTSA 75V094000 Reported May 21, 1975 3,069 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Model years: 1975

5. Recliner (seats)

   NHTSA 74V162000 Reported September 26, 1974 358 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Model years: 1975

6. Suspension: lower arm

   NHTSA 74V159000 Reported September 23, 1974 11,962 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Model years: 1975

7. Arm (steering)

   NHTSA 74V034000 Reported February 26, 1974 260 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Model years: 1974

8. Vacuum (service brakes)

   NHTSA 74V027000 Reported February 15, 1974 1,218,387 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Model years: 1973, 1974

9. U-bolt, leaf spring to axle (suspension)

   NHTSA 73V245000 Reported December 19, 1973 12,703 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Model years: 1974

10. Warning light/devices (seat belts)

    NHTSA 72V305000 Reported December 11, 1972 3,225 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1973

11. Suspension: upper arm

    NHTSA 72V290000 Reported November 24, 1972 330 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1973

12. Linkages (steering)

    NHTSA 72V265000 Reported October 31, 1972 544 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1973

13. Axle shaft (power train)

    NHTSA 72V130000 Reported May 23, 1972 1,082 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1972

14. Engine (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 71V235000 Reported December 29, 1971 6,682,084 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    There is a possibility that a separated motor mount may allow the engine to lift, which may affect the throttle linkage, momentarily increasing throttle, possibly to full throttle.

    Remedy: Inspect engine mounts and install restraints which will limit engine lift and eliminate possible secondary effects to the throttle linkage due to engine mount separation.

    Model years: 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969

15. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 70V143000 Reported December 3, 1970 12,600 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1971

16. Shift pattern indicator (power train)

    NHTSA 69V069000 Reported May 16, 1969 2,057 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Model years: 1969

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.