How many recalls does the 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum have?

The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum has 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum?

Of 12 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is engine and engine cooling.

1987 Chevrolet Spectrum Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 15,903 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 88V046000 1988-03-29 8,238 affected

Defect

THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION VALVE MAY PROVIDE INADEQUATE AIR FLOW UNDER LOW ENGINE LOAD CONDITIONS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW WATER/OIL MIXTURE TO BUILD UPIN THE HOSE FROM THE OIL SEPARATOR TO THE AIR INLET DUCT. AFTER THE ENGINE ISSTOPPED, THIS WATER/OIL MIXTURE CAN, UNDER COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, FREEZE ANDCOMPLETELY BLOCK THE OIL SEPARATOR AIR DUCT HOSE. THIS BLOCKAGE WILL RESULT ININCREASED PRESSURE WITHIN THE…

Remedy

THE PCV VALVE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW VALVE.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 88V036000 1988-03-23 7,665 affected

Defect

PERFORATION OF THE FUEL TANK OR THE ATTACHED FUEL FEED PIPE DUE TO CORROSION OF THE TANK OR FUEL FEED PIPE MATERIALS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FUELTANK AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. SUCH A FIRE COULDSPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Remedy

THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Total complaints12

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Rear passenger's restraint belt sticks. Belt will not extend. *ak”

SEAT BELTS · reported 1997-07-31

“The clucth would not lock out of gear caused the consumer to have a near accident. *ak”

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY · reported 1996-02-22

“Sudden acceleartion when force is not applied to the gas pedal. *ak”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 1996-02-18

“Defective carburetor, causing high idle prior to service recall. *ak”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM · reported 1995-06-12

“Idle set for 1987 spectrum is not adjustable-will not hold. Tt”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL · reported 1995-06-01

“Engine failure due to 'non free wheeling' design of engine which causes parts to bind when timing belt fails.”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · reported 1995-01-19

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.