1983 Chevrolet Chevette recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. 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.
What could happen: A LEVER WITH THIS CONDITION COULD BE INADVERTENTLY BUMPEDOR MOVED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE BY THE DRIVER OR A PASSENGER WHILE THE VEHICLEIS BEING DRIVEN. A SUDDEN UNEXPECTED SHIFTING COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: A NEWLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES.
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 1983 CHEVETTE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 88V050000.
- 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: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A LEVER WITH THIS CONDITION COULD BE INADVERTENTLY BUMPEDOR MOVED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE BY THE DRIVER OR A PASSENGER WHILE THE VEHICLEIS BEING DRIVEN. A SUDDEN UNEXPECTED SHIFTING COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: A NEWLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES.
Notes: SYSTEM: TRANSMISSION/SHIFT LEVER.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Lights (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
04/15/1996 · Lights
COURTESY LIGHT FUSE SHORTS OUT, CAUSING PROBLEMS SEEING AT NIGHT.
04/15/1996 · Lights
FUSE FOR INSTRUMENT LIGHTS SHORT OUT, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO READ GAUGES AT NIGHT. *DSH