The 1986 Chevrolet Spectrum has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 108,268 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE PERFORATION OF THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM. EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONTENT IN THE FUEL PROMOTES DEGRADATION OF THE DIAPHRAGM COATING RESULTING IN RADIAL CRACKING OF THE DIAPHRAGM.
Consequence
A PERFORATED DIAPHRAGM CAN ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK FROM THEFUEL PUMP INTO THE UNDERHOOD AREA. THIS COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN ANUNDERHOOD FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. SUCH A FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THEPASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Remedy
A FUEL VENTILATION HOSE KIT WILL BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT FUEL FROM ESCAPING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IF THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM LEAKS AND THEREBY REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
1
1crashes
Total complaints2
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I purchased this 1986 chevrolet spectrum from an inlaw who couldn't get it to run. He purchased the car from someone else who couldn't get it to run. I personally have spent countless hours, and money tring to get the car to stay running. With no positive result. I have replaced the fuel filter,…”
“Both rear seat belts came undone during an accident. Tt”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE90062 Opened 1990-03-21 · closed 1990-07-30
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Chevrolet Spectrum as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.