The most-reported Nova run is 1Y1SK1948GZ (1986 builds) with 1 complaints, 1× the typical run. Power train problems make up 40% of reports; 1988 is the worst model year at 1 complaints per run.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet Nova has 14 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 36% of every Nova complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y1SK1948GZ•••••• | 1986 | — | — | |
| 1Y1SK684XGZ•••••• | 1986 | — | — | |
| 1Y1SK5140HZ•••••• | 1987 | — | — | |
| 1Y1SK514XH2•••••• | 1987 | — | — | |
| 1Y1SK5149HZ•••••• | 1987 | — | — | |
| 1Y1SK5144H2•••••• | 1987 | — | — | |
| 1Y1SK514XHZ•••••• | 1987 | — | — | |
| 141SK5143H8•••••• | 1987 | — | — | |
| 1Y1SK5143HZ•••••• | 1987 | — | — | |
| 1Y1SK5147JZ•••••• | 1988 | — | 1 | |
| 1Y1SK5149J2•••••• | 1988 | 1 | — | |
| 1Y1SK5104JZ•••••• | 1988 | — | — |
Each of the other 2 Nova runs has 1 complaint or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet Nova the gap between build years is 1×: a 1988 car draws 1 complaints per run, a 1987 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 5 | 5 | 1 | |
| 1987 | 7 | 7 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1988 at 1 complaints per run; lightest is 1987 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 40% of everything Chevrolet Nova owners report: Power Train, 6 of 14 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Seat Belts | — | — | |
| Fuel System | — | — | |
| Gasoline | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | — | |
| Electrical System | — | 1 | |
| Seats | 1 | — | |
| Latches/locks/linkages | — | — |
The Nova against its rivals
The Nova draws 1 complaints per production run; the BMW M3 1.5. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Nova | 14 | 14 | 7.1% | |
| BMW M3 | 286 | 192 | 5.6% |
How serious were they
Of the 14 reports on the Chevrolet Nova, 7.1% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Chevrolet Nova | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 14 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 1 (7.1%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 1 (7.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Chevrolet Nova share of that is 14 complaints over 14 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Chevrolet Nova VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 14 NHTSA complaints from 14 Nova runs and 0 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Nova production run has the most complaints?
1Y1SK1948GZ, a 1986 build, with 1 complaints. The typical Nova run has 1.
Which Nova years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1988 is heaviest at 1 complaints per run and 1987 lightest at 1.
Does the Nova get more complaints than the BMW M3?
No: 1 complaints per production run for the Nova against 1.5 for the BMW M3.
How many Nova complaints involve a crash?
7.1% of 14 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.
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