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1986 Chevrolet Chevette

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1986 Chevette.

The 1986 Chevrolet Chevette is defined by its oil capacity of four quarts and a recommended 5W‑30 API viscosity. Owner complaint data show just three incidents spanning engine, cooling, fuel and power‑train concerns. The same year also carries three recalls, underscoring a modest reliability record for the model year.

Model year1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731175 alt 25325404
Engine air filter	08996587 alt 94217100
Fuel filter	5651803 discontinued · alt 94132241
Spark plug	19300874
Front wiper blades	22110234 discontinued
Serpentine belt	09433740 alt 88932477
Thermostat	94214962 alt 03041415

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	161.8 in
Overall width	61.8 in
Overall height	52.8 in
Wheelbase	94.1 in
Curb weight	2081 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)	54/46

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Chevette of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

15.0–21.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 15.00 sec — 1977 3-door Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1981	Diesel 5-door Hatchback 1.8L Diesel I-4	21.13 sec	21.48 sec	51 hp	RWD
1977	3-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4	15.00 sec	19.80 sec	52 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.7 qt
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt
Engine Oil	API · 15W-30 · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	6 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 3,750 mi.

At 3,750 mi	Exhaust Pressure Regulator (inspect)
Every 3,750 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 5,000 mi	Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 7,500 mi	Carburetor Mounting Fasteners (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Filter Water Separator (inspect) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Exhaust Pressure Regulator (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Choke System (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
Every 100,000 mi	Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1986 Chevrolet Chevette dominate in one area — the engine & engine cooling,fuel system, gasoline,power train,vehicle speed control, 1 of 3 reports (33%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 3 recall campaigns target the engine & engine cooling,fuel system, gasoline,power train,vehicle speed control, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine & engine cooling,fuel system, gasoline,power train,vehicle speed control pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline,Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control1

Vehicle Speed Control1

Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

88V050000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column ShiftReported 04/04/1988

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. Remedy: A NEWLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES.

86V056000Exterior Lighting:Headlights:SwitchReported 28/04/1986

THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER… Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Chevette. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4 qt Engine oil filter 12731175 Engine air filter 08996587 Fuel filter 5651803 Spark plug 19300874

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1986 Chevette take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1986 Chevette have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.