RoadVitals

1989 Chevrolet Corsica

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
64
Latest Apr 11, 2011
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
8
7 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 64 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet Corsica, most frequently naming the seat belts, electrical and interior & seats categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

WHEELS

Dec 6, 1991
19,603 units potentially affected
The defect: THE STYLED STEEL WHEELS CAN HAVE CRACKS DEVELOPING AT THE OUTER EDGES OF THE WHEEL WHERE THE SPOKES MEET THE RIM. THE CRACKS PROPAGATE FROM EACH SIDE OF A SPOKE TOWARD EACH OTHER, AND EVENTUALLY MEET. THE MEETING OF THE CRACKS RESULTS IN COMPLETE SEAPARATION OF A SPOKE FROM THE WHEEL.
The risk: THE CRACKING CONDITION CAN OCCUR ON EVERY SPOKE ON THEWHEEL, CAUSING COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL FROM THE VEHICLE, AND RESULTINGIN LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING CONTROL.
The remedy: REPLACE THE INVOLVED WHEEL ASSEMBLIES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

SEAT BELTS

Nov 26, 1991
722,884 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS MAY HAVE REDUCED SENSITIVITY OF THE LOCK-UP FEATURE AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION IN A SUDDEN DECELERATION OR CRASH.
The risk: FAILURE OF THE SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR WOULD RESULT INTHE SEAT OCCUPANT ONLY BEING RESTRAINED BY THE LAP BELT IN A CRASH OR SUDDENSTOP, AND AN INCREASED POSSIBILITY OF INJURY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA92025ClosedEngineering Analysis

FR.SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS

Opened Jul 16, 1992
Closed Jul 8, 1993

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS
EA92024ClosedEngineering Analysis

STICKING THROTTLE

Opened Jun 26, 1992
Closed Jan 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE92048ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SEAT BREAKS FROM TRACK

Opened May 12, 1992
Closed Sep 28, 1992

There is no summary currently available

SEATS
PE92043ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PARK BRAKE HANDLE FAILURE

Opened Apr 22, 1992
Closed Aug 31, 1992

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 11, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 CHEVROLET CORSICA EQUIPPED WITH COOPER LIFELINER TOURING SLE TIRES, LINE SIZE 205/70/R14. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES BLEW. THE CONTACT INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE ABD PROCEEDED DRIVING 65 MPH. MOMENTS LATER, THE SECOND FRONT TIRE BLEW AND ANOTHER SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10395438
Incident
Oct 11, 2010
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 20, 2004

THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE FAILED TO WORK 4 TIMES ON THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THIS FAILURE AT NIGHT THE DRIVER HAD TO HOLD THE BRIGHTEST ON WHILE DRIVING UNTIL THEY ALSO FAILED WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO FIND SOMEWHERE SAFE TO PULL OVER. THE DIMMER SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND I AM TOLD BY THE PREVIOUS ORIGINAL OWNER THAT IT HAD BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST ONE OTHER TIME WHILE IN THEIR POSSESSION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM THAT RENDERS THE VEHICLE EITHER INOPERABLE AT NIGHT OR UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR RISK OF THE PART FAILURE AGAIN. *LA

NHTSA ID
10082258
Incident
Jul 18, 2004
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 10, 2004

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45 -50 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BENT OUT. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE WHEEL RECALL 91V2130000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10076065
Incident
Jun 4, 2004
Mileage
100,000 mi
Filed Mar 17, 2004

GRAY PAINT PEELING FROM FRONT FENDERS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10062447
Incident
Mar 17, 2004
Seat belts
Filed Mar 17, 2004

SHOULDER BELT SEPARATED FROM THE LAP BELT WHERE A RIVET HAD BROKEN LOOSE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10062441
Incident
Mar 17, 2004
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE PAINT STARTED BUBBLING AND THEN COMING OFF IN SEVERAL PLACES ON THE CAR, BEGINNING WITH THE HOOD. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION AGAINST GM BECAUSE I SEE MANY CORCICAS WITH THE PEELING PAINT. I WONDER WHAT KIND OF CHEAP OR DEFECTIVE PAINT THEY USED ON THESE CARS? THEY ALL HAVE THE PEELING PAINT FROM 1989 THRU 1996.

NHTSA ID
10071093
Incident
Jun 15, 1999
Mileage
92,000 mi
Filed Sep 11, 2003

1989 CHEVEROLET CORSICA SILVER/GRAY PAINT IS PEELING AND CHIPPING OFF. I KNOW IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT I HAVE SEEN OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND WAS WONDERING IF YOU HAD INFORMATION REGARDING ANY SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10038700
Incident
Jan 1, 1989
Fuel systemInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Sep 11, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
752062

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Corsica by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1997100
19961101042.8
19951020040.6
19941231047.5
19931000146.2
19921251257.0
19911081759.3
1990552661.6
1989Viewing646665.5
19884651363.2
19872710

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.