1989 Chevrolet Corsica Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Chevrolet Corsica, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Seat belts1823.4%
- Electrical1013.0%
- Interior & seats911.7%
- Driver assistance79.1%
- Engine67.8%
- Fuel system56.5%
- Other / unspecified45.2%
- Steering45.2%
- Exterior lighting33.9%
- Visibility22.6%
- Brakes22.6%
- Body & structure22.6%
- Tires & wheels22.6%
- Transmission22.6%
- Heating & air conditioning11.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SHOULDER BELT SEPARATED FROM THE LAP BELT WHERE A RIVET HAD BROKEN LOOSE. *NM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE REPLACED ALTENATOR IN MY CAR 3 TIMES WITH IN 30,000 MILES. I HAVE NO SIGNIFICANT DRAIN ON MY CAR EXCEPT A CD PLAYER.*AK
WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE WILL STILL RUN, AND THE CONSUMER CAN'T GET THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES. *AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASHBOARD. CAR FILLED UP WITH SMOKE. CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE CAR AND HEADLIGHTS, AND CAR KEPT SMOKING. CONSUMER SAW A TRICKLE OF FIRE UNER THER DASHBOARD. THEN DROPS OF FIRE DROPPED DOWN INTO THE VEHICLE, AND ENTIRE CAR WAS UP IN FLAMES. *AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, THE ENGINE ROARED, THE BRAKE WERE USELESS AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE LEVER BACK INTO PARK, THE CAR RACED 40 FEET OVER A CURB INTO A RETAINING WALL, THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, THE DRIVER WAS THROWN INTO THE STEERING WHEEL ALTHOUGH SHOULDER AND LAP BELT WERE IN USE, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. NLM
SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
ENGINE OVERHEATED, CAUSING THE ENGINE HEAS TO WARP. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
FUEL TANK IS LEAKING. *AK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS HALF FULL, THERE IS A FUME COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP AREA. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE LUGS: NUTS SNAPPED IN HALF. THE TIRE PUSHED INTO MY PASSANGER DOOR AND BUCKLED. THE TIRE THEN WENT UNDER MY CAR AND LIFTED MY CAR UP ( LIKE WHEN YOU HIT A CURB BUT HIGHER). THEN THE TIRE CAME OUT AND ROLLED DOWN THE STREET. I ENDED UP INJURING MY BACK. I HAD TO GET A TOW TRUCK TO TOW ME HOME. I HAD TO REPLACE 4 OF THE LUG NUTS THAT BROKE I NEED A NEW TIRE, RIM AND FENDER I ALSO HAVE TO HAVE THE DOOR FIXED. THE PASSANGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AND I MAY HAVE A SMALL CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. AS OF NOW ALL THAT HAS BEEN FIXED IS THE LUG NUTS. I STILL HAVE BAD BACK PAINS FROM THIS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED NOT ALLOWING IGNITION TO SHUT OFF.
STARTER MALFUNCTIONED; ALSO, HOOD LATCH FAILED, CAUSING HOOD TO RAISE UP AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT . *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCES TURN SIGNAL LIGHT SIGNAL/RING BUTTON FAILURE, WHEN TURNING LEFT OF RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT MECHANISM BECOMES INOPERATIVE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND MY ADDRESS HAS ONLY CHANGED ONCE, NEVER HAVE I BEEN INFORMED OF THE RECALL ON THE FUEL TANK AND AM HAVING NO SUCESS FROM GMC IN GETTING THE OTHER 2 PROBLEMS RESOLVED FROM THE RECALLS OF THE WINDOW OR SEAT BELTS. DUE TO THE DEFECT IN THE SEAT BELT, I CANNOT LATCH THE SEAT BELT WHICH HAS BECOME A CHARGEABLE LAW, WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED A TICKET FOR NON CONMPLIANCE AND A WARNING TO REPAIR BEFORE MY COURT DATE ON JULY 14, 2000.
RIGHT WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM HITS WINDSHIELD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED.
BRAKE FAILURE, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, SOFT PEDAL, PULSATE, AND HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
FAILURE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE, CONSUMER APPLIED GREAT FORCE TO THE DOOR TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED, EA92-002. *AK *SLC
RIGHT WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM HITS WINDSHIELD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THE TIRE SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, PART OF THE TREAD WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLES AND GAS LINE, RIPPING IT FROM THE BODY AND AROUND THE AXLE, THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW.(YOKOHAMA MODEL 372 ALL SEASON P195 70R 14)*ET
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
NONE
RIGHT WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM HITS WINDSHIELD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
PIECE OF FOAM MATERIAL FROM AIR CONDITIONING DEFLECTOR ASSEMBLY BLEW OUT FROM A/C VENT INTO DRIVER'S EYE, CAUSING INJURY. *SKD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .