1990 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 1990 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 belts1723.3%
- Interior & seats1520.5%
- Electrical811.0%
- Engine79.6%
- Steering56.8%
- Brakes34.1%
- Fuel system34.1%
- Exterior lighting34.1%
- Suspension22.7%
- Driver assistance22.7%
- Body & structure22.7%
- Visibility11.4%
- Heating & air conditioning11.4%
- Other / unspecified11.4%
- Powertrain (other)11.4%
- Tires & wheels11.4%
- Airbags11.4%
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
WHILE AT A STOP VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND, BY A STANDARD 83 CHEVROLET TRUCK PICKUP(3/4 TON). DRIVER'S AND THE PASSENGER'S SEAT CAME OFF THE TRACK. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRAIN THE DRIVER, AND DRIVER'S HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT SEAT DO NOT WORK, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT IS TOTALY BROKEN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE AT A STOP VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND, BY A STANDARD 83 CHEVROLET TRUCK PICKUP(3/4 TON). DRIVER'S AND THE PASSENGER'S SEAT CAME OFF THE TRACK. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRAIN THE DRIVER, AND DRIVER'S HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
SMOKE FROM STEERING COLUMN FIRST NOTED ON 5/95 - REPAIRED AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN (SECOND TIME). ON 1/6/99 NOTICE SMOKE AFTER CAR WAS STARTED. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP THAT REPAIRED VEHICLE THE FIRST TIME TO SEE IF MAYBE THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR DEFECTED EQUIPMENT. THEY STATED THERE WERE NONE. ALSO, I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE 12,000/12 MOS. WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY NOW. AS STATED EARLIER THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN FOUR YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO NOTICED ON THE WEB THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND YEAR.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND JERKS, THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN HITTING BUMPS AND CRACKS IN THE ROAD, THE DEALER HAS MADE SOME REPAIRS BUT THEY HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, THIS STALLING PROBLEM OCCURS LESS WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. NLM
WIRING COVER MELTED/ DEALER SAID I TOOK IT OFF TO AVOID REPLACING IT. THEY WANTED 2,400.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE IT. IT MELTED I DID NOT REMOVE IT.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND JERKS, THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN HITTING BUMPS AND CRACKS IN THE ROAD, THE DEALER HAS MADE SOME REPAIRS BUT THEY HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, THIS STALLING PROBLEM OCCURS LESS WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. NLM
THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING WATER (COOLANT) WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY AT 45MPH. TOOK TO DEALER & THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE HEAD GASKETS. *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
STEERING UNIT DISLOCATED FROM FIREWALL (WAS BOLTED)
INTERMIITENTLY STEERING COLUMN WILL SMOKE W/CAUSE UNDETERMINED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK
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
1. ENGINE WAS REBUILT 1995 OR '96. VEHICLE WILL NOT IDLE PROPERLY IN DRIVE DESPITE REPEATED TUNE-UPS/REPAIRS. NON-ADJUSTABLE IDLE SPEED. 2. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED DESPITE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AT ALIGNMENT AND FRAME ADJUSTMENT. NON-ADJUSTABLE CASTOR. 3. PARTS THAT COMPRISE HANDBRAKE UNIT ARE SO CHEAP THEY BREAK EASILY; HANDBRAKE TOO WEAK TO HOLD VEHICLE ON GRADE.
SAFETY BELTS FAILED. *SD
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
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE FUEL INJECTORS CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN AND PARKED FOR 5 MINUTES WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. VEHICLE IS BEING LOOKED AT BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
ELECTRONIC COMPUTER MODULE REPLACED 4 TIMES.
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
EXPERIENCE SMOKE EMISSIONS FROM STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURN SIGNAL IS IN USE WHEN TURNING INTERMITTENTLY. TT
LEFT TURN INDICATOR SWITCH BECAME INOPERATIVE, LATER CAUGHT ON FIRE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. ENGINE WAS REBUILT 1995 OR '96. VEHICLE WILL NOT IDLE PROPERLY IN DRIVE DESPITE REPEATED TUNE-UPS/REPAIRS. NON-ADJUSTABLE IDLE SPEED. 2. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED DESPITE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AT ALIGNMENT AND FRAME ADJUSTMENT. NON-ADJUSTABLE CASTOR. 3. PARTS THAT COMPRISE HANDBRAKE UNIT ARE SO CHEAP THEY BREAK EASILY; HANDBRAKE TOO WEAK TO HOLD VEHICLE ON GRADE.
ELECTRONIC COMPUTER MODULE REPLACED 4 TIMES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. MJS
RETRACTOR FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIR.
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
VEHICLES HOOD STRUCK WINDSHIELD AND ROOF WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER STATED HOOD RELEASE DID NOT OPEN HOOD AT EARLIER DATE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)
CONSUMER PURCHASE CAR BRAND NEW THE DRIVE SIDE DOOR BELOW HINGES IS RUSTING OUT AND PASSENGER SIDE NEED THE BODY MOLDING,INSIDE TRUCK NEED THE HINGES. TT
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
AFTER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION THE WIPER'S CONTINUE TO SWIPE FOR ABOUT 14-22 TIMES BEFORE STOPPING, THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURED. NLM
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
ELECTRONIC COMPUTER MODULE REPLACED 4 TIMES.
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
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF DUE TO BOLTS SHEARING.(OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING UNIT DISLOCATED FROM FIREWALL (WAS BOLTED)
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 1990 CHEVROLET CORSICA. THE VEHICLE HAS KELLY EXPLORER A/S (NA), SIZE P195/75/14 TIRES. ALL OF THE TIRES FLATTENED AND WERE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE VALVES WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE TIRES CONTINUED TO FLATTEN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,195 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,589.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
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 .