RoadVitals

1996 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.
110
Latest Dec 29, 2014
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.
1
Latest Mar 12, 2007
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.
0
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
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 110 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Corsica, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 36 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

1 campaign 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, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

Mar 12, 2007
742 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Dec 29, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CORSICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10668815
Incident
Dec 29, 2014
Engine
Filed Oct 8, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CORSICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TAKEN TO SERWE CHEVROLET. THEY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AT THE COST OF $500. LESS THAN TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AGAIN AT THE COST OF $577. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS SEPARATING YET AGAIN. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED HAVING IT REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10244745
Incident
Jul 10, 1999
Mileage
50,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 15, 2008

OUR 96 CORSICA BEGAN TO LOSE POWER OFF AND ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. SOMETIMES IT WOULD STALL. WE HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT AND FOUND AN COOLANT LEAK. COOLANT WAS LEAKING ON THE GROUND AS WELL AS INTO THE HEAD GASKET. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227937
Incident
Feb 1, 2008
Mileage
170,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 17, 2007

1996 CHEVROLET CORSICA LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD DEFECT. CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE GASKET FAILURE ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. WHEN HIS FAILED IT CAUSED ENGINE COOLANT TO GET INTO THE OIL PAN. *KB

NHTSA ID
10212769
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Body & structure
Filed Jun 15, 2007

I OWN A 1996 CHEVROLET CORSICA. IT LOOKED MUCH OLDER THAT A 1996, BECAUSE THERE WERE MANY SPOTS OF PAINT THATCAME OFF. YOU COULD TELL THAT THE PAINT FAILED. IT MUST NOT HAVE BONDED TO THE CAR BECAUSE THE AREAS WERENOW RUSTING EVEN THOUGH I PUT WAX ON THERE TRYING TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE FAILED PAINT. I DO MANY THINGS TO KEEP THE CAR LOOKING GOOD ,BUT THE PAINT JUST SLOWLY KEPT COMING OFF. I DIDN'T USE CAR WASHES ANYMORE BECAUSE THE PAINT CAME OFF WHEN IT WAS HIT WITH THE PRESSURIZED WATER. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER CORSICA CARS AROUND TOWN THAT SEEMED TO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. I DIDN'T KNOW THE EXACT DATE BUT IT STARTED RUSTING MORE RECENTLY. THE PAINT FAILED FROM THE HOOD TO THE TRUNK. THERE WERE 22 LARGE SPOTS THAT WAS DOWN TO METAL OR TURNED TO RUST NOW. *AK

NHTSA ID
10193483
Incident
Jan 10, 2007
Filed Aug 14, 2006

CONSUMER WOULD LIKE INFORMATION FOR RECALLS REGARDING 1996 CHEVROLET CORSICA. *KB *JB

NHTSA ID
10165841
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Body & structure
Filed Aug 11, 2004

THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF ON MY CAR. THESE SPOTS ARE NOT SMALL, BUT HUGE SPOTS THAT HAVE BUBBLED AND COME OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS SINCE IT APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFEAT. PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10086641
Incident
Aug 11, 2004
Brakes
Filed May 4, 2004
Crash reported

(1) FOR OVER A YEAR NOW MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ON 1998 CHEVROLET CORSICA HAVE FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN RAINY WET CONDITIONS. I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHEN RAINY OR WET. THE BRAKES CATCH AND RELEASE REPEATEDLY EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE CAR TO SLIDE (THIS EVEN HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING 10 MPH). AFTER THE FIRST 15 STOPS IT WILL EVENTUALLY BEGIN TO STOP WITHOUT DOING THIS. BUT IN THE CASE OF THE ACCIDENT I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR 30 MINUTES AND THE CAR FAILED TO STOP. (2) I WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WITH 3-4 CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN MYSELF AND CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP IN TIME. I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. (3) I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER ON 3 OCCASSIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THEY SAY THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT. IF THAT WERE THE CASE, WE WOULD ALL BE DEAD. THE FIRST 3 YEARS THAT I HAD THE VEHICLE IT DID NOT DO THIS, SO OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. I EVEN HAD THE DEALERSHIP SIGN A PAPER STATING THAT HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, SO THAT I WILL HAVE WHEN I DO HAVE TO HANDLE THIS IN A LEGAL MANNER. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCING THE BRAKE FAILURE, MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE BRAKES ARE DANGEROUS BUT THAT HE CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM WHEN HE TAKES THEM APART. THEREFORE HE CANNOT FIX IT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10068264
Incident
Feb 6, 2004

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIC4696D

EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Corsica by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1997100
1996Viewing1101042.8
19951020040.6
19941231047.5
19931000146.2
19921251257.0
19911081759.3
1990552661.6
1989646665.5
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.