FaultScore report
Owners have filed 90 complaints about the 1989 Chevrolet Corsica with NHTSA between 1995 and 2011. The largest single group is the seat belts.
90
Complaints
7
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
11
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
4 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 92,000 miles
0 crashes, 2 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 100,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
FR.SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS
STICKING THROTTLE
SEAT BREAKS FROM TRACK
PARK BRAKE HANDLE FAILURE
STICKING THROTTLE
HINGE PIN FAILURE
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Suspension
THE STYLED STEEL WHEELS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP CRACKS AT THE OUTER EDGES OF THE WHEEL SPOKES WHERE THE SPOKES MEET THE RIM. THIS CONDITION COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE SPOKES TO SEPARATE FROM THE WHEEL CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD RESULT. CORRECTION: WHEELS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SUSPECT MANUFACTURING DATE CODES AND REPLACE WHEELS AS NECESSARY.
Seats And Restraints
ON VEHICLES WITH A PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM, THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT LOCK-UP DURING A VEHICLE CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS MAY BE RESTRAINED ONLY BY THE LAP BELT THEREBY INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY. CORRECTION: FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS AND BELT ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Seats And Restraints
THE FRONT SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY MAY CONTAIN AN IMPROPER, MISSING AND/OR MISLOCATED WELD. FRACTURE OF A WELD COULD CAUSE UNEXPECTED SEAT MOVEMENT. THIS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: BOTH FRONT SEAT ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Seats And Restraints
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 209 - SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. THE FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATES MAY NOT ENGAGE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES OR DO SO ONLY AFTER WIGGLING THE LATCH PLATE, RESULTING IN A NO-LATCH CONDITION OR SOME DIFFICULTY IN GETTING A LATCHED CONDITION.IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR A VEHICLE CRASH, FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED. CORRCTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND FRONT SEAT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED AS REQUIRED.
Fuel System
SMALL CREASES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK MAY FATIGUE AND CRACK RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. IF THE LEAK IS UNDETECTED AND THERE IS AN EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGNITION, A FIRE COULD RESULT. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND FUEL TANKS REPLACED AS REQUIRED.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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
NHTSA complaint #785578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
NHTSA complaint #785578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT RESTRAINT DID NOT LOCK IN A CRASH, I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHEST AND RIGHT ARM, IT CRACKED MY STERNUM AND BADLY BRUSED MY RIGHT FOREARM.
NHTSA complaint #748191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
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.
NHTSA complaint #855048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
WHEN THE DIAPHRAM FAILS IT ALLOWS FUEL TO PUMP PAST THE THROTTLE VALVE INTO THE RUBBER AIR INTAKE HOSE ON THROUGH TO THE AIR CLEANER HOUSING AND THEN ON TO THE GROUND. AT ANY ONE OF THESE IT CAN IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE AS DID MINE. THIS REGULATOR AND ANOTHER SIMILAR ONE ARE USED ON SEVERAL GM VEHICLES. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THIS PART FAIL, LUCKILY WITHOUT A FIRE. I AM SURE I AM NOT THE FIRST TO LOSE A VEHICLE TO THIS COMPONANTS' FAILURE RESULTING IN A FIRE. I ALSO AM CONCERNED OF THE GREAT POTENTIAL FOR PERSONAL INJURY. I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLL IN CORRECTING THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #712464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
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.
NHTSA complaint #706669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
TIRES
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 complaint #10395438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10082258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10076065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 complaint #10071093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
SHOULDER BELT SEPARATED FROM THE LAP BELT WHERE A RIVET HAD BROKEN LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10062441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
GRAY PAINT PEELING FROM FRONT FENDERS.
NHTSA complaint #10062447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 complaint #10038700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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
NHTSA complaint #785578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
NHTSA complaint #785578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #752062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #752062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #752062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #752062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT RESTRAINT DID NOT LOCK IN A CRASH, I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHEST AND RIGHT ARM, IT CRACKED MY STERNUM AND BADLY BRUSED MY RIGHT FOREARM.
NHTSA complaint #748191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
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.
NHTSA complaint #739445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
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.
NHTSA complaint #739445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NONE
NHTSA complaint #738097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL TANK IS LEAKING. *AK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS HALF FULL, THERE IS A FUME COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP AREA.
NHTSA complaint #877985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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)
NHTSA complaint #784932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #724965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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.
NHTSA complaint #724965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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.
NHTSA complaint #724965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #723569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
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.
NHTSA complaint #855048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
PLASTIC THAT HOLDS SHOULDER BELT TO LAP BELT FELL OFF.
NHTSA complaint #850858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.