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.
Interior/Under Dash
1725.0%
Frontal
1623.5%
Switch
1014.7%
Steering Wheel/Handle BAR
710.3%
High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
68.8%
Body
57.4%
Foundation Components
45.9%
Turn Signal
34.4%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
1991 Chevrolet Corsica 4-DR
—
—
—
—
When owners complained
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.
Jan 1995peak 23Oct 2003
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
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.
1
investigation is
still open.
DP96014Opened 14 Nov 1996Still openAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR
CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICL...
PE94062Opened 4 Aug 1994Closed 30 Dec 1994STEERING
STEERING COLUMN SMK/FLAMES
PE93009Opened 26 Feb 1993Closed 30 Jun 1993VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL FILTER FIRES
EA92024Opened 26 Jun 1992Closed 31 Jan 1994VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
STICKING THROTTLE
PE92021Opened 24 Feb 1992Closed 26 Jun 1992VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
STICKING THROTTLE
EA91023Opened 10 Apr 1991Closed 5 Jun 1991STEERING
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
PE91048Opened 20 Feb 1991Closed 10 Apr 1991STEERING
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
Recalls on the 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
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.
United States — NHTSA
91V083000
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
NUT ATTACHING STEERING WHEEL MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING INSTALLATION.
Risk: THIS COULD ALLOW STEERING WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM STEERINGCOLUMN; LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19910865,858 units in Canada
Steering
THE NUT ATTACHING THE STEERING WHEEL MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING INSTALLATION. THIS COULD ALLOW THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: STEERING WHEEL NUT WILL BE CHECKED AND TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION IF NECESSARY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
W Hartford, CT1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS AFTER GOING OVER 60 MPH AND COMES TO A STOP, CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION BUT DEALER UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM, POSSIBILY ENGINE RELATED.
NHTSA complaint #785005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Haltom City, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL WIRING FAILURE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NECrash3 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
LIGHT RAIN; CAR HAD BEEN AT AUTO STATION REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES FOR A REAR BRAKE JOB. FRONT BRAKES WERE NEW. ORGINAL COMPLAINT: PASSENGER REAR TIRE LOCKED UP AND CAR SKIDDED. 9-4-99, TRUCK SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER CAR, WE SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WE SKIDDED OVER ONE BLOCK INTO TRUCK. MOM (ME) BROKE 3 RIBS, SON HURT NECK, DAUGHTER CUT LIP. AFTER BODY SHOP HAD CAR FOR ALMOST 4 WEEKS, RETURNED CAR TO AUTO STATION. THEY FIXED MASTER CYLINDER--GUARENTEED TO FIX. TEST DRIVE- CAR SKIDDED ACCOSS SHOP'S PARKING LOT. REPLACED DRUMS. REAR BRAKES APPEAR TO BE WORKING WITH A LOUD RATTLE-LIKE THUMPING NOISE. AFTER MUCH MONEY SPENT AND NOW 5 TRIPS TO AUTO STATION, I DRIVE CAR TO WORK AND PRAY TO GOD THAT THE BRAKES HOLD THIS TIME. MECHANICS SAID ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED FROM OVERSIZED DRUMS. I TOOK DRUMS TO 2 OTHER CAR SHOPS--BOTH STATED DRUMS WERE FINE AND COULD BE TURNED ONE MORE TIME, BUT NO MORE. RIBS, NECK, AND MOUTH ARE ALL HEALING FINE. MOM (ME) IS BLOND WITH A VISA. SOM
NHTSA complaint #713167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atmore, ALCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG UPON IMPACT DUE TO DRIVER BEING INCAPACITATED EITHER UNCONSCIOUS OR STUNED. VEHICLE LANDED UP IN STEEP DITCH. DRIVER SUFFERED ABRASIONS TO NECK/FACE AND UPPER THIGHS. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DUP 817362, POSTED ON 03-NOV-98.
NHTSA complaint #524198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atmore, ALCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL/LAND UP IN STEEP DITCH. DRIVER SUFFERED ABRASIONS TO FACE/NECK AND UPPER THIGH. ALSO, SEVERE DAMAGE TO LEFT HAND SID EOF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #524181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atmore, ALCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
OWNER'S SON WAS DRIVING CAR. WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, CAUSING CAR TO FALL INTO A DITCH (TOTALLING THE WHOLE CAR.)
NHTSA complaint #817362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Casa Grande, AZ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH ENGAGES THE HIGH/LOW BEAM FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10042660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Waterford, OH
AIR BAGS
1991 CORSICA IGNITION WILL NOT TURN BACK SO I CAN GET KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION, I HAD MY CAR WORKED ON IN A DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND IT COST ME OVER $300.00, IT IS DOING THE SAME AGAIN AND ALSO IN 2002 ON A SNOWY ROAD I WENT INTO A DITCH AND MY AIR BAG NEVER CAME OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10010886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Waterford, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1991 CORSICA IGNITION WILL NOT TURN BACK SO I CAN GET KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION, I HAD MY CAR WORKED ON IN A DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND IT COST ME OVER $300.00, IT IS DOING THE SAME AGAIN AND ALSO IN 2002 ON A SNOWY ROAD I WENT INTO A DITCH AND MY AIR BAG NEVER CAME OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10010886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pembroke Pines, FL
STEERING
STEERING IS VERY HARD TO TURN, DEALER REPLACED HOSE AND CONSUMER STATED AFTER REPAIRS THE STEERING WAS NOISY.
NHTSA complaint #564032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pembroke Pines, FL
STEERING
STEERING IS VERY HARD TO TURN, DEALER REPLACED HOSE AND CONSUMER STATED AFTER REPAIRS THE STEERING WAS NOISY.
NHTSA complaint #564032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pembrooke, FL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT, IT TURNS VERY HARD. ALSO, CAR MAKES A LOT OF LOUD NOISES. *AK DEALER STATED PROBLEM WAS WITH THE STEERING RACK.
NHTSA complaint #898720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport, NC
TIRES
1 TIRE WAS DETECTED EARLY WITH A BUBBLE 2 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THEM. I RETURNED IT AND WAS REPLACED AT NO COST. ANOTHERN TIRE BLEWOUT AND WAS DESCRIBED AS ( SEPARATED FROM THE INSIDE AND HAD BUBBLE AFTER IT WAS FILLED WITH AIR ). I CALLED UNIROYAL CONSUMER RELATION AT 1-877-458-5878 , THEY SAID THEY WOULD REIMBURSE ME WHEN I BOUGHT ANOTHER TIRE. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE OTHER 2 TIRES . UNIROYAL SAID TIRES WAS 2YRS OLD AND MADE IN MEXICO. *AK (DOT NUMBER: E4-026896 TIRESIZE: P185-75-14)
NHTSA complaint #749155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
W Hartford, CT1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS AFTER GOING OVER 60 MPH AND COMES TO A STOP, CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION BUT DEALER UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM, POSSIBILY ENGINE RELATED.
NHTSA complaint #785005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millbrook, AL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
MY SON WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY FROM AN ON-RAMP, ACCELERATING TO THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC. THE HOOD LATCH ON THE VEHICLE FAILED AND THE HOOD POPPED OPEN SUDDENLY. IT SWUNG BACK AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKING THE WINDSHIELD IN SEVERAL PLACES. IT ALSO PULLED THE DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER BACK INTO THE SWING ZONE OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR AND PREVENTS THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR FROM OPENING. THE HOOD HAS A DENT ACROSS THE WIDTH OF IT AND WILL NOT CLOSE. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #744034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorba Linda, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
CAR STALLS WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP AFTER DRIVING CONTINOUSLY FOR 30 OR MORE MIN. & IF YOU START IT BACK UP ENGINE WILL RUN IN NUTURAL, BUT STALL WHEN SHIFTED TO DRIVE. SO TO GO HAVE TO STICK IN DRIVE & GUN THE ENGINE & WILL USALLY STOP STALLING AFTER THE NEXT TIME I STOP. TAKEN IT TO 3 MECHANICS OVER LAST 2 YRS. & NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. WHEN IT STALLS ENGINE WILL RUN IN NUTURAL, PARK & REVERSE.
NHTSA complaint #742943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT COLD TEMPS,WHEN SHIFT HI/LO BEAMS 2ND X LEVER BROKE OFF COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #739781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tontitown, AR
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TOP OUTER CORNER OF DOOR SHOULD BE ROUNDED OFF. IT'S DANGEROUS ONE CAN STICK HIMSELF IN THE FACE.
NHTSA complaint #879099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE IS STALLING AT SLOW SPEEDS OF NO MORE THAN 20 MPH. AS SOON AS CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES VEHICLE STALLS.
NHTSA complaint #877760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wooddale, IL
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRAME ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DROPPED . VEHICLE WAS NOT RUSTED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #874009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonvil, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL GASKET FAILURE, CAUSING TO LEAK OIL AND OVERHEATING OF THE ENGINE. * ET
NHTSA complaint #782960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Haltom City, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL WIRING FAILURE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Darien Center, NY
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
I WAS TOLD THE SOME LAW STATES THAT MY CAR CAN GET PAINTED WITH NO COST TO ME BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT IN THE PAINT. TONS OF CORSICAS HAVE IT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. MY CAR IS BEGINING TO LOOK HORRIBLE WITH MOST OF THE PAINT PEALED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #717345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE IS A SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA WHICH CAUSES THE LOW BEAMS NOT TO WORK, DRIVER HAS TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS WHEN DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #854903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
THE 2.2L TBI ENGINE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED SINCE 1993 WHEN CAR WAS PURCHASED, THIS IS NOT A NORMAL PROBLEM FOR A MAINTAINED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #714020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
THE 2.2L TBI ENGINE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED SINCE 1993 WHEN CAR WAS PURCHASED, THIS IS NOT A NORMAL PROBLEM FOR A MAINTAINED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #714020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NECrash3 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
LIGHT RAIN; CAR HAD BEEN AT AUTO STATION REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES FOR A REAR BRAKE JOB. FRONT BRAKES WERE NEW. ORGINAL COMPLAINT: PASSENGER REAR TIRE LOCKED UP AND CAR SKIDDED. 9-4-99, TRUCK SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER CAR, WE SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WE SKIDDED OVER ONE BLOCK INTO TRUCK. MOM (ME) BROKE 3 RIBS, SON HURT NECK, DAUGHTER CUT LIP. AFTER BODY SHOP HAD CAR FOR ALMOST 4 WEEKS, RETURNED CAR TO AUTO STATION. THEY FIXED MASTER CYLINDER--GUARENTEED TO FIX. TEST DRIVE- CAR SKIDDED ACCOSS SHOP'S PARKING LOT. REPLACED DRUMS. REAR BRAKES APPEAR TO BE WORKING WITH A LOUD RATTLE-LIKE THUMPING NOISE. AFTER MUCH MONEY SPENT AND NOW 5 TRIPS TO AUTO STATION, I DRIVE CAR TO WORK AND PRAY TO GOD THAT THE BRAKES HOLD THIS TIME. MECHANICS SAID ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED FROM OVERSIZED DRUMS. I TOOK DRUMS TO 2 OTHER CAR SHOPS--BOTH STATED DRUMS WERE FINE AND COULD BE TURNED ONE MORE TIME, BUT NO MORE. RIBS, NECK, AND MOUTH ARE ALL HEALING FINE. MOM (ME) IS BLOND WITH A VISA. SOM
NHTSA complaint #713167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, OH
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
NO SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #712353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #708010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paullina, IA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS HARD TO OPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #537831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paullina, IA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #537828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.