Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 64 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seat Belts. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports3 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
64 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2011
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 W…
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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 ODI #10395438
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2004
Exterior Lighting
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 A…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10082258
100,000 miles · Jun 10, 2004
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10076065
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2004
Unknown Or Other
GRAY PAINT PEELING FROM FRONT FENDERS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10062447
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2004
Seat Belts
SHOULDER BELT SEPARATED FROM THE LAP BELT WHERE A RIVET HAD BROKEN LOOSE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10062441
92,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
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 ODI #10071093
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2003
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 ODI #10038700
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2001
Fuel System, GasolineSeat BeltsSeats
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #752062
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2001
Seat BeltsVehicle Speed ControlInjury
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 STEERIN…
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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 ODI #785578
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2001
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
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.*AK
THE STYLED STEEL WHEELS CAN HAVE CRACKS DEVELOPING AT THE OUTER EDGES OF THE WHEEL WHERE THE SPOKES MEET THE RIM. THE CRACKS PROPAGATE FROM EACH SIDE OF A SPOKE TOWARD EACH OTHER, AND EVENTUALLY MEET. THE MEETING OF THE CRACKS RESULTS IN COMPLETE SEAPARATION OF A SPOKE FROM THE WHEEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CRACKING CONDITION CAN OCCUR ON EVERY SPOKE ON THEWHEEL, CAUSING COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL FROM THE VEHICLE, AND RESULTINGIN LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING CONTROL.
THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS MAY HAVE REDUCED SENSITIVITY OF THE LOCK-UP FEATURE AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION IN A SUDDEN DECELERATION OR CRASH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FAILURE OF THE SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR WOULD RESULT INTHE SEAT OCCUPANT ONLY BEING RESTRAINED BY THE LAP BELT IN A CRASH OR SUDDENSTOP, AND AN INCREASED POSSIBILITY OF INJURY.
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