Chevrolet Chevette problems

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The Chevrolet Chevette is a front-engine, rear-drive subcompact manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet for model years 1976–1987 as a three-door or five-door hatchback. Introduced in North America in September 1975, the Chevette superseded the Vega as Chevrolet's entry-level subcompact, and sold 2.8 million units over 12 years. The Chevette was the best-selling small car in the U.S. for model years 1979 and 1980.

The Chevette employed General Motors' global T platform which was co-developed by Opel and Isuzu in 1973. The first T-car model produced was the Brazilian Chevrolet Chevette released in the same year. Six months later the Opel Kadett C was released in Europe. Worldwide, GM manufactured and marketed more than 7 million T-cars – either as rebadged models or locally-built versions in different countries. T-car variants were sold internationally as the Pontiac Acadian in Canada; Pontiac T1000/1000 in the United States (1981–1987); K-180 in Argentina; Vauxhall Chevette in the United Kingdom, Austria, France, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, and Uruguay; Opel Kadett C in Germany; Isuzu Gemini in Japan, Holden Gemini in Australia; AYMESA Cóndor in Ecuador (from 1978); Saehan Gemini and Daewoo Maepsy in South Korea; and as a coupe utility (pickup), the Chevy (or GMC) 500 in Brazil and South America. A T-car variant remained in production in South America through 1998.

Introduced on a full-color nationwide campaign in 140–150 of the country's largest daily papers, the New York Times said the "little American car holds its own with the foreigners." Looking back on the Chevette in 2011, the same publication called the Chevette "haphazardly made, sparsely trimmed and underpowered." Consumer Guide described the Chevette as “unimaginative to an extreme.”

photo of Chevrolet Chevette car production

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Chevrolet Chevette model years

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Chevette 1986
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Chevette 1985
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Chevette 1984
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Chevette 1982
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Chevette 1981
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Common Chevrolet Chevette problems

The Chevrolet Chevette, a subcompact car manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet from 1976 to 1987, is known to have several common problems based on complaints from its owners.

One of the most significant issues with the Chevette is its poor performance. The car had two engine options when it was first introduced: a 52-horsepower 1.4-liter inline-four that made 70 ft-lb torque and a 60-horsepower 1.6-liter inline-four making 82 ft-lb torque.

Another issue with the Chevette is its poor fuel efficiency. Despite being marketed as an economical car, the Chevette's fuel efficiency was not as good as expected. The gasoline engines gave 33mpg for the gasoline engines and almost 42 mpg for the diesel variant, on the highways. However, the performance was nonexistent, with the gasoline Chevettes hitting 60 in a painful 13 seconds while the diesel took some 21.2 seconds.

The Chevette's interior is another area where the car falls short. The car's interior is described as unimaginative and sparsely trimmed. The seats were made of vinyl specifically designed to sear beachgoers' skin, and the gear change was a mess. The back seat was referred to as the torture chamber, and the turn signal required the use of the whole hand to flick it.

The Chevette's handling and safety are also areas of concern. The car was slow and numb, with iffy feedback, making for careful driving. The Chevette's anemic power delivery and iffy feedback, despite lacking power steering, made for cautious driving. The car was stable in normal driving conditions, but driving it in the rain was a nigh-on religious experience, with all the terror beloved of slasher movie audiences.

Finally, the Chevette's reliability is also a concern. Despite being a relatively reliable car that withstood teenage abuse and neglect, the Chevette had its fair share of issues. The car's design and manufacturing quality were not up to the mark, and many owners reported problems with the car's engine, transmission, and suspension.

In conclusion, the Chevrolet Chevette is known to have several common problems, including poor performance, poor fuel efficiency, a sparse and unimaginative interior, poor handling and safety, and reliability issues. These problems have contributed to the car's reputation as one of the worst cars ever made.

Chevrolet Chevette

How many miles per gallon does a Chevy Chevette get?

The base 1.4-liter engine was rated at 28 mpg city/40 mpg highway, figures unheard of in past domestic models.

What is the recall on the Chevy Chevette?

DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. said Friday it is recalling 491,000 Chevrolet Chevette and Pontiac T-1000 models -- nearly half the models built from 1980-82 -- to fix a carburetor problem that could lead to engine fires.

Did Chevette have air conditioning?

It was not available with air conditioning. New styled-steel wheels with center caps were offered, and the previous wheel and hubcap design was discontinued.

What engine did the Chevette have?

The Chevette was a variation of the General Motors T-car platform which includes Opel Kadett, Chevrolet Chevette and Isuzu Gemini. Offered as a 2-door sedan and as a 4-door sedan, it was powered by a 1.6-liter overhead camshaft engine with a 1.8-liter Isuzu diesel engine available as an option.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Chevrolet Chevette years

We have researched Chevrolet problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Chevrolet Chevette cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Chevrolet Chevette model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Chevrolet Chevette model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Chevrolet Chevette years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Chevrolet Chevette car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Chevrolet Chevette , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Seat belts problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Vehicle speed control problems
  • Fuel system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Chevrolet Chevette vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Chevette model years

A total of 3 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Chevette model years

There were a total of 4 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 18 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Chevrolet Chevette . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Chevrolet Chevette vehicles.

List of Chevrolet Chevette complaints

Chevrolet Chevette 1981
  • Date Of Incident: 1901-01-01
  • Date Complaint: 2005-11-09
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: CONSUMER WANTS ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE SENSITIVITY OF THE GAS TANK IN THE 1981 CHEVETTE DURING CRASHES. *TS *NM
Chevrolet Chevette 1980
  • Date Of Incident: 2003-06-26
  • Date Complaint: 2003-06-26
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DEASHBOARD.*AK
Chevrolet Chevette 1981
  • Date Of Incident: 1997-08-14
  • Date Complaint: 1997-09-01
  • VIN: 1G1AB6890BA
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: TIMING BELT FAILED.
Chevrolet Chevette 1981
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 1997-04-09
  • VIN: 1G1AB689XBY
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER MECHANISM IS WORN OUT, CAUSING DIFFICULY SHIFTING INTO PARK/ REVERSE.
Chevrolet Chevette 1981
  • Date Of Incident: 1997-03-26
  • Date Complaint: 1997-04-08
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: DEFECTIVE SEATBELT AND BRAKES, UPON HITTING THE BRICK HOUSE THE PASSENAGER WAS EJECTED INTO THE WINDSHIELD.
Chevrolet Chevette 1986
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 1997-03-13
  • VIN: 1G1TB68C5GA
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: FUEL PUMP FAILURE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING; ALSO REPLACED CARBURETOR/TRANSMISSION/ENGINE. *AK
Chevrolet Chevette 1986
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 1997-02-24
  • VIN: 1G1TB68C5GA
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: VEHICLE OFTEN LOSES POWER AND UNABLE TO GO ABOVE 20 MPH, UNLESS GOING DOWNHILL. HAPPENS PRIMARILY WHEN CRUISING ON HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND THERE IS LITTLE RESPONSE FROM THE ACCELERATOR. PROBLEM CANNOT BE DETERMINED.
Chevrolet Chevette 1981
  • Date Of Incident: 1990-05-26
  • Date Complaint: 1996-10-02
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN PASSENGER IN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY BRAKE FAILURE.
Chevrolet Chevette 1986
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 1996-08-30
  • VIN: 1G1BN35Y0G9
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: BRAKES FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIR.
Chevrolet Chevette 1983
  • Date Of Incident: 1993-04-01
  • Date Complaint: 1996-04-15
  • VIN: 1G1AB68C8DY
  • Components: INTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: COURTESY LIGHT FUSE SHORTS OUT, CAUSING PROBLEMS SEEING AT NIGHT.
Chevrolet Chevette 1983
  • Date Of Incident: 1993-04-01
  • Date Complaint: 1996-04-15
  • VIN: 1G1AB68C8DY
  • Components: INTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: FUSE FOR INSTRUMENT LIGHTS SHORT OUT, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO READ GAUGES AT NIGHT. *DSH
Chevrolet Chevette 1985
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 1995-08-09
  • Number Of Injuries: 2
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT REAR END BOTH FRONT SEATS RECLINED BACKWARD . TT
Chevrolet Chevette 1982
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 1995-05-24
  • VIN: 1G1AB68C1CY
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAN'T GET IT TO BUCKLE IT IS HARD TO LOCK. TT
Chevrolet Chevette 1982
  • Date Of Incident: 1995-04-18
  • Date Complaint: 1995-04-18
  • VIN: 1G1AB68C4CY
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: VEHICLE SMOKES AND MELTS WIRES AND HARNESS BOX TO EACH OTHER AGAINST FIREWALL WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED ON. *SKD
Chevrolet Chevette 1982
  • Date Of Incident: 1995-03-16
  • Date Complaint: 1995-03-16
  • VIN: 1G1AB68C4CY
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: WIRING HARNESS THAT LIES AGAINST FIREWALL SMOKES/BURNS/MELTS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE. *AW

Latest 5 recalls Chevrolet Chevette

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 15 recalls for different components of the Chevrolet Chevette.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

  • Model: Chevrolet Chevette 1985
  • Report Received Date: 1988-04-04
  • Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  • Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
  • Summary: THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER BUTTON MECHANISM MAY WEAR TO THE POINT THAT THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFT LEVER NO LONGER NEEDS TO BE DEPRESSED TO SHIFT GEARS.
  • Consequence: A LEVER WITH THIS CONDITION COULD BE INADVERTENTLY BUMPEDOR MOVED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE BY THE DRIVER OR A PASSENGER WHILE THE VEHICLEIS BEING DRIVEN. A SUDDEN UNEXPECTED SHIFTING COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH.
  • Remedy: A NEWLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES.
  • Model: Chevrolet Chevette 1983
  • Report Received Date: 1988-04-04
  • Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  • Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
  • Summary: THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER BUTTON MECHANISM MAY WEAR TO THE POINT THAT THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFT LEVER NO LONGER NEEDS TO BE DEPRESSED TO SHIFT GEARS.
  • Consequence: A LEVER WITH THIS CONDITION COULD BE INADVERTENTLY BUMPEDOR MOVED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE BY THE DRIVER OR A PASSENGER WHILE THE VEHICLEIS BEING DRIVEN. A SUDDEN UNEXPECTED SHIFTING COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH.
  • Remedy: A NEWLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES.
  • Model: Chevrolet Chevette 1984
  • Report Received Date: 1988-04-04
  • Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  • Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
  • Summary: THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER BUTTON MECHANISM MAY WEAR TO THE POINT THAT THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFT LEVER NO LONGER NEEDS TO BE DEPRESSED TO SHIFT GEARS.
  • Consequence: A LEVER WITH THIS CONDITION COULD BE INADVERTENTLY BUMPEDOR MOVED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE BY THE DRIVER OR A PASSENGER WHILE THE VEHICLEIS BEING DRIVEN. A SUDDEN UNEXPECTED SHIFTING COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH.
  • Remedy: A NEWLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES.
  • Model: Chevrolet Chevette 1986
  • Report Received Date: 1988-04-04
  • Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  • Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
  • Summary: THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER BUTTON MECHANISM MAY WEAR TO THE POINT THAT THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFT LEVER NO LONGER NEEDS TO BE DEPRESSED TO SHIFT GEARS.
  • Consequence: A LEVER WITH THIS CONDITION COULD BE INADVERTENTLY BUMPEDOR MOVED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE BY THE DRIVER OR A PASSENGER WHILE THE VEHICLEIS BEING DRIVEN. A SUDDEN UNEXPECTED SHIFTING COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH.
  • Remedy: A NEWLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES.
  • Model: Chevrolet Chevette 1986
  • Report Received Date: 1986-09-19
  • Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
  • Summary: THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
  • Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

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