1981 Chevrolet Chevette problems
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 Introduced in North America in September 1975, the Chevette superseded the Vega as Chevrolet's entry-level subcompact, and sold 2.8 million units over 12 years.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.”
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Common 1981 Chevrolet Chevette problems
The Chevrolet Chevette, produced from 1976 to 1987, was a subcompact car that was known for its affordability and fuel efficiency. However, it was also known for several common problems that owners have reported over the years.
One of the most common problems with the Chevette is overheating, which can be caused by a variety of factors. The 1981 Chevrolet Chevette found in a Denver junkyard had overheating problems prior to being parked, as evidenced by a can of Radiator Stop-Leak in the car. Overheating can be caused by a faulty thermostat, a leaking head gasket, or a damaged radiator. It can also be caused by a lack of coolant or a malfunctioning cooling fan.
Another common problem with the Chevette is weak sales. The 1982 Chevette, in particular, suffered from weak sales due to increased competition from more modern cars, some of which were coming from within Chevrolet's own showrooms. The Chevette's outdated mechanical design and lack of modern features made it less appealing to buyers who were looking for more advanced cars.
The Chevette was also known for its slow performance. The 1976 Chevette had two engine options: 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. These engines were not particularly powerful, and the car's top speed ranged from 80 to 88 mph. In 1982, a diesel engine from Isuzu was added, but this engine was also slow, making only 51 horses and 72 ft-lb torque.
Despite these problems, the Chevette was known for its reliability and fuel efficiency. With its gasoline engine, the Chevette rated as much as 28 mpg city, 40 highway. Starting in 1981, the car was available with a four-cylinder diesel engine, which got even better fuel economy but was slower still than the gas model.
In summary, the Chevrolet Chevette was known for its affordability and fuel efficiency, but it was also known for several common problems, including overheating, weak sales, and slow performance. Despite these problems, the car was reliable and fuel-efficient, which made it a popular choice among budget-conscious buyers.
How many miles per gallon does a 1981 Chevy Chevette get?
Based on data from 1 vehicles, 175 fuel-ups and 39,453 miles of driving, the 1981 Chevrolet Chevette gets a combined Avg MPG of 26.61 with a 0.60 MPG margin of error.
Why did they stop making Chevy Chevette?
They where so bad on take off that you could be run over in traffic. Just terribly slow. But GM moved on and the Chevette became history. Due to declining sales and the fact that Chevrolet was producing the Nova subcompact in a joint venture with Toyota at a plant in Fremont, Calif.
How many miles per gallon does a Chevy Chevette get?
In addition to being the smallest, most fuel-efficient car marketed by Chevrolet, the Chevette was the lightest car marketed in the U.S. The EPA rated the base 1.4-liter engine at 28 miles per US gallon (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg‑imp) city and 40 miles per US gallon (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg‑imp) highway.
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.
How many miles per gallon does a 1981 Chevy Chevette get?
Based on data from 1 vehicles, 175 fuel-ups and 39,453 miles of driving, the 1981 Chevrolet Chevette gets a combined Avg MPG of 26.61 with a 0.60 MPG margin of error.
Why did they stop making Chevy Chevette?
They where so bad on take off that you could be run over in traffic. Just terribly slow. But GM moved on and the Chevette became history. Due to declining sales and the fact that Chevrolet was producing the Nova subcompact in a joint venture with Toyota at a plant in Fremont, Calif.
What kind of engine does a Chevette have?
The Chevette originally appeared with a 1.4-liter inline-four of Isuzu origins, albeit with a single overhead cam rather than the pushrod model originally used in the United States. In 1981 this was augmented by a locally developed 1.6-liter version, it too with a single carburetor.
What was the last year Chevette was made?
-1987
It was ultimately built for model years 1976-1987. To no one's surprise, the Chevette was the best-selling small car in America from 1979 and 1980.
1981 Chevrolet Chevette car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet Chevette problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Seat belts problems
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1981 Chevrolet Chevette vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1981 Chevrolet Chevette complaints
The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1981 Chevrolet Chevette.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1901-01-01
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CONSUMER WANTS ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE SENSITIVITY OF THE GAS TANK IN THE 1981 CHEVETTE DURING CRASHES. *TS *NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-08-14
- VIN: 1G1AB6890BA
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: TIMING BELT FAILED.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G1AB689XBY
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER MECHANISM IS WORN OUT, CAUSING DIFFICULY SHIFTING INTO PARK/ REVERSE.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-03-26
- 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1990-05-26
- 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.
1981 Chevrolet Chevette recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1981 Chevrolet Chevette.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
- Summary: THE CARBURETOR FUEL PLUG MAY COME OUT AND FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE CARBURETOR.
- Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CARBURETOR INLET PLUG TO PREVENT IT FROM DISLODGING, AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
- Summary: THE CARBURETOR FUEL INLET HOUSING PLUG IN THE SIDE OF THE CARBURETOR MAY COME OUT.
- Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CARBURETOR INLET PLUG TO PREVENT FUEL LEAKAGE, WITHOUT CHARGE.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
- Summary: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS IN THE REAR SEATING POSITIONS CONTAIN FIRST LOCK POSITIONS WHICH WILL NOT LOCK WHEN USED BY SMALLER PASSENGERS. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION".
- Remedy: ALL OWNERS WILL BE SENT A PRE-PAID POSTAGE CARD THAT IS TO BE FILLED OUT AND SENT BACK. THE CARD WILL INDICATE WHETHER THE SEAT BELTS ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IF DEALER INSPECTS SEAT BELTS, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WILL BE REPLACED, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE.
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