1983 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 Introduced in North America in September 1975, the Chevette superseded the Vega as Chevrolet's entry-level subcompact, and sold 2.8 million units over 12 years.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 1983 Chevrolet Chevette problems
The Chevrolet Chevette, produced from 1976 to 1987, was an inexpensive car that focused on transportation rather than style. Despite its affordability, the Chevette was not without its share of problems.
One of the most common issues with the Chevette was its slow performance. The car was painfully slow, with the gasoline model rated at 28 mpg city, 40 highway, and the diesel engine model getting even better fuel economy but being slower still.
The Chevette's engines suffered from weak power output. The 1976 model 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 powerful enough to provide the car with decent acceleration, making it unsuitable for highway driving or overtaking other vehicles.
The Chevette's design was also a source of criticism. The car was based on an Opel model from General Motor's European brand and was nothing fancy.
The car's reliability was also a concern. While the Chevette was reliable and economical to run, it was not without its problems. The car's engines were prone to failure, and the car's suspension and brakes were not up to the task of handling the car's weight and power. The car's interior was also criticized for its lack of comfort and features.
In conclusion, the Chevrolet Chevette was an inexpensive car that focused on transportation rather than style. However, the car was not without its problems. The Chevette's slow performance, weak engines, outdated design, and reliability issues made it a less desirable option for consumers. Despite its affordability and reliability, the car's shortcomings made it a less attractive option compared to its competitors.
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.
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 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.
How much did a Chevette cost new?
The earliest models were priced around $3,000. Twelve years later, by the time the Chevette was discontinued, pricing had only jumped to approximately $5,000.
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.
How much did a Chevy Chevette cost?
The earliest models were priced around $3,000. Twelve years later, by the time the Chevette was discontinued, pricing had only jumped to approximately $5,000.
1983 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:
- Interior lighting problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1983 Chevrolet Chevette vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1983 Chevrolet Chevette complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1983 Chevrolet Chevette.
INTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-04-01
- VIN: 1G1AB68C8DY
- Components: INTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: COURTESY LIGHT FUSE SHORTS OUT, CAUSING PROBLEMS SEEING AT NIGHT.
INTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-04-01
- VIN: 1G1AB68C8DY
- Components: INTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: FUSE FOR INSTRUMENT LIGHTS SHORT OUT, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO READ GAUGES AT NIGHT. *DSH
1983 Chevrolet Chevette recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1983 Chevrolet Chevette.
- 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.
Other years of Chevrolet Chevette
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