1980 Chevrolet Citation problems

General information about Chevrolet-Citation
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Chevrolet Citation is a range of compact cars that was produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. The first Chevrolet sold with front-wheel drive, a single generation of the Citation was sold from the 1980 to 1985 model years. The successor of the Chevrolet Nova, the Citation was initially slotted between the Chevrolet Monza and the Chevrolet Malibu in the Chevrolet product line, later replaced by the Chevrolet Cavalier and the Chevrolet Celebrity.

The Citation was built on the second-generation compact GM X-platform. For 1980, GM had significantly revised its design, adopting a front-wheel drive layout and significantly decreasing it in size; while directly replacing the Nova, the all-new Citation bore an exterior footprint sized between the subcompact Chevrolet Monza and Chevrolet Vega. Sold alongside the Pontiac Phoenix, Buick Skylark, and Oldsmobile Omega, the Citation was offered in three body styles, including three-door and five-door hatchbacks and a two-door notchback coupe. The 2-door coupe style was similar to but had a distinctive roofline from the Phoenix, Skylark, and Omega, while the 3-door hatchback was exclusive to the Citation. The 5-door hatchback style was shared with the Phoenix, while a 4-door sedan style was offered only on the Skylark and Omega. Alongside a standard trim level, Chevrolet offered the Citation X-11, offering performance-oriented upgrades.

The Chevrolet Citation was assembled in the United States and Mexico alongside the Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Omega, and Pontiac Phoenix by North Tarrytown Assembly (North Tarrytown, New York), Oklahoma City Assembly (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), and Ramos Arizpe Assembly (Ramos Arizpe, Mexico). Following the 1985 model year, the Citation was discontinued by Chevrolet and its compact model range was replaced by the Chevrolet Beretta two-door coupe and Chevrolet Corsica four-door sedan/five-door hatchback. In total, Chevrolet manufactured 1,642,587 examples of the model line during its production run.

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Common 1980 Chevrolet Citation problems

The 1980 Chevrolet Citation, despite being a best-seller in its first year, gained a bad reputation due to numerous engineering and reliability issues. The car was introduced in 1979 as an all-new model, spanning less than 15 feet from bumper to bumper and riding atop a 104.9-inch wheelbase. It offered significant interior room and cargo-carrying capability, making it a popular choice among consumers

However, the Citation was plagued with engineering quirks and reliability issues from the start. One of the most common problems was rust, which affected not only the Citation but all X-body GM cars. Rusting began almost immediately after purchasing a brand-new car, causing significant concerns for owners.

Another major issue was the car's fuel injection system, which was deemed too expensive for mass production. Instead, a two-barrel carburetor was used on the V6 engine, which proved to be the most complicated and problematic of all the engine options. This resulted in various drivability issues, further tarnishing the Citation's reputation.

The Citation's suspension setup, while providing a pleasant ride over most road conditions, was also a source of frustration for many owners. Early citations suffered from creaks and moans, particularly in the front suspension, which affected the overall driving experience

Additionally, the Citation's braking system was also a cause for concern. The car was prone to engine fires and had issues with safely stopping in heavy braking. These problems caught the attention of the NHTSA, leading to a lawsuit against GM. The Citation became one of the most recalled vehicles ever produced, with numerous recalls due to transmission hoses that leaked and caused fires, and various driveability issues

The Citation's reputation was further damaged by the US Government's decision to file a lawsuit against General Motors for faulty brakes. The lawsuit alleged that GM knew about the faulty brakes and still decided to go ahead with sales, putting people's lives at risk.

In conclusion, the 1980 Chevrolet Citation was a car that had many promising features, but its numerous engineering quirks and reliability issues led to its downfall. Despite being a best-seller in its first year, the Citation's reputation was quickly tarnished, causing its sales to collapse and leading to its eventual withdrawal from the market in 1985

Is a Chevy Citation a good car?

Reception. The Chevrolet Citation was awarded Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1980. In 2009, the editorial staff of Car and Driver criticized the 1980 Motor Trend decision (alongside several other vehicle awards), citing poor build quality and mechanical reliability undeserving of such an award in hindsight.

What was the gas mileage on a 1980 Chevy citation?

engine and transmission, Citation has an EPA estimated 24mpg (city), 38 highway. California EPA estimated figures not available at time of printing. Check dealer for that information. REMEMBER: Compare this estimate to the estimated MPG of other cars.

How much horsepower does a 1980 Chevy citation have?

Chevrolet Citation Hatchback Coupé 2.8 V6 117hp, 1980.

What is a Chevy citation?

Manufactured between 1980 and 1985, the Chevy Citation was a best-seller, and among the first X-body compact cars offered as mainstream front-wheel drive vehicles to consumers.

Is a Chevy Citation a good car?

How much horsepower does a 1980 Chevy citation have?

The number one Selling car in America At The Time equipped With A 2.5 l </S> <S> cylinder engine generating 90 horsepower or a 2.8 l V6 engine able to produce 115 horsepower either engine was operated

What was the gas mileage on a 1980 Chevy citation?

How much horsepower does a Chevy Citation x11 have?

135 hp

The 1982 X-11 ditched the four-cylinder engine in favor of a high-output 2.8-liter V6. At a time when Mk2 VW Golf GTIs were making 110 horsepower, the X-11 doled out 135 hp and could reach 60 mph in 8.5 seconds.

1980 Chevrolet Citation car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet Citation problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Visibility problems
Engine and engine cooling problems
Service brakes problems
Hydraulic problems
Steering problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1980 Chevrolet Citation vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
Components: VISIBILITY
Summary: HEATER CORE FAILED. MJS

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1980 Chevrolet Citation recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 9 recalls for different components of the 1980 Chevrolet Citation.

1983-02-24

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
Summary: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE PREMATURE REAR WHEEL SKID DURING BRAKING. REAR WHEEL SKIDDING IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR ON A WET OR SLICK SURFACE.
Remedy: DEPENDING ON THE TRANSMISSION TYPE AND THE BRAKE COMPONENTS THAT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE OR REPAIR, AS NECESSARY, CERTAIN FRONT BRAKE COMPONENTS, AND THE PARKING BRAKE CABLES. THE REAR BRAKE SHOES AND LININGS WILL BE REPLACED WITH PARTS THAT USE A MATERIAL WHICH GREATLY REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF REAR WHEEL SKID. ACTIONS TAKEN TO THE FRONT BRAKES ARE TO ENSURE UNIFORMITY OF THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM. ACTIONS TAKEN TO THE PARKING BRAKE COMPONENTS WILL ENSURE THAT THE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS, FOR KEEPING THE VEHICLE STATIONARY WHILE MANUAL TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED UNITS ARE IN NEUTRAL AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED UNITS ARE IN PARK, ARE MET.

1981-08-10

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
Summary: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE REAR BRAKES COULD LOCK UP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING DURING HIGH DECELERATION BRAKING. THE PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE PROPORTIONER VALVES IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE SYSTEM PROPORTIONER VALVES AND IF NECESSARY INSTALL NEW VALVES.

1979-10-17

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Summary: THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING PLATE ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS AT HIGH MILEAGE WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT TO BECOME LOOSE. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE CONSIDERABLE "FREE PLAY" IN THE STEERING WHEEL.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED TYPE OF STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

1979-09-25

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
Summary: THE AUTOMATIC COOLER LINE HOSES ON SOME OF THE SUSPECT VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL VOIDS, WHICH COMBINED WITH A HIGH THERMAL EXPANSION AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES, COULD RESULT IN HOSE FAILURE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE COOLER LINE HOSES USING HOSES WITH KEVLAR BRAIDED REINFORCEMENT.

1979-04-17

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
Summary: THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING MAY HAVE A LARGER THAN DESIRED INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE LOWER COIL WHERE IT RESTS ON THE SPRING SEAT. THIS COULD ALLOW THE SPRING TO BE FORCED OVER THE LOWER SPRING SEAT DUE TO SUSPENSION FORCES.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE INCORRECT FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WITHOUT CHARGE.

1979-04-05

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Summary: THE LONGITUDINAL BODY BARS AT THE REAR CONTROL ARM LOCATION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED INTO THE STRUCTURE. SOME OF THESE BARS MAY HAVE BEEN PULLED DOWN FROM THE BODY DURING SHIPMENT WITH RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE OR FUEL LINES. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT MAY ALSO RESULT.
Remedy: LONGITUDINAL BODY BARS WILL BE WELDED AND BOLTED IN THE PROPER POSITION WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

1979-04-05

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: FUEL HOSES MAY BE INCORRECTLY POSITIONED AND CONTACT THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVE AXLE BOOT DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE ROTATING BOOT COULD WEAR A HOLE IN THE FUEL HOSE, RESULTING IN FULE LEAKAGE.
Remedy: IF PROPER CLEARANCE IS NOT PRESENT, THE METAL FUEL PIPE WILL BE REFORMED UPWARDS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

1979-04-05

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CLUTCH CONTROL CABLE AND BRAKE PIPE IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS CAN RESULT IN RUBBING CONTACT WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS OPERATED. ALSO, THE BRAKE PIPE CLEARANCE TO THE TRANSMISSION CASE MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE PIPE, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION.
Remedy: THE CLUTCH CABLE ROUTING WILL BE REVISED TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER, WITHOUT CHARGE.

1979-03-22

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: SEATS
Summary: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "ANCHORAGE OF SEATS". THE LOCK BAR IN THE FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY AND THE ABILITY OF THE SEAT ADJUSTER TO MAINTAIN THE SEAT IN A LATCHED POSITION DURING AN ACCIDENT MAY BE REDUCED.
Remedy: BOTH FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.