1984 Chevrolet Citation problems
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 1984 Chevrolet Citation problems
The Chevrolet Citation, introduced in 1980, was initially a best-seller with over 811,000 sales in its first year. However, it quickly gained a reputation for various problems, leading to numerous recalls and a decline in sales. In 1984, GM attempted to refresh the image of the Citation by renaming it the Citation II, but the change did not seem to help much, as the car was discontinued after the 1985 model year.
One of the significant issues with the Citation was poor quality, which led to a loss of consumer confidence. The car was criticized for its panel rust, handling characteristics, and occasional fires.
The Citation also faced braking issues, with the NHTSA taking GM to court due to the Citation's tendency to lose traction in the rear end under heavy braking, causing a loss of control. Although the NHTSA was not successful in its legal challenge to GM, the braking issues contributed to the car's poor reputation.
Additionally, the Citation suffered from power steering problems, further diminishing its appeal to potential buyers.
In 1983, the NHTSA, with the help of the Department of Justice, filed a $4 million suit against GM, alleging that the company knew about the faulty brakes and still decided to go ahead with sales, putting people's lives at risk.
The Chevrolet Citation and the other X-body cars from GM were a study in how different departments had their arms twisted in order to play nice with each other, resulting in a car that went down in automobile history as one of the worst cars ever.
In summary, the Chevrolet Citation was plagued by various problems, including poor quality, panel rust, handling characteristics, fires, braking issues, and power steering problems. These issues led to a significant loss in consumer confidence, numerous recalls, and a decline in sales, ultimately resulting in the car's discontinuation in 1985. The Citation's legacy is one of a car that failed to meet expectations, causing massive damage to GM's reputation and giving American cars an even worse reputation.
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.
How much horsepower does a Chevy citation have?
Equipped with a 2.5-liter four cylinder engine, generating 90 horsepower, or a 2.8-liter V6 engine, able to produce 115 horsepower, either engine was operated by a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission.
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.
What was the first Chevy to have front-wheel drive?
1980 Chevrolet Citation
The 1980 Chevrolet Citation, the brand's first front-wheel-drive car, debuts in U.S. showrooms on April 19, 1979, several months after production begins in Willow Run, Mich., ushering in an era of lighter, more spacious and fuel-efficient General Motors cars.
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.
How much horsepower does a Chevy citation have?
Equipped with a 2.5-liter four cylinder engine, generating 90 horsepower, or a 2.8-liter V6 engine, able to produce 115 horsepower, either engine was operated by a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission.
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.
What was the first Chevy to have front-wheel drive?
1980 Chevrolet Citation
The 1980 Chevrolet Citation, the brand's first front-wheel-drive car, debuts in U.S. showrooms on April 19, 1979, several months after production begins in Willow Run, Mich., ushering in an era of lighter, more spacious and fuel-efficient General Motors cars.
1984 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:
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Electrical system problems
- Steering problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1984 Chevrolet Citation vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1984 Chevrolet Citation complaints
The NHTSA has received 8 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1984 Chevrolet Citation.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1901-01-01
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Number Of Deaths: 2
- Crash: 1
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: LTR RE DEFECTIVE 1984 CHEVROLET CITATION, REQUESTING A DEFECT INVESTIGATION, REPLY ATTN. JOSEPH BACIGALUPI/SAN FRANCISCO OFC. *TS THE COMPLAINANT WAS THE PASSENGER ON A MOTORCYCLE WHICH WAS HIT BY A 1984 CHEVROLET CITATION. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS HIT WHEN THE CHEVROLET CITATION STALLED WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE CHEVROLET CITATION WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 85V-034 TO PREVENT IT FROM STALLING. THE COMPLAINANTS IS CONCERNED THAT NHTSA CONCLUDED THAT NO INCIDENTS OCCURRED BEFORE AUG. 1984 WHEN IN FACT THE ACCIDENT HE WAS INVOLVED IN INDEED OCCURRED BEFORE 1984. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER IF THE MOTORCYCLE DIED. THE PASSENGER ON THE MOTORCYCLE SUFFERED BRAIN DAMAGE AND BROKEN AND CRUSHED BONES. *NM
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-01-27
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Number Of Deaths: 2
- Crash: 1
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS A PASSENGER ON MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING THE MOTORCYCLE ON FREEWAY A VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED INTO TRAFFIC CRASHING WITH THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1984-05-19
- Number Of Deaths: 2
- Crash: 1
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURNS VEHICLE ACCELERATED THEN STALLED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MOTORCYCLE. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER OF THE MOTORCYCLE DIED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: IGIAX68RIET
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: THE FUEL SYSTEM IS THE PROBLEM AND IT GASPS AND DOES NOT WANT TO GO WHEN YOU ACCELERATE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-05-10
- VIN: 1G1AX68R9EW
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: REPLACEMENTS WERE DONE TO THE MAP SENSOR & THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE DUE TO VEHICLE STALLING, PROBLEM STILL EXIST DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *YC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-01-09
- VIN: 1G1AX08X3ET
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: I HAVE PUT SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS IN THIS CAR TO MAKE IT SAFE AND KEEP IT RUNNING, HOWEVER MY MECHANIC IS WAS CONFUSED WHY THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT RUN. I FOUND OUT THAT THE DEFECT IN IN THE CARB. AND THAT THE DECELERATION VALVE IS STUCK CLOSED. THE COST WILL BE TO REBUILD IS $425.00. I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT ANOTHER CAR WITH WHAT I HAVE INVESTED HOWEVER BY THE TIME THIS DEFECT WAS DISCOVERED I WAS ALREADY IN SO IN DEBT TO THE CAR I CAN'T TURN BACK AND DON'T HAVE ANOTHER $425.00 TO PUT OUT.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: VOLTAGE METER PRINTED CIRCUIT OVER HEATED, CAUSING COMPONENT TO JUMP OUT OF THE BOARD, RESULTING IN BATTERY/ALTERNATOR DAMAGE.
PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: PARKING BRAKE
- Summary: PARKING BRAKE RELEASES IT SELF WHEN DRIVERS DOOR IS CLOSED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL UNTIL TRANSMISSION ENGAGES IF LEFT IN GEAR.
1984 Chevrolet Citation recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1984 Chevrolet Citation.
- Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
- Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: THE FUEL SYSTEM MAY LEAK AT THE THROTTLE BODY INJECTION FUEL FEED PIPE CONNECTION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE WHICH COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE BURN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS.
- Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL FEED PIPE.
Other years of Chevrolet Citation
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