Chevrolet Corvair problems
The Chevrolet Corvair is a compact car manufactured by Chevrolet for model years 1960–1969 in two generations. A response to the Volkswagen Beetle, it remains the only American-designed, mass-produced passenger car with a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine. The Corvair was manufactured and marketed in 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, convertible, 4-door station wagon, passenger van, commercial van, and pickup truck body styles in its first generation (1960–1964) and as a 2-door coupe, convertible or 4-door hardtop in its second (1965–1969) – with a total production of approximately 1.8 million from 1960 until 1969.
The name "Corvair" originated as a portmanteau of Corvette and Bel Air, a name first applied in 1954 to a Corvette-based concept with a hardtop fastback-styled roof, part of the Motorama traveling exhibition. When applied to the production models, the "air" part referenced the engine's cooling system.
A prominent aspect of the Corvair's legacy derives from controversy surrounding its handling, brought to light by Ralph Nader's Unsafe at Any Speed and tempered by a 1972 Texas A&M University safety commission report for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which found that the 1960–1963 Corvair possessed no greater potential for loss of control in extreme situations than its contemporaries.
Chevrolet would more directly compete with imports the size of the Volkswagen Beetle with the subcompact Chevrolet Vega a year after Corvair production ended from 1970 to 1977. Today the Corvair has a devoted following among owners and collectors as average prices for Corvairs from any year have reached an all-time high.
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Chevrolet Corvair model years
Common Chevrolet Corvair problems
The Chevrolet Corvair, produced between 1960 and 1969, is known for its unique rear-engine design and innovative features. However, it has also been associated with several common problems that have affected its reputation and safety.
- Handling and Stability: The rear-engine placement in the Corvair caused a weight imbalance, resulting in poor handling. This issue was particularly problematic for high-speed driving, as it could lead to accidents when drivers attempted to correct steering errors.
- Tire Pressure Recommendations: The Corvair's tire pressure recommendations were outside the tire manufacturers' recommended tolerances. If one inflated the tires equally, as was standard practice for all other cars at the time, the result was a dangerous oversteer.
- Tire Overloading: The recommended tire pressures caused the front tires to be overloaded whenever there were two or more passengers in the car, leading to potential tire failure and accidents.
- Lack of Safety Features: The Corvair lacked several safety features that were becoming common in other vehicles during the 1960s. For example, it did not come equipped with a front anti-roll bar until the 1964 models, and a redesigned, independent rear suspension was not introduced until the 1965 models.
Despite these issues, the Corvair has its share of enthusiasts who appreciate its unique design and engineering. Aftermarket solutions, such as the EMPI Camber Compensator and upgraded springs and dampers, were available for knowledgeable owners to improve the Corvair's handling and safety.
What was the biggest problem with the Corvair?
The Corvair relied on an unusually high front to rear pressure differential (15psi front, 26psi rear, when cold; 18 psi and 30psi hot), and if one inflated the tires equally, as was standard practice for all other cars at the time, the result was a dangerous oversteer.
Are Chevy Corvairs reliable?
The Corvair is inherently flawed. It cannot be disputed that there were major safety errors baked into the design of the 1960-63 model.
Is a Corvair a good investment?
Despite a slight dip in value for earlier models, Corvairs made from 1965 to 1969 have risen nearly 12 percent in value, on average, since 2011.
Why was Corvair discontinued?
Under competition from the Mustang and the publicity hit of Unsafe, Corvair sales plummeted by over half in 1966. GM saw the advantages of developing the Camaro, not the Corvair. According to GM historian Dave Newell, Chevrolet had planned on ending Corvair production after the 1966 model year.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Chevrolet Corvair years
We have researched Chevrolet problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Chevrolet Corvair cars and compiled the top 1 most problematic Chevrolet Corvair model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Chevrolet Corvair model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Chevrolet Corvair years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Chevrolet Corvair car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Chevrolet Corvair , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Equipment problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Chevrolet Corvair vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Corvair model years
There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Chevrolet Corvair . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Chevrolet Corvair vehicles.
List of Chevrolet Corvair complaints
Chevrolet Corvair 1966
- Date Of Incident: 2000-09-11
- Date Complaint: 2000-12-05
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2C3HD56TH28
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: APPROXIMATELY 6:30AM, TRAVELING I-75, NORTHERN GEORGIA, SMELLED ODOR SUGGESTING SOME ELECTRICAL SHORT. TRUCK PASSED US AT SAME TIME ODOR DETECTED, ODOR DISAPPEARED. CONTINUED TO CALHOUN, GA. EXIT, STOPPED AT CRACKER BARREL RESTARUANT FOR BREAKFAST. CAME OUT OF RESTAURANT APPROXIMATELY 7:15AM...NOW DAYLIGHT. STARTED ENGINE, SMOKE CAME FROM EVERY A/C-HEATER VENT IN CAR. EXAMINED UNDER HOOD...ALL OK..RETRIEVED FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM TRUNK...WIFE AND I HAD BOTH EXITED CAR AT THAT TIME..WIFE EXCITEDLY POINTED OUT FIRE UNDER LEFT SIDE OF DASH BOARD. MANAGER OF RESTAURANT HAD OBSERVED CLOUDS OF SMOKE COMING FROM CAR AND CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED I HAD EXTINGUISHED FIRE. CAR HAULED TO DODGE DEALER IN DALTON, GA. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FIRE WAS DUE TO SHORT IN "HEATER BOX". I WAS GIVEN THIS COMPONENT ALONG WITH 25 AMP FUSE (BLOWN) AND PARTIAL HOUSING AROUND A/C BLOWER AS EVIDENCE. CHRYSLER "ENGINEER" EXAMINED CAR AT FAIRWAY CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH, KISSIMMEE, FL. ON 9/25/00. DAIMLER CHRYSLER DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY PER LETTER 9/28/00. I WROTE EXTENSIVE LETTER (REPORT) WITH ENCLOSURES TO MR. DIETER ZETSCHE, PRESIDENT, CHRYSLER GROUP, DAIMLER CHRYSLER CORPORATION 11/24/2000. PHONE CALL FROM SOMEONE AT DAMILER CHRYSLER CORP. 12/4/00 REAFFIRMING THEIR DENIAL OF ANY RESPONSIBILITY. HAD THIS FIRE OCCURRED WHEN ODOR FIRST DETECTED (TRAVELING 70 MPH IN PRE DAWN DARKNESS) IT IS QUESTIONABLE THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RETAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD HAVE HAD DISASTEROUS RESULTS (IE THE SUDDENNESS OF THIS FIRE AND THE THICK POISONOUS SMOKE FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR). CHRYSLER, OBSIOUSLY HAS KNOWN ABOUT PROBLEM(S) WITH THE AUTOMATIC AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEM LIKE THAT IN OUR CAR AS THEY REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR ON OUR CAR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY ON 1/13/00 WHEN OUR CAR HAD RECORDED 69204 MILES...THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO 70,000 MILES FOR THAT SERVICE. *AK
Recalls Chevrolet Corvair
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the Chevrolet Corvair.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Chevrolet Corvair 1966
- Report Received Date: 1971-12-03
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
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