1966 Chevrolet Corvair problems

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

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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Common 1966 Chevrolet Corvair problems

The Chevrolet Corvair 1966 faced several common problems based on complaints from owners:

Oversteer and Quirky Handling: The Corvair was known for its pronounced oversteer and quirky swing-axle behavior, leading to handling challenges, especially during aggressive turns. This issue could result in fishtailing and potential loss of traction, impacting the car's stability and safety. Owners needed to be cautious and adapt their driving style to compensate for these handling characteristics.

Tire Pressure Requirements: The Corvair's unique tire pressure specifications, with significantly different pressures between the front and rear tires, could lead to oversteer if not maintained correctly. Incorrect tire pressures could affect the car's handling, increasing the risk of accidents. Owners had to adhere strictly to the recommended tire pressures to ensure safe driving conditions.

Suspension Design: The Corvair's suspension design, particularly in earlier models, lacked certain stabilizing features like a front stabilizer bar, impacting the car's handling dynamics. Modifications were necessary to enhance stability and prevent issues like oversteer. Understanding the car's suspension system and making appropriate adjustments were essential for optimal performance.

Costly Maintenance and Parts Availability: Owning a Corvair, including the 1966 model, could be challenging due to the cost of maintenance and the rarity of some parts, especially outside the US. Finding specialized parts and skilled mechanics might pose difficulties, affecting the overall ownership experience. Owners needed to be prepared for potential maintenance challenges and associated costs.

These common problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance, careful driving, and awareness of the unique characteristics of the Chevrolet Corvair 1966. Addressing these issues proactively can help owners enjoy their Corvair while ensuring safety and reliability on the road.

What was the biggest problem with the Corvair?

The Corvair's alleged problems stemmed from its unusual rear-engined lay-out and the suspension that held it up. That design led to unstable emergency handling, according to Nader. It's hard to say whether the Corvair was much more dangerous than other cars of its time.

What were the dangers of the Corvair?

There was a chance, a slim one, that the outside rear wheel could tuck in under the body and potentially trip the car into a rollover. These effects were further exasperated when owners failed to heed the Corvair's unconventional recommended tire pressures: 15 psi in the front and 26 psi in the rear.

What engine is in a 1966 Corvair?

Chevrolet Turbo-Air 6 engine

Powered by the Chevrolet Turbo-Air 6 engine with 80 hp (60 kW) and mated to a three-speed manual or optional extra-cost two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission (RPO 360), the Corvair was designed to have comparable acceleration to the six-cylinder full-sized Chevrolet Biscayne.

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.

1966 Chevrolet Corvair car problems categorized by type of issue

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

Equipment problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1966 Chevrolet Corvair vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1966 Chevrolet Corvair complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1966 Chevrolet Corvair.

2000-12-05

EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2000-09-11
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

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