1976 Chrysler Cordoba problems
The Chrysler Cordoba was introduced as a full-sized luxury car based on the Chrysler Newport that was marketed during the 1970 model year. It was also applied to a show car exhibited that year.
The nameplate was then applied to an intermediate-sized two-door personal luxury car starting with the 1975 model year. The Cordoba was manufactured by Chrysler in North America over two generations until the 1983 model year.
The personal luxury version was the company's first model produced specifically for that market segment and the first Chrysler-branded vehicle smaller than full-size.
The name was taken from the Spanish city of Córdoba, Spain.
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Common 1976 Chrysler Cordoba problems
The Chrysler Cordoba, introduced in 1975, was a personal luxury car that faced several common problems based on complaints from owners. One of the main issues was the engine's performance, particularly the base six-cylinder engine (Slant Six) with a one-barrel carburetor, which produced only 90 horsepower.
Another problem was the car's weight. The Cordoba weighed approximately 3,400 pounds, making it significantly heavier than many of its competitors. This weight, combined with the underpowered engines, led to poor fuel efficiency and handling.
The Cordoba's design also had some inherent flaws. The car was initially intended to be marketed under the Plymouth marque, but Chrysler executives decided to brand it as an upscale Chrysler to maximize potential profits. This decision led to some issues with the car's design, as it was not initially designed to be a luxury vehicle.
The Cordoba's interior was another area where owners reported problems. The interior materials were often criticized for being cheap and poorly made, with complaints about the quality of the plastics and fabrics used in the car's construction.
The car's exterior was also criticized for being poorly designed, with some owners reporting issues with the car's aerodynamics and visibility. The Cordoba's sloping roofline and narrow windows made it difficult to see out of the car, particularly when changing lanes or merging onto highways.
Finally, the Cordoba's reliability was also a concern for many owners. The car was known for having a number of electrical and mechanical issues, including problems with the car's ignition system, fuel system, and suspension. These issues, combined with the car's poor fuel economy and handling, made it a less-than-ideal choice for many buyers.
In summary, the Chrysler Cordoba faced several common problems based on complaints from owners. These issues included poor engine performance, poor fuel economy, heavy weight, design flaws, cheap interior materials, poor visibility, and reliability concerns. While the Cordoba was initially successful, with Chrysler building 150,000 cars for 1975, 165,000 for 1976, and a further 140,000 for 1977, enthusiasm for the car started to wane as the decade came to an end, with rising inflation, interest rates, and fuel prices, as well as the downsizing programs of GM and Ford, making the Cordoba's nearly 3,700 lb (1,700 kg) weight with 360 cu in (5.9 L) or 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8 engines obsolete.
What engine was in the Chrysler Cordoba?
The Cordoba and Mirada standard engine was the 225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant six rated at 95 hp (71 kW; 96 PS). The detuned 318 cu in (5.2 L) 130 hp (97 kW; 132 PS) V8 was an option (standard on the Imperial, with EFI), and the (code E58) 360 cu in (5.9 L) 185 hp (138 kW; 188 PS) V8.
What engine is in a 1977 Cordoba?
The base engine in the '77 Cordoba was a 400-cubic-inch (6.5-liter) V8 with the notorious Electronic Lean Burn System, rated at 190 horsepower.
What was the Dodge version of the Cordoba?
Mirada
As for the Cordoba, it got a complete redesign for 1980, while the Dodge version of the new car became the Mirada. Both would last through 1983, when Lee Iacocca decided to bet the farm on K-cars and minivans, and the final personal luxury coupes, along with the Imperial, were unceremoniously axed.
How much horsepower does a 1975 Cordoba have?
Chrysler fitted its venerable 360-cu.in. small-block V-8 as standard equipment with a two-barrel carburetor, rated at 180 horsepower. Optional engines included a four-barrel, 190-hp, 360 V-8, and three versions of the 400-cu.in.
How many miles per gallon does a 1976 Chrysler Cordoba get?
block that grunted out 210hp and 305-lbs. ft. of torque. A Motor Trend test of a Cordoba equipped with the Lean Burn V-8 produced a fuel economy of 16.2 mpg (August 1976), though on paper it was rated for 12 mpg.
What happened to the Chrysler Cordoba?
The Cordoba was discontinued in 1983.
What engine is in a 1977 Cordoba?
The base engine in the '77 Cordoba was a 400-cubic-inch (6.5-liter) V8 with the notorious Electronic Lean Burn System, rated at 190 horsepower.
How long is a 76 Chrysler Cordoba?
Today we may laugh at the thought of this Cordoba being “small,” but its 215-inch length was fairly trim and tidy compared to the leviathan New Yorker. A choice of three V8 engines was offered. A 318 was standard, and the 360 and 400 were optional.
1976 Chrysler Cordoba car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chrysler Cordoba problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Visibility problems
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1976 Chrysler Cordoba vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1976 Chrysler Cordoba complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1976 Chrysler Cordoba.
VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-02-01
- Fire: 1
- Components: VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE HEATER MOTOR UP INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, WATER WOULD LEAK INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *JG
1976 Chrysler Cordoba recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1976 Chrysler Cordoba.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
- Summary: WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES IS DEPRESSED AND THE ACCELERATOR PUMP IS ACTIVATED, A DISTORTED ACCELERATOR PUMP SEAL IN THE CARBURETOR MAY PREVENT THE PUMP FROM DELIVERING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL.
- Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CARBURETOR ACCELERATOR PUMP SEAL WITH A SEAL OF IMPROVED DISTORTION RESISTANCE. THE CARBURETOR WILL ALSO BE CHECKED FOR THE PROPER FLOAT LEVEL.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Additional sources
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