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1996 Chevrolet Corsica problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Chevrolet Corsica is engine and cooling. Its complaint count is close to a typical Corsica model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
110
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
36
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
21-24mpg

The worst 1996 Chevrolet Corsica problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    33
  • Brakes
    21
  • Body
    15
  • Fuel system
    10
  • Electrical
    9
  • Transmission
    9
  • Steering
    7
  • Visibility
    6
  • Airbags
    5
  • Lights
    5
  • Suspension
    5
  • Seats
    4
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Seat belts
    3
  • Tires
    2
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Chevrolet Corsica

Stalling 10ABS 6Won't start 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Chevrolet Corsica 36

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 36 bulletins for the 1996 Chevrolet Corsica

1996 Chevrolet Corsica fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.2L 4‑cylFWD212924
3.1L 6‑cylFWD182721

What 1996 Chevrolet Corsica owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 29, 2014 · Fuel system · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet corsica. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, there was a fuel odor coming from the inside and outside of the vehicle. The failure occurred on a daily basis. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Oct 8, 2008 · Engine · 50,000 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet corsica. The contact stated that the head gasket has been replaced twice to no avail. The vehicle would not start and was taken to serwe chevrolet. They replaced the head gasket at the cost of $500. Less than two years later, the failure recurred. The head gasket was replaced again at the cost of $577. During routine maintenance, it was discovered that the head gasket was separating yet again. The dealer recommended having it replaced as soon as possible. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 140,000.

Filed May 15, 2008 · Engine · 170,000 miles · CO

Our 96 corsica began to lose power off and on for several months. Sometimes it would stall. We had the car looked at and found an coolant leak. Coolant was leaking on the ground as well as into the head gasket. The mechanic said that this seems to be a common problem with this car and engine.

Filed Dec 17, 2007 · Engine · MD

1996 chevrolet corsica lower intake manifold defect. Consumers vehicle experienced the gasket failure on the intake manifold. When his failed it caused engine coolant to get into the oil pan.

Filed Jun 15, 2007 · Body · WI

I own a 1996 chevrolet corsica. It looked much older that a 1996, because there were many spots of paint thatcame off. You could tell that the paint failed. It must not have bonded to the car because the areas werenow rusting even though I put wax on there trying to prevent the spread of the failed paint. I do many things to keep the car looking good ,but the paint just slowly kept coming off. I didn't use car washes anymore because the paint came off when it was hit with the pressurized water. I have seen many other corsica cars around town that seemed to have this same problem. I didn't know the exact date but it started rusting more recently. The paint failed from the hood to the trunk. There were 22 large spots that was down to metal or turned to rust now.

Filed Aug 14, 2006 · PA

Consumer would like information for recalls regarding 1996 chevrolet corsica. *kb

Filed Aug 11, 2004 · Body · KY

The paint is peeling off on my car. These spots are not small, but huge spots that have bubbled and come off for no apparent reason. I would like to know if there has been a recall on this since it appears to be a serious manufacturer defeat. Please contact me as soon as possible.

Filed May 4, 2004 · Brakes · LA · crash

(1) for over a year now my anti-lock brakes on 1998 chevrolet corsica have failed to stop the vehicle in rainy wet conditions. I cannot drive the vehicle when rainy or wet. The brakes catch and release repeatedly eventually causing the car to slide (this even happens when driving 10 MPH). After the first 15 stops it will eventually begin to stop without doing this. But in the case of the accident I had been driving for 30 minutes and the car failed to stop. (2) I was driving 20 MPH with 3-4 car lengths between myself and car in front of me. The brakes did not stop in time. I hit the vehicle in front of me. (3) I have taken the vehicle to the chevrolet dealer on 3 occassions for this problem. They keep telling me that there is nothing wrong with the brakes. They say that they are supposed to do that. If that were the case, we would all be dead. The first 3 years that I had the vehicle it did not do this, so obviously this is not what it is supposed to do. I even had the dealership sign a paper stating that he could not do anything to correct this problem, so that I will have when I do have to handle this in a legal manner. After driving the vehicle and experiencing the brake failure, my mechanic said that the brakes are dangerous but that he cannot find anything wrong with them when he takes them apart. Therefore he cannot fix it.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Visibility · KY

My main concern is the paint and the airconditioning. The paint began to peel right after I bought it and I was not aware of a recall and couldn't afford to have it repainted. It looks like it has a disease. The air conditioning quit last summer and I have a heart condition. I had to have a bag of ice with me all the time to stay cool, because, again I did not have the finances to get it fixed. The power locks and my horn just quit working and the fuse is impossible to find, so I'm really just hoping someone can tell me how to change that. I can't find it and I have a corsica auto book from auto zone. I appreciate any help you can give. I would really like to get my car repainted. I think I should be entitled to the recall.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Body, Engine · TX

We have had several problems with this car, including the heating and electical systems(alternator, radio, etc.)and the transmission. The main one at this point is the peeling paint. The car is a very nice medium blue, but it looks terrible due to the spots of gray where the paint just bubbled up and flaked off, very much like it got a sunburn. I took the car to the dealer in october 2000 for some work on the alignment and asked to have researched whether there was a policy on fixing the paint, which had already begun peeling off. He told me he would look into it and took the VIN number. About a week later, the transmission broke and I became absorbed in fixing that problem, so the paint problem became secondary. Since I never heard back from that dealer, I contacted another one and was told right off that there was no policy concerning my car, and suggested the paint was damaged by rain or bird droppings. The problem has continued to get worse. I have another blue chevy, a 1990 cavalier, which has been subjected to the same sun and rain as the corsica, and it has yet to flake its' paint. Now I hear that gm had a 6/5 year policy, but now that I have found out about it, my car is too old. I am very frustrated and am looking for help.

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Compare the 1996 Chevrolet Corsica

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Questions about the 1996 Chevrolet Corsica

Is the 1996 Chevrolet Corsica reliable?

Owners have filed 110 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Corsica, close to a typical Corsica model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Chevrolet Corsica?

Engine and cooling, with 33 complaints. Next is brakes (21).

How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Corsica have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Chevrolet Corsica have bad engine?

The Chevrolet Corsica model years with the most engine complaints are 1996 (33 complaints), 1995 (20 complaints) and 1993 (15 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Chevrolet Corsica get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Chevrolet Corsica range from 21 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21 city and 29 highway.

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