1991 Chevrolet Corsica Problems
- Complaints
- 108filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Chevrolet Corsica (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Complaints from owners of this model year cluster around the steering column area, where smoke, shorting turn-signal wiring and failing headlight switches are described repeatedly, and around the air bag system, where reports include both unexpected deployment and failure to deploy. Steering effort that becomes hard and occasional stalling while braking or after highway driving also appear in the sample. Most sampled complaints do not include a mileage figure, so age rather than mileage is the more useful lens on this model year.
- Exterior lighting
Smoke and shorting in the steering column / turn signal
- 48 complaints (44%)
- typically at 4.5 yrs old
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2003
Owners describe smoke coming from the steering column, often while using the turn signals or with the flasher area, and some report the turn signal or dimmer switch feeling loose or failing to work afterward. Several say the headlights dim, go out, or cannot be switched between high and low beam when the steering wheel is turned or the lever is used. According to complaints, dealers replaced the turn signal switch in some cases, and at least one owner said the problem returned after the replacement. Reported across a wide range of ages and mileages; several complaints note the smoke appearing during normal driving, sometimes at highway speed.
What to check: Ask whether the turn signal / dimmer switch has ever been replaced, and test the high-beam lever, hazard flashers and turn signals while turning the wheel. Have a shop inspect the steering column wiring for chafing or burnt connectors.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Driving approximately 55mph and noticed smoke coming from the emergency flasher on top of the steering column, right turn signal would not work and then blinkers started blinking on and off without turning on. Parked vehicle and had it towed. Insurance felt that it was a mechanical problem and would not pay for it. Was told of investigation of flames in steering column by insurance co, and they would not pay because they felt it was a manufacturering defect.”
NHTSA complaint #813691, filed 1997-07“Owner states that lights and turning signal which also controls the high/low headlight beams and other lights failed. When lever is pulled headlights may go out completely, causing loss of lighting.”
NHTSA complaint #808203, filed 1997-03 - Air bags
Air bag deploys unexpectedly or fails to deploy
- 17 complaints (16%)
- typically at 6.5 yrs old
- 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2003
Complaints describe air bags deploying without an impact, in some cases startling the driver and contributing to a loss of control, and also describe bags that did not deploy in collisions the owners considered severe enough to warrant it. Several owners mention an air bag warning light that comes on intermittently, and one reports smoke at the steering wheel followed by the sensor light staying on. In most cases the vehicle was not available for inspection afterward, and complaints do not describe a consistent dealer diagnosis. Reported across a broad age range, with incidents noted both at low speed in parking-lot and neighborhood settings and at higher speeds on highways.
What to check: Watch the air bag warning light through a start-up and a short drive, and ask whether the air bag system, including the clockspring and sensors, has ever been serviced. On a vehicle this age, have a shop confirm the warning lamp behaves normally.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“1991 Corsica ignition will not turn back so I can get keys out of the ignition, I had my car worked on in a dealership 3 times and it cost me over $300.00, it is doing the same again and also in 2002 on a snowy road I went into a ditch and my air bag never came out.”
NHTSA complaint #10010886, filed 2003-03“Violent deployment of driver's air bag upon impact due to driver being incapacitated either unconscious or stuned. Vehicle landed up in steep ditch. Driver suffered abrasions to neck/face and upper thighs. Vehicle was totaled. Dup 817362, posted on 03-nov-98.”
NHTSA complaint #524198, filed 1998-02
Buying note. On a vehicle of this age, condition and service history matter more than the model's reputation; confirm the steering column switches, air bag warning light and power steering all behave properly on a test drive. Ask for records of any steering-related recall work and budget for inspection of the column wiring, since that area accounts for a large share of owner reports.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 33 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 108 consumer complaints for the 1991 Chevrolet Corsica. Of all complaints, 19 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 17 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Exterior lighting25 23%
- Electrical system23 21%
- Air bags20 19%
- Steering12 11%
- Body and structure10 9.3%
- Brakes7 6.5%
- Engine cooling3 2.8%
- Fuel system2 1.8%
Also reported: Seat belts (2), Tires (2), Equipment (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Exterior lighting: “There is a short in the steering column area which causes the low beams not to work, driver has to use the high beams when driving. Dealer has been contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #854903, filed 2000-01Air bags: “While driving, airbag inadvertently deployed, driver was temporarily knocked unconscious, when driver recovered vehicle was on opposite side of road and broadsided another moving vehicle, the first vehicle was totaled. Not available for inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #812279, filed 1997-05Steering: “I was told the some law states that my car can get painted with no cost to me because of the defect in the paint. Tons of corsicas have it happen all the time. My car is begining to look horrible with most of the paint pealed. No safety defect listed in summary.”
NHTSA complaint #717345, filed 2000-01Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1991 Chevrolet Corsica. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corsica · sedan | not rated | 5 / 3 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 Chevrolet Corsica version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corsica FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Corsica FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Corsica FWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Corsica FWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 91V083000Jun 10, 1991Steering › Steering wheel/handle barCovers: Chevrolet Corsica 1991, Beretta 1991
Nut attaching steering wheel may not have been properly tightened during installation.
Recall details for the 1991 Chevrolet Corsica → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE93009Fuel filter firesClosed · Feb 26, 1993
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1991 Chevrolet Corsica.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Corsica
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 110 | 95,000 | 0 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 102 | 119,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 123 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 100 | 156,427 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 125 | 15,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 108 | — | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 55 | 129,589 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 64 | 96,000 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 46 | — | 4 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Chevrolet Corsica model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Chevrolet Corsica?
Complaints from owners of this model year cluster around the steering column area, where smoke, shorting turn-signal wiring and failing headlight switches are described repeatedly, and around the air bag system, where reports include both unexpected deployment and failure to deploy. The issues reported most often: Smoke and shorting in the steering column / turn signal; Air bag deploys unexpectedly or fails to deploy.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 Chevrolet Corsica have?
NHTSA recorded 108 consumer complaints for the 1991 Chevrolet Corsica as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Chevrolet Corsica is reported most often?
Exterior lighting is named most often, in 25 complaints (23% of the total), followed by electrical system with 23.
Has the 1991 Chevrolet Corsica been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 Chevrolet Corsica get?
The EPA rates the 1991 Chevrolet Corsica (Corsica, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.