Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1987 Chevrolet Corsica: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1987 Chevrolet Corsica, most recently filed August 1991. Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (6)

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1987 Chevrolet Corsica. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1987 Chevrolet Corsica. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 91V135000 Filed Aug 19, 1991

STRUCTURE:HOOD ASSEMBLY

Structure · body · hood
Official NHTSA text
Summary
SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED AND COULD BECOME BENT. THIS WILL LEAD TO A CONDITION WHERE FULL PRIMARY LATCH ENGAGEMENT IS NOT ATTAINED.
Consequence
A BENT SECONDARY HOOD LATCH COULD LEAD TO THE PRIMARYLATCH NOT BEING FULLY ENGAGED, ALLOWING THE HOOD TO UNEXPECTEDLY OPEN. IF THISWERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE HOOD MAY CONTACT THEWINDSHIELD, REDUCING THE FORWARD VISION AREA OF THE DRIVER AND A VEHICLE CRASHCOULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy
REPLACE THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY, AND THE SUPPORT BRACKET.
Repair progress not yet reported290,408 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 91V135000
Listed for 1987 Chevrolet Corsica. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 89V225000 Filed Dec 18, 1989

STRUCTURE:DOOR ASSEMBLY:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Structure · body · door · hinge and attachments
Official NHTSA text
Summary
A DOOR HINGE (UPPER OR LOWER) MAY BREAK WHILE OPENING OR CLOSING THE DOOR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO REPOSITION AND CLOSE PROPERLY.
Consequence
HINGE SEPARATION MAY REDUCE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OFTHE SIDE OF THE CAR AND INCREASE RISK OF INJURY IN CERTAIN TYPES OF ACCIDENTS.
Remedy
REPLACE DOOR HINGES ON BOTH DOORS.
Repair progress not yet reported170,769 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 89V225000
Listed for 1987 Chevrolet Corsica. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 88V039000 Filed Mar 23, 1988

STRUCTURE:HOOD ASSEMBLY:LATCHES

Latches/locks/linkages · hood · latch
Official NHTSA text
Summary
SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ADJUSTED RESULTING IN LATCH BECOMING BENT.
Consequence
A BENT SECONDARY HOOD LATCH COULD CAUSE THE PRIMARYLATCH TO MALFUNCTION. IF THIS OCCURED THE HOOD COULD UNEXPECTEDLY OPEN. IFTHIS HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION REDUCTION OF FORWARD VISIBILITY COULDCAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy
INSPECT AND REPLACE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AS REQUIRED.
Repair progress not yet reported282,052 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 88V039000
Listed for 1987 Chevrolet Corsica. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 87V062000 Filed May 7, 1987

STRUCTURE:HOOD ASSEMBLY:LATCHES

Latches/locks/linkages · hood · latch
Official NHTSA text
Summary
LOSS OF SKID PLATE COULD LEAD TO DISENGAGEMENT OF BOTH SECONDARY AND PRIMARY HOOD LATCHES.
Consequence
HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTANTLY; IF VEHICLE WERE INMOTION, THE HOOD COULD CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD, REDUCE THE DRIVERS VISION AREA,AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy
INSTALL A SECONDARY LATCH SKID PLATE AND/OR SECONDARY LATCH SKID PLATE RETAINING SCREWS.
Repair progress not yet reported2,020 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 87V062000
Listed for 1987 Chevrolet Corsica. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 86V164000 Filed Dec 15, 1986

LIGHTING:SWITCH:BUTTON:RING:HEAD LIGHTS

Exterior lighting · headlights · switch
Official NHTSA text
Summary
PART OF PUSHBUTTON ATTACHMENT OF HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY FRACTURE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: PUSH BUTTON WOULD NOT LATCH IN ON POSITION RESULTING IN INABILITY TO TURN ON HEADLIGHTS, REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.
Remedy
INSTALL NEW HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
Repair progress not yet reported1,958 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 86V164000
Listed for 1987 Chevrolet Corsica. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 86V165000 Filed Dec 15, 1986

STRUCTURE:HOOD ASSEMBLY:LATCHES

Latches/locks/linkages · hood · latch
Official NHTSA text
Summary
SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE DUE TO CONTACT WITH SUPPORT BRACKET AND/OR THE PRIMARY LATCH RETURN SPRING. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THIS OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, HOOD COULD OPEN AND CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD, AFFECTING THE DRIVERS VISION AREA; THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy
INSTALL SECONDARY LATCH SKID PLATE ON CORSICA AND BERETTA MODELS. ALSO, INSTALL A REVISED SECONDARY LATCH ASSEMBLY ON BERETTA MODELS.
Repair progress not yet reported4,844 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 86V165000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (2)

2 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The structure is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1987 Chevrolet Corsica, by component (top 1). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 2.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1987 compares with other Corsica years

Best and worst Corsica years →
1987198819891990199119921993199419951996
This year (1987)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined

25
mpg combined
22
city
31
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,700
CO₂ tailpipe
356 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,612per year
$218per month
600gallons a year

Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1987 Chevrolet Corsica configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25$2,700356
2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24$2,800370
2.8 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20$3,350444
2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20$3,350444

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1987 Corsica for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Corsica years

Where to next

1987 Chevrolet Corsica FAQ

How many recalls does the 1987 Chevrolet Corsica have?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 91V135000 (structure), 89V225000 (structure), 88V039000 (latch), 87V062000 (latch), 86V164000 (lighting), 86V165000 (latch). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1987 Chevrolet Corsica problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Structure (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1987 Chevrolet Corsica get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 22 city, 31 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1987 Corsica compare with other years?

Among the 1987–1996 Chevrolet Corsica model years at least five years old, the 1987 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 1992 the most (125). The 1987 drew 2. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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