VehicleVerdict

1980 Chevrolet Citation problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 1980 Chevrolet Citation — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 9 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

7

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1980 compare to other Citation years?

Citation NHTSA complaints by model year, 1980 highlighted10 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 7 complaints1981: 10 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 10 complaints1985: 0 complaints1988: 1 complaints
Citation NHTSA complaints by model year, 1980 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Citation years to avoid →

What are the most common 1980 Chevrolet Citation problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine229%
Visibility & Wipers229%
Brakes114%
Steering114%
Transmission114%

Does the 1980 Chevrolet Citation have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

83V018000BrakesFebruary 24, 1983 · 239,799 units

Defect

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE PREMATURE REAR WHEEL SKID DURING BRAKING. REAR WHEEL SKIDDING IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR ON A WET OR SLICK SURFACE.

Remedy

DEPENDING ON THE TRANSMISSION TYPE AND THE BRAKE COMPONENTS THAT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE OR REPAIR, AS NECESSARY, CERTAIN FRONT BRAKE COMPONENTS, AND THE PARKING BRAKE CABLES. THE REAR BRAKE SHOES AND LININGS WILL BE REPLACED WITH PARTS THAT USE A MATERIAL WHICH GREATLY REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF REAR WHEEL SKID. ACTIONS TAKEN TO THE FRONT BRAKES ARE TO ENSURE UNIFORMITY OF THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM. ACTIONS TAKEN TO THE PARKING BRAKE COMPONENTS WILL ENSURE THAT THE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS, FOR KEEPING THE VEHICLE STATIONARY WHILE MANUAL TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED UNITS ARE IN NEUTRAL AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED UNITS ARE IN PARK, ARE MET.

81V095000BrakesAugust 10, 1981 · 47,371 units

Defect

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE REAR BRAKES COULD LOCK UP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING DURING HIGH DECELERATION BRAKING. THE PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE PROPORTIONER VALVES IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE SYSTEM PROPORTIONER VALVES AND IF NECESSARY INSTALL NEW VALVES.

79V221000SteeringOctober 17, 1979 · 161,225 units

Defect

THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING PLATE ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS AT HIGH MILEAGE WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT TO BECOME LOOSE. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE CONSIDERABLE "FREE PLAY" IN THE STEERING WHEEL.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED TYPE OF STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

79V220000TransmissionSeptember 25, 1979 · 224,892 units

Defect

THE AUTOMATIC COOLER LINE HOSES ON SOME OF THE SUSPECT VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL VOIDS, WHICH COMBINED WITH A HIGH THERMAL EXPANSION AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES, COULD RESULT IN HOSE FAILURE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE COOLER LINE HOSES USING HOSES WITH KEVLAR BRAIDED REINFORCEMENT.

79V098000SuspensionApril 17, 1979 · 23,725 units

Defect

THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING MAY HAVE A LARGER THAN DESIRED INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE LOWER COIL WHERE IT RESTS ON THE SPRING SEAT. THIS COULD ALLOW THE SPRING TO BE FORCED OVER THE LOWER SPRING SEAT DUE TO SUSPENSION FORCES.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE INCORRECT FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WITHOUT CHARGE.

79V092000Body & StructureApril 5, 1979 · 10,751 units

Defect

THE LONGITUDINAL BODY BARS AT THE REAR CONTROL ARM LOCATION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED INTO THE STRUCTURE. SOME OF THESE BARS MAY HAVE BEEN PULLED DOWN FROM THE BODY DURING SHIPMENT WITH RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE OR FUEL LINES. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT MAY ALSO RESULT.

Remedy

LONGITUDINAL BODY BARS WILL BE WELDED AND BOLTED IN THE PROPER POSITION WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

79V091000Fuel SystemApril 5, 1979 · 4,626 units

Defect

FUEL HOSES MAY BE INCORRECTLY POSITIONED AND CONTACT THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVE AXLE BOOT DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE ROTATING BOOT COULD WEAR A HOLE IN THE FUEL HOSE, RESULTING IN FULE LEAKAGE.

Remedy

IF PROPER CLEARANCE IS NOT PRESENT, THE METAL FUEL PIPE WILL BE REFORMED UPWARDS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

79V090000BrakesApril 5, 1979 · 4,382 units

Defect

THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CLUTCH CONTROL CABLE AND BRAKE PIPE IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS CAN RESULT IN RUBBING CONTACT WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS OPERATED. ALSO, THE BRAKE PIPE CLEARANCE TO THE TRANSMISSION CASE MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE PIPE, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION.

Remedy

THE CLUTCH CABLE ROUTING WILL BE REVISED TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER, WITHOUT CHARGE.

79V073000SeatsMarch 22, 1979 · 35 units

Defect

VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "ANCHORAGE OF SEATS". THE LOCK BAR IN THE FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY AND THE ABILITY OF THE SEAT ADJUSTER TO MAINTAIN THE SEAT IN A LATCHED POSITION DURING AN ACCIDENT MAY BE REDUCED.

Remedy

BOTH FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

1980 Chevrolet Citation — common questions

Is the 1980 Chevrolet Citation reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 9 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1980 Chevrolet Citation have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1980 Chevrolet Citation. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1980 Chevrolet Citation under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 7 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.