← Back to Search

1980 Chevrolet Citation Base

The 1980 Chevrolet Citation Base is a 90-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $4,800 MSRP.

It makes 90 horsepower.

The Citation measures 176.7 inches long on a 104.9-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,436 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeHatchback
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$4,800 ($18,932 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.5L Iron Duke OHV I4 (LR8)
Displacement2.5 L
Horsepower90 hp
ValvetrainOHV, 8-valve
Bore and Stroke101.6 x 76.2 mm
Compression Ratio8.2
Injection Type2-bbl carburetor
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission4-speed Manual
Fuel Economy
Tank Capacity14 gal
Brakes
Front Brake DiscVented Discs, 9.72 in
Rear Brake DiscDrums
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front13 in x 5.5 in
Wheels Rear13 in x 5.5 in
Tires Front185/80 R13
Tires Rear185/80 R13
Dimensions & Weight
Length176.7 in
Width68.3 in
Height53.1 in
Wheelbase104.9 in
Front Track58.7 in
Rear Track57 in
Ground Clearance7.6 in
Cargo Volume20.1 ft³
Curb Weight2,436 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38.2 in
Headroom Rear37.5 in
Legroom Front42 in
Legroom Rear35.5 in
Shoulder Room Front56.2 in
Shoulder Room Rear56.3 in
Hip Room Front55.2 in
Hip Room Rear53.9 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

9 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1980 Chevrolet CITATION. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Feb 24, 1983 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

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.

NHTSA campaign 83V018000

Aug 10, 1981 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE

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.

NHTSA campaign 81V095000

Oct 17, 1979 · STEERING:RACK AND PINION

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.

NHTSA campaign 79V221000

Sep 25, 1979 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

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.

NHTSA campaign 79V220000

Apr 17, 1979 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

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.

NHTSA campaign 79V098000

Apr 5, 1979 · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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.

NHTSA campaign 79V092000

Apr 5, 1979 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

NHTSA campaign 79V091000

Apr 5, 1979 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

NHTSA campaign 79V090000

Mar 22, 1979 · SEATS

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.

NHTSA campaign 79V073000

1 owner complaint to NHTSA for the 1980 Chevrolet CITATION

Owner Complaints

1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA for the 1980 Chevrolet CITATION. See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Hydraulic1
Service Brakes1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 24, 1999 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
“BRAKES GRAB WHEN PAVEMENT IS DAMP CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWING INTO OTHER LANES OF TRAFFIC. MJS”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1980 CHEVROLET CITATION. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

← Back to Search