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Remembering The 25 Worst Chevrolet Cars Ever Made

Cameron Eittreim September 13, 2021

Chevrolet cars have always been the focal point of the GM brand’s portfolio. The brand was founded on November 3, 1911, in Detroit, Michigan. Chevrolet has sold many wildly successful cars and trucks over years, but there were also some huge blunders.

When seasoned drivers look back on the Vega, Chevette, or even the ‘the Dustbuster van,’ they know there was no shortage of questionable Chevrolet cars. We took a look back at the 25 worst Chevrolet cars GM ever made via The Motor Digest below. Warning, some of these Chevrolet cars and trucks may invoke some tragic memories for you.

25: Lumina APV

Car design is relative and every designer has different tastes. In the 1990s, the minivan was a brand-new concept for vehicle designers to tackle. Chrysler certainly did it right with the Caravan and Voyager. Ford missed the mark with the Aerostar, and well, GM had the Lumina APV. The van got the unfortunate tag of a “Dustbuster” from the start (via Car Gurus). Taking one look at the thing, can you blame them? GM tapped the designer for a futuristic van, like the Chrysler Cab Forward design theme.

Unfortunately, the Lumina APV was anything except cab forward. The van had hideous plastic body panels throughout the exterior of the van. The interior offered decent head and legroom, but at the sacrifice of style. Performance was not anything to sneeze at, but no one wanted to drive it. The Lumina was not a sales success in any stretch. GM would redesign the van in 1997 as the Venture.

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24: Chevrolet Cavalier

The hardest thing for GM was to move away from grandiose, V8-powered cars. The 1982 Chevrolet Cavalier was the first step in this direction. The minuscule compact car was designed with the idea of cheap transportation (via Hemmings). Unfortunately, what buyers got was cheap indeed. The 1982 Cavalier was indeed a small car, a stark departure from traditional GM design.

Interior pieces were also cheaply made, and the car rattled like a soda can. Surprisingly enough, the Cavalier would become one of the best-selling Chevy models of all-time. That doesn’t mean the car was a success though. Insufficient quality hurt Chevrolet’s reputation in the compact segment.

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23: Chevrolet Corvair

Chevrolet Corvair via Motor Trend — Photo Credit: Motor Trend

GM sought out a new segment in 1960 dubbed “Thrift” cars, vehicles that would be more affordable than the average car. Instead of having to purchase a used car, a consumer could get a new one. It was a terrific idea if it was executed properly, yet it was not. The Corvair is one of the worst Chevy models of all-time (via Gold Eagle). It ‘featured’ a paltry Turbo Air six engine with 80 hp and a three-speed manual.

It was also from around the time cars were made of steel. The critics labeled the Corvair unsafe, a mark it never recovered from. Insufficient performance in the Corvair marked a departure from traditional Chevy engineering. The interior also marked a decline in quality for Chevy, something customers weren’t forgiving of.

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22: Chevrolet Camaro Berlinetta

1986 Chevrolet Camaro Berlinetta via GM — Photo Credit: GM

The third-generation Camaro redefined pony car design for the 1980s. The Camaro marked a new style that would resonate with a new generation of buyers. Then the Berlinetta hit the market, a luxury version of the Camaro (via LS1 Tech). General Motors sought to appeal to upmarket car shoppers, and they thought a luxury Camaro was the way. The Berlinetta featured an unusual dashboard and interior.

GM focused the Berlinetta on the female car shopper, dubbed the “secretary’s car” by car critics. From a performance perspective, extra weight weighed down the Berlinetta and a lackluster engine choice. A luxury minded Camaro might not be the best choice when it comes to a performance car. GM wanted the Berlinetta to compete with the BMW 3-Series, but that didn’t happen.

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21: Chevrolet Monza

When the fuel embargo of the 1970s hit, consumer appetite for high-performance gas guzzlers depleted overnight. GM had to act quickly to bring new fuel efficient car models to the market. The Monza design was based on the Vega, and the resemblance is uncanny. The Camaro of the time influenced the rear taillights (via EP Auto). The 2+2 design was smart in theory, but the rear passenger leg room is non-existent. Cargo space was nonexistent in the Monza even though it had a hatchback.

Critics universally pan the Monza whenever a history of Chevrolet cars is brought up. There were other awful cars from this era including the Ford Pinto, but the Monza took the top prize. GM would spend decades trying to perfect the compact car, only to exit the passenger car market in the 2020s.

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20: Chevrolet Citation

With a nameplate like the Citation, it’s a wonder that this nameplate failed. In a mad dash to bring compact cars to the market, GM brought consumers the Citation. It was a four-door hatchback reminiscent of similar Japanese models. Unfortunately, it didn’t feature the precision Japanese engineering or reliability (via Ebay Motors). The Citation had notoriously poor build quality from the interior outward.

Interior rattling and broken knobs and dials were not uncommon. Performance-wise, the Citation had lethargic acceleration. The handling also lacked any type of feedback or response. A rough ride made things worse, and exterior noise was at an all-time high. All in all, the Citation was about the cheapest and lowest quality Chevrolet compact you could get.

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19: 1978 Chevrolet C/K Diesel

Today, the GM diesel is one of the most popular pickup truck engines. But back in the ’70s, it was a different story. With all the fuel and emission regulations, the diesel engine in the 1978 model was a travesty (via Diesel Place). The main problem was the reliability of the engine. Consumers generally use large pickup trucks for farm work, but the C/K diesel was constantly in the shop.

The anemic performance only clouded things even further. GM would eventually go to Duramax for their diesel engines, but not before years of unreliable designs had already failed. The C/K redefined styling with a boxy modern style. The ride quality and interior comfort were also at the top of the class. But none of that matters if the truck is not reliable.

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18: Chevrolet Venture

Who could forget the Chevy Venture? Probably everyone, unless you grew up with a Venture in your family. The Venture and its corporate cousin, the Trans Sport, got the worst IIHS crash test in history (via Money Inc.). With the lackluster crash test in tow, the Venture went on until 2004, when the Chevy Uplander replaced it. There was nothing remotely reliable about the Venture, which is why the Caravan outpaced it in sales.

Chevrolet never had good luck marketing a successful minivan. The Venture did have a unique package called the “WB” edition. The trim line was designed in partnership with Warner Brothers and had a leather interior and DVD video player. A DVD player isn’t enough to sell minivans, and the Venture was a dramatic flop.

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17: Chevrolet Monte Carlo Z34

Dubbed the “Lumina Coupe”, the 1990s version of the Monte Carlo was less than breathtaking. The first change for the car was a lack of a V8 engine choice. The second change was basically a Lumina coupe. Buyers responded with mixed emotions to the car. While sales were decent, it was nothing jaw-dropping. Reliability was a large problem with this generation of the Monte Carlo (via Repair Pal).

Interior quality also fell short on this generation of the GM sedan. The interior was panned for bland styling, and the over-cushioned seats were strange for a two-door coupe. Even in the Z34 trim, there was no denying what the Monte Carlo was. Many buyers were turned off and went for alternative models as a result.

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16: Chevrolet Tahoe 6.5L Diesel

In the 1990s, the Tahoe with the 6.5L diesel engine was a dream for many Chevrolet enthusiasts. The problem came with reliability, which was noticeably absent. The 6.5L diesel is well-documented for having many design flaws, from cracked heads to worse (via 6.5TurboGarage). Apart from its diesel reliability issues, this generation of the Tahoe had several flaws in general.

Interior quality in all GM trucks from the 1990s was lackluster at best. Door handles cracked and button fading is even more common. You’ll also run into problems like leather seats cracking along the sides. GM made millions by selling these trucks, but the interior quality and engine reliability would never lend you to believe that. For many Chevy fans, having a Tahoe with a diesel engine may have been a dream, but this generation is a nightmare.

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15: Chevrolet Vega

Ford had a disastrous time selling the Pinto, and across the way, GM had exactly as incapable of a time with the Vega. Interior quality for the Vega was awful. But aside from that, there was worse (via Macs Motor). The reliability of the Vega was almost laughable. These things would break down a ton and repairs were problematic. Gas mileage was the mission of the Vega, in exchange for lackluster performance.

The Vega is also prone to frame and body rust, a problem many cars from the same era faced. Vega owners looking for cheap transportation got more than they could chew with this lemon. Sales of the Vega were poor, and the car was eventually replaced by a new model. Chevy suffered from many terrible car designs in the years that ensued. The brand never did get the compact car all the way right, unlike how its foreign rivals did.

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14: Chevrolet Chevette

No, the Chevette isn’t a Corvette. The Chevette was another attempt at a profitable small car from GM. The end result is it was lacking in many of the same areas as the Vega. Interior quality was below normal expectations for a new car (via The Truth About Cars). Drivers often reported dials falling off, rattling, and worse. When you buy a new car, you don’t expect to put up with these kinds of issues.

Then you had the lethargic performance of the Chevette. The car didn’t live up to expectations. Drivers were looking for some type of performance, at least being able to merge onto the highway. The Chevette let drivers down in almost every area of its design. Looking back on the Chevette, it’s hard to imagine where GM went with this car.

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13: Chevrolet SSR

Enthusiasts have hoped for a revival of the El Camino for decades. Chevrolet teased a revival with the SSR, which had a similar design. Sadly, the SSR’s production model fell short in many areas. The styling, while like the El Camino, was a far cry from the car of the past. The truck bed on the SSR was almost worthless due to its bed cover (via The Truth About Cars). Then the styling with the bubble front clip looked like a roadster lost.

We’re not sure what GM was going for with the styling of the SSR. Its performance was alright thanks to the V8 powerplant, but from a practicality standpoint, the SSR fell short. Maybe something with a Camaro-themed styling might have proved to be a more popular option. GM had many weird designs coming out around the same time as the SSR. Most enthusiasts took a pass on the SSR, especially with its high price tag.

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12: Chevrolet Camaro Iron Duke

Another Camaro to grace this list is the Iron Duke. What exactly was the Iron Duke you might ask? Well, after the fuel prices had gone through the roof, GM decided to sell a Camaro with a four-cylinder engine (via Auto Blog). By today’s standards, that isn’t a bad thing but in the 1980s it was unheard of. The Iron Duke did horribly, not only because buyers didn’t want it, but also because of a lack of power and reliability.

2d1c4d8035eb222a791090e3e5d468ae — Photo Credit: Mecum

The Iron Duke was dubbed one of the worst Chevrolet engines of all time. Then you throw it in a legendary car like the Camaro and the reputation was tarnished. Ford had their own fair share of problems with four-cylinder power. But the Iron Duke was a downright awful choice to put inside of a pony car like the Camaro.

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11: Chevrolet Nova (Corolla)

GM and Chrysler were both friendly with Japanese automakers in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Chrysler had a partnership with Mitsubishi, dubbed Diamond Star Motors, and GM had a relationship with Suzuki and Toyota (via Car Bibles). The Toyota partnership produced an unusually small car called the Nova. Taking the nameplate from the Nova of the past, GM brought us their own version of the Corolla.

The car was criticized for defecating on a legendary name like the Nova. Although it was the usual high-quality Toyota product, critics still panned the small car. Instead of keeping the excellent Toyota radio deck, GM swapped it with a Delco unit. On top of that, the service department at GM was not as keen on repairing the Nova as an actual Toyota dealership.

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10: 1975-1980 Chevrolet Corvette

American automakers were having a tough time adjusting to new emissions regulations in the late ’70s. The Corvette, once a focal point of performance, suffered from these unfortunate changes (via Edmunds). For five years, the Corvette felt like it was being choked out. The 5.7-liter small-block V8 made a measly 250 hp. That was small potatoes compared to other sports cars at the time or even previous Corvette models.

It ultimately took several years for the brand to recover from these changes. As it stands, the 1975-80 models are some of drivers’ least favorite. Insufficient performance is a real turnoff for most potential buyers. Even restoration can be expensive, and adding a modern engine will be even more.

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9: 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

After a decade of selling a less-than-satisfactory Monte Carlo, Chevy introduced a V8 model again. A slight redesign of the 2000-05 model, the newly-minted Monte Carlo was ready to play with the big boys (via Top Speed). Unfortunately, this was during a transitional period for GM,as well as the impending recession.

The Monte Carlo was lacking in the style department with a soft-looking front fascia shared with the Impala. There was a noticeably absent manual transmission option. The V8 engine itself was seemingly powerful enough for daily driving, but nothing sensational. GM missed the mark with the final generation of the Monte Carlo. The car could have been something special, but instead was lacking in many departments.

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8: Chevy Beretta

GM did much research and development in the 1990s as it sought to replace the Camaro. The Beretta was the car the company launched to do this (via Best Ride). They even went as far as using the Beretta as the platform for NASCAR racing. But the Beretta didn’t exactly enlighten consumers. The car lacked any of unique styling and performance was subpar at best.

There was the fact that the Beretta shared much of its underpinnings with cheaper GM cars at the time. The celebrity and Corsica come to mind when you think of the Beretta. There was nothing remotely special about the Beretta, and it was quickly shelved. The Camaro lived on until the 2002 model year when it was discontinued, only to return in 2010.

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7: Chevy Corsica

The Corsica is the most basic car ever made. During the later part of the 1990s, you’d see the Corsica at every car rental place there was. The quality was lacking in almost every department (via Motor Biscuit). The Corsica drove like a soda can on wheels, with rattling parts both inside and out. Reliability was uncertain at best, with all sorts of repairs commonplace.

The Corsica was also one of the cheapest new cars sold in America. However, the cheap price only unfolded into many problems for new owners. When a cheap, unreliable car comes to mind, the Corsica is probably at the top. Chevy had a few duds in the 1990s, and the Corsica was one of them.

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6: HHR SS Panel Van

Taking a look at this minuscule monstrosity makes you realize why GM went into bankruptcy in the first place. What an odd and useless car the HHR SS panel van was (via Motor Biscuit). It’s almost like a rogue designer got loose with the authority to authorize a project. The HHR itself was the PT Cruiser a full eight years too late. Couple that with the obscure and useless design of a miniature panel van, and you have what we have here.

The HHR SS Panel Van didn’t offer anything sensational in terms of performance. Why GM would even put it on the market is beyond us. Car shoppers around this time were more concerned with fuel economy than a unique panel van. Had the HHR hit the market an entire decade before, GM might have had a hit on their hands.

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5: Chevrolet Caprice (2010-2017)

If there is one nameplate consumers yearn to revive, it’s the Caprice. Chevy’s full-size sedan offering had a loyal following. The Caprice PPV that hit the market in 2010 was not sold directly to consumers (via Auto Trader). The captive import from Australia was sold to police departments, and the car was based on the Pontiac G8.

The styling was lackluster and performance wasn’t breathtaking like enthusiasts had hoped for. Chevy sort of threw the Caprice nameplate in the wind with this generation. The former Caprice model used to have personality, the new one didn’t have any. In fact, it had that “generic” Chevy feeling that the brand had in the 2000s. Sadly, the Caprice was not the hit that GM had hoped for, and it was phased out with the Chevy SS in 2017.

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4: Chevy Aveo

After the Chevy Metro was phased out in 2001, the brand needed a subcompact car. The Aveo was brought into the mix and was based on a Daewoo model. The car advertised having a stellar interior room in a small package (via The Truth About Cars). That wasn’t entirely true, and the Aveo didn’t sell in the numbers the brand had hoped for. Reliability was questionable, as were initial safety ratings for the small car.

The Aveo would stay in existence for a while, ultimately being phased out with the Sonic. But when it comes to forgettable compact cars, the Aveo was about as forgettable as you can think of. There were much better models, including the Honda Fit. Chevrolet has since abandoned the compact car segment altogether as GM moves toward crossover vehicles.

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3: Chevy Volt

Elon Musk sprang new life into the electric car segment when Tesla became more successful than any other electric automaker. Naturally, GM was passed up due to incompetence when the company abandoned the EV1. The Volt was an attempt to take Tesla’s market share (via Shift). Sadly, car shoppers didn’t resonate with the bubble-shaped Chevy model. Ultimately, there’s more to an electric car than simply being electric.

Chevy missed the memo when it came to styling and versatility. The fact that the Volt was partly gas-powered meant you still had to deal with the maintenance issues of gas-powered cars. The Volt was a costly failure for General Motors and the Chevrolet brand. Now, GM is working on new and more advanced electric car technology.

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2: Chevy Silverado Hybrid

The folks at GM needed a way to sell more trucks, but customers were getting frustrated with the gas mileage. The Silverado Hybrid came along to change things up a bit. Unfortunately, the hybrid drivetrain used in the truck didn’t improve the mileage all that much (via (GM Authority). The Silverado Hybrid didn’t get much better gas mileage than the ordinary model. That meant buyers paid a premium for some hybrid badging, and that’s about it.

The Silverado Hybrid didn’t last long before it was phased out altogether. Consumers were not buying the quickly thrown together hybrid product. The Silverado Hybrid was not the dream truck many environmentalists had hoped for. You will seldom see a Silverado Hybrid on the road today. The awkward truck model didn’t sell well, and consumers weren’t sold on it.

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1: Chevy Tahoe Hybrid

Another failed attempt at a supersized hybrid was the Tahoe Hybrid. The Tahoe Hybrid hit the market in the midst of the economic recession of 2008. Consumers weren’t looking for gas-guzzling vehicles anymore, and it put a dent in GM’s business (via Car and Driver). The company had to act quickly, and thus the Tahoe Hybrid hit the market. Aside from the abundance of Hybrid badging, there wasn’t a ton of actual improvement.

The gas mileage was not that much better than the regular Tahoe. But the cost was thousands more, and the truck was limited. The body kits and insufficient off-road capability limited the Tahoe Hybrid to pavement duty. Sales numbers for the Tahoe Hybrid were lackluster at best, and the SUV was ultimately a failure.

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Remembering The 25 Worst Chevrolet Cars Ever Made

25: Lumina APV

24: Chevrolet Cavalier

23: Chevrolet Corvair

22: Chevrolet Camaro Berlinetta

21: Chevrolet Monza

20: Chevrolet Citation

19: 1978 Chevrolet C/K Diesel

18: Chevrolet Venture

17: Chevrolet Monte Carlo Z34

16: Chevrolet Tahoe 6.5L Diesel

15: Chevrolet Vega

14: Chevrolet Chevette

13: Chevrolet SSR

12: Chevrolet Camaro Iron Duke

11: Chevrolet Nova (Corolla)

10: 1975-1980 Chevrolet Corvette

9: 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

8: Chevy Beretta

7: Chevy Corsica

6: HHR SS Panel Van

5: Chevrolet Caprice (2010-2017)

4: Chevy Aveo

3: Chevy Volt

2: Chevy Silverado Hybrid

1: Chevy Tahoe Hybrid

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