<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-07-20</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001072342</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DELPHI CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DPH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001189322</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RUNKLE DONALD L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>DELPHI CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>5725 DELPHI DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TROY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48098</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Retired Vice Chairman - Enterp</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-07-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2005-07-21</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>50702</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>5.13</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>210725</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-07-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2005-07-21</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6046</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>401(k) Plan</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes shares of restricted stock, which earn dividend equivalents in the form of additional shares as and when dividends are paid on the issuer's Common Stock and which are subject to vesting over time and forfeiture upon the occurence of certain events.  In accordance with the terms of Delphi's long-term compensation plan, previously granted awards of restricted stock (all of which have been previously reported) that have been outstanding for 12 months or longer, vest upon retirement.  On July 20th, the reporting person had shares withheld from the distribution of vested shares to satisfy withholding taxes.  Total holdings include shares of stock acquired as a result of all previously reported awards, dividend equivalents earned through the date of this report on such prior awards, and any other holdings of common stock held directly by the reporting person.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Not applicable.  No transaction has taken place.  See footnote No. 3.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Shares held in trust under Delphi Stock Savings Plan, State Street Bank as trustee, and vested in the Delphi Stock Fund, an investment option under the 401(k)  Plan.  Balance as of June 30, 2005, the date of the last quarterly statement.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Mr. Runkle ceased being an officer on January 12, 2005, and retired from the Company effective July 1, 2005.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Donald L. Runkle, by:  Logan G. Robinson, pursuant to Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-07-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
