DT: CONTACT STATES THERE WAS A MELT DOWN IN THE FUEL CELL. THERE IS A SWITCH THAT COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED BY THE LOCAL SERVICE DEALER. *AK
1988 Chevrolet Corvette
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Corvette years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 6 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Seat Belts. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
16 reportsPROBLEMS WITH OIL LEAKS, DRIVER SEAT WAS BROKEN AND ELECTRIC ANTENNA STOPPED WORKING.*MR THREE WEEKS AFTER HAVING PURCHASED THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AS WELL. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY $2500.00 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALERSHIP DENIED HIM OF A WARRANTY AFTER BEING PROMISED ONE. THE CONSUMER STATED NO ONE INFORMED HIM…
Read full complaint
PROBLEMS WITH OIL LEAKS, DRIVER SEAT WAS BROKEN AND ELECTRIC ANTENNA STOPPED WORKING.*MR THREE WEEKS AFTER HAVING PURCHASED THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AS WELL. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY $2500.00 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALERSHIP DENIED HIM OF A WARRANTY AFTER BEING PROMISED ONE. THE CONSUMER STATED NO ONE INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED BRAKES, A NEW CLUTCH, VALVE COVERS, GASKETS, INTAKE GASKETS AND TRANSMISSION SEALS. *CB *JB
THE PLUG ON THE HEAD LIGHT COVER THAT HIDES THE AJUSTMENT SCREW KEPT FALLING OUT. *MJS
NO SUMMARY
ALTERNATOR FAILED REPEATEDLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL/LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. ALSO, ABS BRAKES FAILED. *AK
POWER SEAT FAILURE, OVERHEATING AND CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORT DUE A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE SEAT. *AK
Official recalls
391V143000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Sep 4, 1991
UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATIONS AND OCCUPANT USAGE CONDITIONS, THE SAFETY BELTS CAN LOCKUP OR JAM IN THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF LOCKUP OCCURS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL BELT OUT OFTHE RETRACTOR. THE OCCUPANT OF A SEAT WITH AN UNUSABLE SAFETY BELT ISSUBJECT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE LOCKUP OCCURS.
90V032000 · Suspension:rear:springs:leaf Spring Assembly
Feb 12, 1990
REAR WHEEL TIE ROD ASSEMBLY MAY FATIGUE AND COULD FRACTURE AT THE INBOARD BEARING DUE TO HIGH INNER JOINT ROCKING TORQUE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FRACTURE IN THIS ASSEMBLY COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE FAULTY TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES.
88V017000 · Wheels:hubcap/cover
Feb 9, 1988
MISSING WELD THAT ATTACHES WHEEL CENTER TO THE RIM COULD ALLOW WHEEL CENTER TO SEPARATE FROM THE RIM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN PARTIAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROLAND BRAKES, LOSS OF TIRE AIR PRESSURE, AND SUDDEN CHANGE IN VEHICLE DIRECTION,WHICH COULD RESULT IN CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE WHEELS WITH MISSING WELDS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3DP96006 · Brake Pull
Opened May 14, 1996 · Closed Oct 18, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE PETITIONS STATED THAT:WE REPRESENT THE OWNER OF A 1990 CHEVROLET CORVETTE WHICH, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, SUDDENTLY, VIOLENTLY, AND UNEXPECTEDLY PULLS TO THE LEFT.THIS IS A INTERMITTENT DEFECT WHICH DOES NOT OCCUR WITH AN REGULARITY.
EA92005 · Throttle Sticking
Opened Jan 30, 1992 · Closed Jan 29, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE90032 · Tie Rod Socket Failure
Opened Jan 12, 1990 · Closed Mar 22, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Illustration