IllustrationDT: 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.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →16Owner complaints
Model-year median: 29
3Recall campaignsView recall details →
3InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1988 Chevrolet Corvette
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 16 owner complaints · 3 recall campaigns · 3 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Seat Belts: 8 reports
- Electrical System: 4 reports
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3 reports
- Equipment: 2 reports
- Power Train: 2 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
- 91V143000 — Seat Belts:front:anchorage
- 90V032000 — Suspension:rear:springs:leaf Spring Assembly
- 88V017000 — Wheels:hubcap/cover
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Corvette years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure 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.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
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
Recall campaigns
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 ↗
Defect 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
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.