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1990 Chevrolet Corvette
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 29.
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 34 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read 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 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
2 reportsA PROBLEM INHERENT TO ALL 1990 CORVETTES IS CORROSION OF THE AREA WHERE THE AIRBAG SENSORS ARE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME UNDER THE HOOD. THIS CAUSES A GROUNDING PROBLEM AND THE CONSTANT DISPLAY OF THE "INFL REST" WARNING LIGHT. IT ALSO DEACTIVATES THE AIRBAG. EVERYTHING I READ SAYS IT'S DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. WHY WOULD SUCH AN IM…
Read full complaint
A PROBLEM INHERENT TO ALL 1990 CORVETTES IS CORROSION OF THE AREA WHERE THE AIRBAG SENSORS ARE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME UNDER THE HOOD. THIS CAUSES A GROUNDING PROBLEM AND THE CONSTANT DISPLAY OF THE "INFL REST" WARNING LIGHT. IT ALSO DEACTIVATES THE AIRBAG. EVERYTHING I READ SAYS IT'S DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. WHY WOULD SUCH AN IMPORTANT PROBLEM LIKE THIS NOT RESULT IN A RECALL?
Official recalls
291V143000 · 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.
90V008000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jan 22, 1990
FUEL FEED AND RETURN LINE CONNECTORS HAVE INCORRECT LINE END FLARE CONFIGURATIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LINE ENDS COULD CRACK CAUSING A FUEL LEAK THAT COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW FUEL LINES WITH CORRECT END FLARE CONFIGURATION.
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
5DP96006 · 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.
DP92011 · Airbag Failed To Deploy
Opened May 22, 1992 · Closed Oct 29, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY
PE90040 · Parking Brake Failure
Opened Feb 6, 1990 · Closed Jun 11, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake
There is no summary currently available
PE90038 · Under Dash Fire
Opened Feb 2, 1990 · Closed May 7, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
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