Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
17.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
17.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
642.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
535.7%
150,000+ miles
17.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 1996peak 3Oct 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP96006Opened 14 May 1996Closed 18 Oct 1996SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE PULL
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.
EA92005Opened 30 Jan 1992Closed 29 Jan 1993VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
THROTTLE STICKING
EA90033Opened 11 Jun 1990Closed 9 Sep 1991SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR FAIL
PE90041Opened 8 Feb 1990Closed 11 Jun 1990SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR FAIL
PE90032Opened 12 Jan 1990Closed 22 Mar 1990SUSPENSION
TIE ROD SOCKET FAILURE
Recalls on the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
07E088000
EQUIPMENT
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
06E043000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
91V143000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATIONS AND OCCUPANT USAGE CONDITIONS, THE SAFETY BELTS CAN LOCKUP OR JAM IN THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.
Risk: 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199112610,758 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
NOTE: OWNER SELF INSPECTION - REPAIR ONLY IF PROBLEM OCCURS. THE SEAT BELT MAY LOCK-UP OR JAM IN THE RETRACTOR. IF THIS OCCURS, VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WILL BE UNABLE TO USE THE SEAT BELT. THUS, IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, UNBELTED OCCUPANTS WILL BE MORE AT RISK OF INJURY. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND ANY RETRACTOR SIDE BELTS LOCKING UP OR JAMMED WILL BE REPLACED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Saratoga Springs, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR A 1/2 AN HOUR. CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FORM FRONT HOOD. PARTS WERE TAKEN TO BE INVESTIGATED. DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #861411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 175,000 milesEdmonds, WA
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS INOPERABLE AND WOULD NOT PULL OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. SEAVIEW BUICK GMC (17909 HWY 99, LYNNWOOD, WA 98037, (425) 742-1920) WAS CONTACTED, BUT COULD NOT CHECK FOR RECALLS BECAUSE THE VIN COULD NOT BE LOOKED UP IN THEIR SYSTEM. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 91V143000 (SEAT BELTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE SAME INFORMATION AS THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000.
NHTSA complaint #11266987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesLake City, FL
SEATS
BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SEATBELTS ARE JAMMED AN UNUSEABLE. REAR SUSPENSION, BEARING MAKING NOISES. SEAT CONTROLS DRIVERS SIDE INOPERABLE
NHTSA complaint #11155384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesLake City, FL
SEAT BELTS
BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SEATBELTS ARE JAMMED AN UNUSEABLE. REAR SUSPENSION, BEARING MAKING NOISES. SEAT CONTROLS DRIVERS SIDE INOPERABLE
NHTSA complaint #11155384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesLake City, FL
SUSPENSION
BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SEATBELTS ARE JAMMED AN UNUSEABLE. REAR SUSPENSION, BEARING MAKING NOISES. SEAT CONTROLS DRIVERS SIDE INOPERABLE
NHTSA complaint #11155384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesCollingswood, NJ
SEAT BELTS
GM WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL FOR TWO (2) RECALLS - 91C25 & 91C26 SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS THAT ARE JAMMED.
NHTSA complaint #10970111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80 milesNewton Falls, OH
SEAT BELTS
I HAD ABOUT A 2 HOUR DRIVE AND WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE CAR THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED UP AND WOULD NOT RELEASE I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE TILL I FOUND A 12 IN SCREWDRIVER TO PRY THE SEATBELT TENSIONER APART TO RELEASE THE BELT IT AN OLDER CAR AND THINGS HAPPEN BUT THAT IS JUST AS DANGEROUS AS NOT HAVING A SEAT BELT ON I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT I CAN'T FIND IF THERE IS AN END DATE .IF IF I CAN GET REPLACEMENTS I WILL REPLACE BOTH RED SEAT BELTS. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE HOWEVER THE REAL PROBLEM AT THE TIME WAS WHEN I STOPPED AND TRIED TO EXIT THE CAR WHEN THE BELT GOT TIGHTER(NO PHONE ,NO KNIFE JUST A 12 IN SCREWDRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #10870238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesCorpus Christi, TX
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURES AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 091V14300 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR AND COULD NOT BE UNFASTENED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #10661162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 143,000 milesSacraments, CA
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE SEAT BELT ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
NHTSA complaint #10560795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,332 milesSpringhill, FL
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 CHEVROLET CORVETTE KIT Z52. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS FAILED TO OPEN ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 91V143000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE) THAT MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,332 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,342. UPDATED 9/26/12 *CN UPDATED 09/27/12
NHTSA complaint #10475061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,332 milesSpringhill, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 CHEVROLET CORVETTE KIT Z52. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS FAILED TO OPEN ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 91V143000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE) THAT MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,332 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,342. UPDATED 9/26/12 *CN UPDATED 09/27/12
NHTSA complaint #10475061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Goldendale, WA
SEAT BELTS
THE SEAT BELTS DON`T RETRACT PROPERLY WHEN LATCHED,SO THEY ARE LOOSE AND HAVE NO TENSION TO THEM,THEY STAY TIGHT ACROSS THE WAIST,BUT NOT ACROSS THE CHEST.
NHTSA complaint #10423827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesWilmer, AL
SEAT BELTS
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED CAR THAT HAS A SEAT BELT SAFETY RECALL THAT HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED..CHEVROLET IS TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE BELTS/RETRACTORS REPLACED AT MY COST . THEY SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE THE INFORMATION THROUGH THE VIN NUMBER OF MY CAR OF WHETHER IT HAS BEEN DONE OR NOT... MY BELTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF CAR IS IN PRISON SO WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. HIS PROPERTY WAS SEIZED AND SOLD AT AUCTION. THEY SAY DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE CAR THEY CANNOT TELL. MY OTHER TWO CARS HAD RECALLS THAT WERE ALMOST 20 YEARS OLD PERFORMED ON THEM AT NO COST TO ME. RECALL # IS NHTSA91V143000 . WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
NHTSA complaint #10266694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesWilmer, AL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED CAR THAT HAS A SEAT BELT SAFETY RECALL THAT HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED..CHEVROLET IS TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE BELTS/RETRACTORS REPLACED AT MY COST . THEY SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE THE INFORMATION THROUGH THE VIN NUMBER OF MY CAR OF WHETHER IT HAS BEEN DONE OR NOT... MY BELTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF CAR IS IN PRISON SO WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. HIS PROPERTY WAS SEIZED AND SOLD AT AUCTION. THEY SAY DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE CAR THEY CANNOT TELL. MY OTHER TWO CARS HAD RECALLS THAT WERE ALMOST 20 YEARS OLD PERFORMED ON THEM AT NO COST TO ME. RECALL # IS NHTSA91V143000 . WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
NHTSA complaint #10266694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,376 milesKemp, TX
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT HAS BECOME LOCKED IN THE RETRACTOR AND WILL NOT RELEASE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED BEFORE, BUT THE SEAT BELT RELEASED ITSELF. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 124,376.
NHTSA complaint #10197446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesSeminole, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THERE IS A RECALL ON MY 1987 CORVETTE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ARE BROKEN I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER I CONTACTED CHEVROLET THEY TOLD ME THE CAR IS TO OLD IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE WAS NO TIME LIMIT ON THEM FIXING THEM THE CAR ONLY HAS 63,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10155393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE BEGAN TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE WHEN WAS LOW MOTION, CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY HAD TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER WE NEVER HEARD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS ONE, CALL NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #10087712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westminster, MD
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
FRONT STEERING LOCKS UP . AFTER CAR WARMS UP IT'S FINE ..I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON LATER MODLE YEAR CORVETTE . SAME PROBLEM FOR ALL 1987'S I HAVE LOOK AT . THEY GM NEEDS TO RECALL ALL 1987 CORVETTE AND FIX THIS STEERING PROBLEM .
NHTSA complaint #10007942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saratoga Springs, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR A 1/2 AN HOUR. CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FORM FRONT HOOD. PARTS WERE TAKEN TO BE INVESTIGATED. DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #861411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chelmsford, MA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE STEERING RACK AND PINION HAS FAILED IN MY 1987 CORVETTE. THE CONDITION IS PREVALENT IN ALL 1984 TO 1991 CORVETTES. THE PROBLEM IS REFERRED TO AS GM "MORNING SICKNESS". THE PROBLEM CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL IN THE VEHICAL. GM CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE STEERING RACK (REPLACED HARD SEALS) FOR MODEL YEAR 1992 DUE TO NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #716627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sobieski, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
INTERMITTENT NO-START PROBLEM. DEFECTIVE IGNITION PARTS INSTALLED AT FACTORY PER CHEVROLET BULLETIN 88-292-8A. CHEVROLET CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO COVER REPLACEMENT OF PARTS PER BULLETIN. FEE PAID TO GM FOR WARRATY TRANSFER AND EXTENSION TO 60,000 MILES. 25,000 MILES NOW ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #716087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Moscow, PA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE FRONT SEATBELT BUCKLES LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT COME UNDONE. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON RECALL 91V143000 DUE TO VIN #.
NHTSA complaint #839423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #526349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Foundland, PA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
THE FRONT FIBERGLASS LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY CRACKED DUE TO DETERIORATION.
NHTSA complaint #803475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fallbrook, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELTS LOCK UP/JAM, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS UNLESS SEATBELT FAILURE IS DUPLICATED.
NHTSA complaint #507576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Putnam Valley, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE IGNITION KEY IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC AND THE COMPUTER IS NOT READING THE KEY.
NHTSA complaint #800281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.