Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
112.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
450.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
112.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
225.0%
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.
Jan 1995peak 2Mar 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 1990 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.
DP92011Opened 22 May 1992Closed 29 Oct 1992AIR BAGS
AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY
AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY
PE90040Opened 6 Feb 1990Closed 11 Jun 1990PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
PE90038Opened 2 Feb 1990Closed 7 May 1990ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UNDER DASH FIRE
PE90032Opened 12 Jan 1990Closed 22 Mar 1990SUSPENSION
TIE ROD SOCKET FAILURE
Recalls on the 1990 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.
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.
Recall 199001419 units in Canada
Fuel System
THE FUEL FEED AND RETURN LINES ON THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE INCORRECT LINE END FLARE CONFIGURATION. IF THESE LINES ARE LEFT UNCORRECTED THE LINE ENDS COULD CRACK, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND A RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: NEW FUEL LINES WITH THE CORRECT END FLARE CONFIGURATION WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 23,767 milesFlorence, SC1 injured
AIR BAGS
MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN 1-20 AT 70 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON KNOWN TO US. I WAS DRIVING AND WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND GET IT STOPPED. THE AIRBAG INJURED MY LEFT ARM AND MY CHEST. IT FILLED THE INTERIOR WITH SMOKE, WHICH AFFECTED OUR BREATHING (MY WIFE HAS ASTHMA) AND VISION.
NHTSA complaint #10723870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXCrash
SUSPENSION:REAR
WITH ORIGINAL TYPE GOODYEAR TIRES, THE CAR SEEMS TO GO INTO AN OVERSTEER CONDITION WHEN FOOT TAKEN OFF OF ACCELERATOR AND STEERING TURNED SLIGHTLY. CAR SPINS OUT. FIRST TIME ACCIDENTAL. I CAN BE ON A FREEWAY GOING STRAIGHT, TURN THE STEERING SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT, THEN TO THE LEFT A LITTLE AND LET UP ON THE GAS AND THE CAR GOES INTO A SPIN DOWN THE FREEWAY. A FELLOW I WORKED WITH IN CALIFORNIA SAYS THIS IS NORMAL, NOT FOR THE YEAR, BUT FOR ALL CORVETTES OF THIS BODY STYLE. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. CONTACTED CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #752044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milmay, NJCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION/VEHICLE COMING TO A STOP WHEN ACCELERATED INTO A BRICK HOUSE /STALLING PROBLEMS
NHTSA complaint #709905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CACrash
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG SENSOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #483050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Austin, TX
SEAT BELTS
The Seatbelt Retractors failed per both of the safety belt recalls. The belts no longer function and GM refuses to provide a remedy to clear the safety recall.
NHTSA complaint #11512759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesParamus, NJ
SEAT BELTS
GM ORDERED THE INCORRECT SEAT BELTS WHICH WOULD SATISFY THE RECALL. THEY'VE IGNORED MY PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS. ACCORDING TO MY FINDINGS GM MUST EITHER SATISFY THE RECALL OR PROVIDE ME WITH A SUITABLE VEHICLE WHICH IS SAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #11190245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesMesa, AZ
SEAT BELTS
I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT GET THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPLACE MY SEAT BELTS.
NHTSA complaint #10914319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMiddletown, CT
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10905075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMiddletown, CT
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10905075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,767 milesFlorence, SC1 injured
AIR BAGS
MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN 1-20 AT 70 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON KNOWN TO US. I WAS DRIVING AND WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND GET IT STOPPED. THE AIRBAG INJURED MY LEFT ARM AND MY CHEST. IT FILLED THE INTERIOR WITH SMOKE, WHICH AFFECTED OUR BREATHING (MY WIFE HAS ASTHMA) AND VISION.
NHTSA complaint #10723870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Derry, NH
SEAT BELTS
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE IN DEC. 2012. I RECENTLY TOOK IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER FOR SERVICE WHO AT THAT TIME RAN IT THROUGH THEIR DATABASE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY OUTSTANDING RECALLS. IN 1990 A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT NOT WORKING AS EXPECTED. WHEN THEY CHECKED WITH THE MANUFACTURER THEY WERE INFORMED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION SO THEREFORE COULD NOT BE REPLACED. MY QUESTION IS SHOULD THE MANUFACTURER STILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE DEFECTIVE PART OR HAS THE RECALL EXPIRED ON THIS ISSUE? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME CONCERNING THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #10619482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesPinckneyu, MI
SEAT BELTS
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SEAT BELT MY SELF INTO MY CORVETTE THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT UPPER HARNESS WOULD NOT RELEASE AND ATTACH TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BELT CLASP.
NHTSA complaint #10593833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
VISIBILITY
WINDSHIELD DELAMINATION.
NHTSA complaint #10357292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,998 milesWilkes Barre, PA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
PROBLEM: I HAVE A 1990 CHEVY CORVETTE AND THE SAFETY BELT ON THE DRIVES SIDE OF CAR HAS "LOCKUP OR JAMMED" IN THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR. CONSEQUENCE SUMMARY: IF LOCKUP OCCURS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL BELT OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. THE OCCUPANT OF A SEAT WITH AN UNUSABLE SAFETY BELT IS SUBJECT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT. CORRECTIVE SUMMARY: REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE LOCKUP OCCURS. CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 91V143000 DATE: 1991-SEP-04 COMPONENT: SEAT BELTS: FRONT: ANCHORAGE CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 91V143000 DATE: 1991-SEP-04 COMPONENT: SEAT BELTS: FRONT: ANCHORAGE. I WHEN TO CHEVORLET IN WILKES BARRE, PA AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT FIX THE DEFECTIVE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE. I UNDERSTAND, (CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG) THAN THE MANUFACTURER MUST REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE AS IT IS A DEFECTIVE SAFETY DEVICE ON THE VEHICLE. I FIND IT ODD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS PART, BUT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THAT WAS $154 PLUS LABOR TO REPLACE THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10187050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,998 milesWilkes Barre, PA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
PROBLEM: I HAVE A 1990 CHEVY CORVETTE AND THE SAFETY BELT ON THE DRIVES SIDE OF CAR HAS "LOCKUP OR JAMMED" IN THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR. CONSEQUENCE SUMMARY: IF LOCKUP OCCURS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL BELT OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. THE OCCUPANT OF A SEAT WITH AN UNUSABLE SAFETY BELT IS SUBJECT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT. CORRECTIVE SUMMARY: REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE LOCKUP OCCURS. CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 91V143000 DATE: 1991-SEP-04 COMPONENT: SEAT BELTS: FRONT: ANCHORAGE CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 91V143000 DATE: 1991-SEP-04 COMPONENT: SEAT BELTS: FRONT: ANCHORAGE. I WHEN TO CHEVORLET IN WILKES BARRE, PA AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT FIX THE DEFECTIVE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE. I UNDERSTAND, (CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG) THAN THE MANUFACTURER MUST REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE AS IT IS A DEFECTIVE SAFETY DEVICE ON THE VEHICLE. I FIND IT ODD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS PART, BUT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THAT WAS $154 PLUS LABOR TO REPLACE THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10187050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camp Hill, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DIAGNOSTIC ENERGY RESERVE MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE IN REIMBURSEMENT. *TT *JB
NHTSA complaint #10007313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camp Hill, PA
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER COMMENTS THAT SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, THE DIAGNOSTIC ENERGY RESERVE MODULE (DERM) MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH IS PART OF THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM, CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR HIS OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES.
NHTSA complaint #785626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camp Hill, PA
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER COMMENTS THAT SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, THE DIAGNOSTIC ENERGY RESERVE MODULE (DERM) MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH IS PART OF THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM, CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR HIS OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES.
NHTSA complaint #785626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gilmer, TX
AIR BAGS
CANNOT GET A REPLACEMENT PART FROM GMC . THEREFORE I AM FORCED TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF MY AIR BAG.
NHTSA complaint #753902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXCrash
SUSPENSION:REAR
WITH ORIGINAL TYPE GOODYEAR TIRES, THE CAR SEEMS TO GO INTO AN OVERSTEER CONDITION WHEN FOOT TAKEN OFF OF ACCELERATOR AND STEERING TURNED SLIGHTLY. CAR SPINS OUT. FIRST TIME ACCIDENTAL. I CAN BE ON A FREEWAY GOING STRAIGHT, TURN THE STEERING SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT, THEN TO THE LEFT A LITTLE AND LET UP ON THE GAS AND THE CAR GOES INTO A SPIN DOWN THE FREEWAY. A FELLOW I WORKED WITH IN CALIFORNIA SAYS THIS IS NORMAL, NOT FOR THE YEAR, BUT FOR ALL CORVETTES OF THIS BODY STYLE. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. CONTACTED CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #752044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oviedo, FL
AIR BAGS
COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE AIR BAG RESTRAIN SYSTEM HAS MALFUNCTION. A LIGHT HAS COME ON THE DASH. I CAN'T SEEM TO GET A REPLACEMENT PART. I HAVE CONTACT GM . APPEARS GM. DOES NOT HAVE A VENDOR TO SUPPLY THE PART. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE 800-222-1020 EXT 57379 SERVICE NUMBER C04306084. MY CONCERN IS THE AIR BAG ACCORDING TO GM COULD DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. HOW MANY ADDITONAL CARS THAT GM MAKES HAS THE SAME COMPUTER MODULE THAT TODAY IS NOT AVAILABLE. I CAN'T SEEM TO GET THEM CONCERN.THEIR COMMENT TO ME IS IT WILL ONLY INFLATE FOR 20 SECONDS. 20 SECONDS IS A LONG TIME DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #747175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Port Richey, FL
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
I'VE READ THAT THERE IS A GROUNDING ISSUE IN THE AIR BAG WITH THIS TYPE/YEAR VEHICLE CAUSING WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON AND POSSIBLE SHUT DOWN OR THE SYSTEM. IS THIS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE?
NHTSA complaint #737633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT. Laurel, NJ
AIR BAGS
DURING THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG SENSORS AT LEAST 5 TIMES. OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM YET GM DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #732539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hemet, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #725870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sewickley, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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?
NHTSA complaint #712574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milmay, NJCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION/VEHICLE COMING TO A STOP WHEN ACCELERATED INTO A BRICK HOUSE /STALLING PROBLEMS
NHTSA complaint #709905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plano, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
EXPERIENCING FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE DURING MODERATE / HEAVY RAINSTORMS, RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY AND POSSIBLE COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #546082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camp Hill, PA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEP FLASHING. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THERE WERE BAD CONNECTOR ON THE AIR BAG. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #833866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Battle CRE, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE STOPPED. SYS WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AT THE TIME AND CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT FLASHES QUICKLY.
NHTSA complaint #780582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.