Owners have filed 26 complaints
about the 1993 Chevrolet Corvette with NHTSA between 1995 and 2021.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 20 of 33 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 7
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Corvette. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
23.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1993 compares with every other Chevrolet Corvette
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1993 Chevrolet Corvette
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
519.2%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 93,509 mi
Acceleration & Cruise Control
415.4%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 77,452 mi
Electrical System
311.5%
Median failure at 17,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
311.5%
Engine & Cooling
311.5%
Fuel & Propulsion
27.7%
Body & Structure
27.7%
Steering
27.7%
Seat Belts
13.8%
Airbags
13.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires
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.
May 1995peak 3Jul 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 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.
Recalls on the 1993 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
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.
92V160000
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
THE POWER STEERING GEAR INLET HOSE ON THESE VEHICLES CAN FRACTURE, CAUSING POWER STEERING FLUID TO SPRAY FROM HOSE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Risk: THE POWER STEERING FLUID IS FLAMMABLE AND COULD CAUSEAN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199213779 units in Canada
Steering
THE POWER STEERING INLET HOSE MAY FRACTURE CAUSING POWER STEERING FLUID TO SPRAY OUT OF THE HOSE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD RESULT. CORRECTION: POWER STEERING GEAR INLET HOSE WILL BE REPLACED ON INVOLVED VEHICLES.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 77,452 milesMooresville, NCCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FROM A STOP, WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AS IF THE GAS PEDAL HAD BEEN PUSHED TO THE FLOOR AND HIT THE CAR AHEAD. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, OVER A YEAR LATER, THE CAR DID THE SAME THING, BUT FORTUNATELY DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. IN BOTH INSTANCES, WHEN THE CAR WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE RETURNED TO IDLE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD THE CAR WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING PRESSED WITH BOTH FEET. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT FOUND ANY REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING IN CORVETTES FROM 1984 TO 1996, SOME OF WHICH RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS AND EVEN DEATH. THIS IS THE DATE OF THE SECOND INSTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10045864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NMCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE BECAME STUCK IN A WIDE OPEN POSITION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AT A HIGH RATE SPEED. VEHICLE DROVE COMPLETELY THROUGH HOUSE, AND FINALLY STOPPED WHEN HITTING A TREE. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, AND CAUSE STILL UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #879291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten Island, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
GOING ABOUT 50MPH ON EXPRESSWAY, WHEN SUDDENLY DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, OBSCURING DRIVER'S VIEW. MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE; HIT GUARDRAIL; HEAD WENT, HIT WINDSHIELD. TOOK TO BODY & FENDER SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #814546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, ILCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
CLIP AND PINS WHICH HOLD THE CALIPERS WORE OUT, CAUSING THE CALIPER TO BECOME DETACHED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKING. CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT, CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE PIN AND CLIPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON A NUMBER OF TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #814593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
North Jackson, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Engine running fine when initially starts but after it warms up then starts missing , backfiring and stalls continuously. Car is a 1993 Corvette LT 1 engine with only 1,3000 miles. as told it is the OptiSpark that is bad which is part of the distributor. This car is a 40th Anniv car and is a collector car that GM manufactured with questionable engine components that go bad not from wear as in this case of only 13,000 miles but being made with poor components that should be recalled ,
NHTSA complaint #11427195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Jackson, OH
ENGINE
Engine running fine when initially starts but after it warms up then starts missing , backfiring and stalls continuously. Car is a 1993 Corvette LT 1 engine with only 1,3000 miles. as told it is the OptiSpark that is bad which is part of the distributor. This car is a 40th Anniv car and is a collector car that GM manufactured with questionable engine components that go bad not from wear as in this case of only 13,000 miles but being made with poor components that should be recalled ,
NHTSA complaint #11427195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fargo, ND
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
A NUT ON ONE OF THE FUEL LINES CONNECTING TO A FUEL INJECTOR WILL NOT STAY SCREWED ON. THE NUT KEEPS POPPING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10448515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesEast Haven, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE UNDER A LOAD SKIPS AND OPERATES AS THOUGH IT IS ON 4 CYLINDERS ONLY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GM DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICING AND WE WERE INFORMED OF THE RECALL WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROX 17000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND SUPPOSEDLY COVERED THE RECALL. SOME YEARS LATER THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP FAILED ON THE LT1 ENGINE FOR THE SECOND TIME AT APPROX 37000 MILES, THE REPAIR WAS MADE AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY DUE TO THE EXHORBORENT PRICES AT THE DEALERSHIP. NOW AT APPROX 54000 THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A CORVETTE, MAKING IT A COLLECTORS CAR. IT IS THE SUPPOSED TO BE THE ALL AMERICAN SPORTS CAR, NOT TO MENTION IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE EVEN MORE COLLECTIBLE BECAUSE IT IS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION. I AM APPALLED AT THE WORKMANSHIP AND POOR LEVEL OF CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCED FROM GM. WHILE THIS VEHICLE MAY BE OLD BY YEARS, IT HAS LESS MILEAGE THAN MY 2006 DURANGO, YET IT RUNS WORSE! GM IS OF NO HELP, AND YET THEY ARE AWARE OF THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT BECAUSE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A YEAR OR SO OLD THEY ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING. THIS IS THE THIRD REPAIR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT A DRIVE EVERYDAY VEHICLE, IT IS MEANT TO BE A COLLECTOR'S VEHICLE. ALSO, GM STOPPED MANUFACTURING THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE BECAUSE OF IT'S ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10421289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,509 milesPortland, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON FRIDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2010, I DROVE MY 1993 CHEVROLET CORVETTE AND THE BRAKES SEEMED TO BE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. ON SATURDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 2010, I DROVE THE SAME CAR AGAIN, AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT ITS BRAKES HAD LOST THEIR POWER BOOST-IN EFFECT, THEY WERE MANUAL BRAKES, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP QUICKLY. UPON INSPECTION, I OBSERVED THAT AN APPROXIMATELY 2" LONG CRACK HAD DEVELOPED IN THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER CASING (WHICH IS PLASTIC). THIS IS NOT REPAIRABLE, AND A REPLACEMENT PART IS ABOUT $250. LABOR TO INSTALL A REPLACEMENT IS ABOUT $200. I HAVE NOT BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT OR HAD ANY WORK DONE, BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10307255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,452 milesMooresville, NCCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FROM A STOP, WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AS IF THE GAS PEDAL HAD BEEN PUSHED TO THE FLOOR AND HIT THE CAR AHEAD. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, OVER A YEAR LATER, THE CAR DID THE SAME THING, BUT FORTUNATELY DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. IN BOTH INSTANCES, WHEN THE CAR WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE RETURNED TO IDLE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD THE CAR WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING PRESSED WITH BOTH FEET. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT FOUND ANY REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING IN CORVETTES FROM 1984 TO 1996, SOME OF WHICH RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS AND EVEN DEATH. THIS IS THE DATE OF THE SECOND INSTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10045864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethel Park, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN VEHICLE NOT STOPPING. DEALER DIAGNOSED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10029451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dearborn, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
LEAKING GAS LINES, REPLACED, DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE SENDING UNIT. LEAKING GAS LINES ARE CLASSIFIED AS NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW.
NHTSA complaint #9005677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dearborn, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
LEAKING GAS LINES, REPLACED, DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE SENDING UNIT. LEAKING GAS LINES ARE CLASSIFIED AS NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW.
NHTSA complaint #9005677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valley Cottage, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLES IS STALLING. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8004417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valley Cottage, NY
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THIS PART IS AVAILABLE AT CHEVROLET - THEY ARE AWARE THAT IT IS A FLAWED CHARACTERISTIC AS THER CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM SAYS - THE FIX IS TO ADD THE ADDITIONAL FRAME SUPPORT TO THE COUPES THAT CAME STANDARD ON THE CONVERTABLE - SOME PEOPLE REFER TO IT AS THE X FRAME. IT MAKES THE CAR SHUTTLE AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN YOU REMOVE THE GLASS TOP ON COUPES - THERE IS NO SUPPORT TO THE BODY AND THE CAR BOUNCES ALL OVER THE ROAD. I REPORTED IT TO CHEVROLET BUT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY OTHER CASES AND IF SOMETHING CAN BE DONE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND FIX THEM.
NHTSA complaint #743525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NMCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE BECAME STUCK IN A WIDE OPEN POSITION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AT A HIGH RATE SPEED. VEHICLE DROVE COMPLETELY THROUGH HOUSE, AND FINALLY STOPPED WHEN HITTING A TREE. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, AND CAUSE STILL UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #879291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
W DES Moines, IA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BACKING OUT AND BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY WOULD MAKE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END, AND THEN FADE AWAY. COULD FEEL IT WITHIN THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND STEERING WHEEL. HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES, COULDN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #860884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
W DES Moines, IA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN BACKING OUT AND BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY WOULD MAKE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END, AND THEN FADE AWAY. COULD FEEL IT WITHIN THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND STEERING WHEEL. HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES, COULDN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #860884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plainedge, NY
POWER TRAIN
THE SPEEDOMETER CONTINUES TO READ AT A CERTAIN SPEED ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS AT FULL STOP.
NHTSA complaint #716653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windsor, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
POOR DESIGN CAUSED DISTRUBUTOR TO FAIL AT APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES, CAUSING POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #849254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nampa, ID
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE CRUISING DOWN THE FREEWAY. POWER STEERING HOSE BUSTED, AND POWER STEERING FLUID WAS SPRAYED ALL OVER THE ENGINE WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #839723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wexford, PA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE O-RING AT PUMP FAILED 4 TIMES, DUE TO VIBRATION. BLOWS FLUID ON CATALYTIC CONVERTERS CAUSING FIRE HAZARD. '96 VETTE HAS RE-ENGINEERED HOSE & RESTRAINT BRACKET TO CORRECT PROBLEM. '96 PARTS FIT/FIX '93 VETTE. CHEVROLET PLEADS IGNORANCE, NO BULLETIN. WASTED $600 FOR '93 STYLE PARTS (PUMP & 4 HOSES) DEALER RECOMMENDED, BEFORE I DISCOVERED PROPER '96 RETROFIT ($175). CHEVROLET SAYS IT'S MY PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #702341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton, MA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION DETERIORATING. THIS, IN TURN, CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO STICK IN A OPEN POSITION , RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCELERATING AT HIGH SPEED. THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. OCCUPANT HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #828227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton, MA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
DURING A AUTO CLUB PARADE, THE DRIVER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WENT TO FULL THROTTLE. DRIVER SHIFTED TO PARK AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. TRANSMISSION (700R4) METAL FILINGS GET INTO THE VALVE BODY OF THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE GOVERN TO STAY WIDE OPEN AND THE CAR TO SURGE.
NHTSA complaint #541688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION DETERIORATING. THIS, IN TURN, CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO STICK IN A OPEN POSITION , RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCELERATING AT HIGH SPEED. THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. OCCUPANT HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #828227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten Island, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
GOING ABOUT 50MPH ON EXPRESSWAY, WHEN SUDDENLY DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, OBSCURING DRIVER'S VIEW. MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE; HIT GUARDRAIL; HEAD WENT, HIT WINDSHIELD. TOOK TO BODY & FENDER SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #814546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, ILCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
CLIP AND PINS WHICH HOLD THE CALIPERS WORE OUT, CAUSING THE CALIPER TO BECOME DETACHED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKING. CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT, CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE PIN AND CLIPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON A NUMBER OF TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #814593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Monica, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF AND STALLS OUT. DEALER CAN'T FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. DOES NOT WANT TO RELEASE THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #813294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Edmond, OK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT LOCKS UP REMAINS LOCKED UNTIL IT IS LY UNLOCKED. TT
NHTSA complaint #968966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.