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1986 Chevrolet CorvetteProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 15 owner complaints about the 1986 Chevrolet Corvette, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints151 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage84kSeat belts, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 21, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Chevrolet Corvette has problems

15 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seat belts71
Service brakes, hydraulic60
Electrical system10
Service brakes10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1986 Chevrolet Corvette recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Corvette year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Corvette median. How we score

'68'69'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Chevrolet Corvette, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE PULLDP96006 · closed Oct 18, 1996
    No recall
  2. SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR FAILEA90033 · closed Sep 9, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-143
  3. THROTTLE STICKINGEA92005 · closed Jan 29, 1993
    No recall
  4. TIE ROD SOCKET FAILUREPE90032 · closed Mar 22, 1990
    Led to recall 90V-032
  5. SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR FAILPE90041 · closed Jun 11, 1990
    No recall
In owners' words

What Corvette owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

SEAT BELTS DON'T TIGHTEN UPON FAST BODY MOVEMENT OR FAST BRAKING. THEY DON'T WORK PROPERLY.I HAD THE BELTS REPLACE AT A CHEVROLET DEALER, BUT THEY STILL DON'T WORK PROPERLY.
Complaint 11006679 · Jul 21, 2017 · 23,000 miles
REFERENCE NUMBERS: ?CHEVROLET RECALLS 91C25 AND 91C26 ISSUED NOVEMBER 1991 ?NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #: 91V143000 ?CHEVROLET CLAIM# [XXX] (FROM RECENT CONVERSATIONS) ?VIN# [XXX]. OUR 1986 CORVETTE'S SEATBELTS INTERMITTENTLY LOCKUP AND DO NOT MOVE; THEN WHEN THEY DO EVENTUALLY RELEASE WE ARE CONCERNED THAT…
Complaint 10607163 · Jun 30, 2014 · 84,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. RECALL #91V143000 WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NO INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL, AND THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE…
Complaint 10188736 · Apr 24, 2007 · 88,132 miles

Own a 1986 Corvette?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.