1989 Chevrolet CorvetteProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 15 owner complaints about the 1989 Chevrolet Corvette, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)

Safety recalls2Free fix at dealers Owner complaints152 with a crash, fire or injury Top problem3Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 2, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Chevrolet Corvette has problems

15 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

3Service brakes, hydraulic

2Seat belts

2Suspension

2Electrical system

2Power train1 crash/fire/injury

1Steering

1Structure

1Tires1 crash/fire/injury

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.

Complaints by system
System	Complaints	Crash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic	3	0
Seat belts	2	0
Suspension	2	0
Electrical system	2	0
Power train	2	1
Steering	1	0
Structure	1	0
Tires	1	1

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

2 recalls

1989 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.

no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 91V-143 · Sep 4, 1991 · 231,833 vehicles

Risk. IF LOCKUP OCCURS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL BELT OUT OFTHE RETRACTOR.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

no report yet

Springs: leaf spring assembly

Recall 90V-032 · Feb 12, 1990 · 45,969 vehicles

Risk. FRACTURE IN THIS ASSEMBLY COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

1989 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

0 0 0 4 1 1 1 3 3 6 14 16 15 21 16 15 34 24 7 22 29 32 44 15339930827820515785 21753336534154115184 85 56 82 64 65 10525751 14834 13 20 27 22 11

'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

2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Chevrolet Corvette, and the recalls they led to.

May 14, 1996
BRAKE PULLDP96006 · closed Oct 18, 1996
No recall
Jan 12, 1990
TIE ROD SOCKET FAILUREPE90032 · closed Mar 22, 1990
Led to recall 90V-032

In owners' words

What Corvette owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

FRONT BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN SHORTENED BECAUSE OF THE EFFECTS OF POOR STAMPING. THIS CONDITION CAUSES EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE PLATES AND FRACTURING OF THE BRAKE SHOE HOLDER. CONTACTED RETAILER AND MANUFACTURER. *ML
Complaint 842843 · Sep 1, 1999

COMPLETE FAILURE OF DOT APPROVED STAINLESS BRAIDED TEFLON BRAKE LINE, THE LINE CAME APART ON THE CONNECTION WHERE IT ENTERS INTO THE CALIPER. THIS CAUSED ALL BRAKE FLUID TO LEAVE THE SYSTEM, LEAVING LITTLE TO NO BRAKES. PEOPLE TEND TO BUY THESE TYPE OF BRAKE LINES BECAUSE THEY DO NOT FAIL, AS THE…
Complaint 764579 · Jul 22, 2002

Own a 1989 Corvette?

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