1994 Chevrolet Corvette Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 Chevrolet Corvette, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes514.3%
- Electrical514.3%
- Transmission38.6%
- Engine38.6%
- Airbags38.6%
- Body & structure38.6%
- Other / unspecified38.6%
- Visibility25.7%
- Driver assistance25.7%
- Exterior lighting12.9%
- Powertrain (other)12.9%
- Seat belts12.9%
- Tires & wheels12.9%
- Interior & seats12.9%
- Fuel system12.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 1994 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was shaking with the brake pads abnormally grabbing. The contact stated that he had to lightly depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from shaking and the brake pads grabbing. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the power locks would unlock and lock unintendedly. The contact also stated that the interior lights would turn off and on independently. The contact stated that the failures had become constant. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
DEALER REPLACING BRAKE HARDLINES & FITTINGS DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION, WHICH CANNOT BE PREVENTED BY REGULAR MAINTENANCE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 1994 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was shaking with the brake pads abnormally grabbing. The contact stated that he had to lightly depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from shaking and the brake pads grabbing. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the power locks would unlock and lock unintendedly. The contact also stated that the interior lights would turn off and on independently. The contact stated that the failures had become constant. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
AT 19,528 MILEAGE. MY TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED,SIDE WALLS WHERE CRACKED, NO SAFE TO DRIVE IN MOTION. REPLACE BACK UP LAMP SWITCH INTERNAL SHORTED,PART NO LONGER AVAILABLE THRU GM. LIGHTING SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLE MOTION INTENT ,IN MOTION IN CITY AND HIGHWAY. AT 23,353 MILEAGE. FOUND # 5 CYLINDER IS MISFIRING AND THE SPARK PLUG IS FOULED. FOUND NO SPARK ON THAT CYLINDER ALSO. FOUND THE ABITS DISTRIBUTOR MODULE IS FAULTY .NEED TO REPLACE THE ABITS. REPLACED THE ABITS DISTRIBUTOR. SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES,IN MOTION IN CITY AND HIGHWAY. THEN AGAIN AT 27,011MILAGE. REPLACE SERPENTINE BELT. REPLACE HUB ASSEMBLY RF ,FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. REPLACE BROKEN R+R ROCKER ARM STUD,IN MOTION IN CITY AND HIGHWAY. AT 27.088 MILEAGE. NEED TO REPLACE THE DISTRIBUTOR MODULE IS FAULTY AGAIN. THE COIL NEED TO REPLACE TOO. REPLACED THE ABITS DISTRIBUTOR " THIS IS THE 3 RD TIME ",THE DEALER SAID THAT MANY OWNERS COMPLAIN BECAUSE NO RECALL . TODAY IS IN THE SHOP
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY ISSUES BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 134,000.
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR GOT STUCK IN SECOND GEAR AFTER TAKING IT TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WASN'T SO BAD BUT, DO TO GM NOT RELEASING ANY PARTS FOR THAT TRANS. I WILL HAVE TO PAY OVER $5000. FOR A NEW TRANS. AFTER ONLY HAVING 1900, ML I FIND THIS BEING UNFAIR TO ME AND THE PUBLIC. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM SO I AM LEFT WITH WRITING THIS LETTER AND I WILL NOT STOP HERE. PLEASE REVIEW MY LETTER AND GET BACK TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT 19,528 MILEAGE. MY TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED,SIDE WALLS WHERE CRACKED, NO SAFE TO DRIVE IN MOTION. REPLACE BACK UP LAMP SWITCH INTERNAL SHORTED,PART NO LONGER AVAILABLE THRU GM. LIGHTING SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLE MOTION INTENT ,IN MOTION IN CITY AND HIGHWAY. AT 23,353 MILEAGE. FOUND # 5 CYLINDER IS MISFIRING AND THE SPARK PLUG IS FOULED. FOUND NO SPARK ON THAT CYLINDER ALSO. FOUND THE ABITS DISTRIBUTOR MODULE IS FAULTY .NEED TO REPLACE THE ABITS. REPLACED THE ABITS DISTRIBUTOR. SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES,IN MOTION IN CITY AND HIGHWAY. THEN AGAIN AT 27,011MILAGE. REPLACE SERPENTINE BELT. REPLACE HUB ASSEMBLY RF ,FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. REPLACE BROKEN R+R ROCKER ARM STUD,IN MOTION IN CITY AND HIGHWAY. AT 27.088 MILEAGE. NEED TO REPLACE THE DISTRIBUTOR MODULE IS FAULTY AGAIN. THE COIL NEED TO REPLACE TOO. REPLACED THE ABITS DISTRIBUTOR " THIS IS THE 3 RD TIME ",THE DEALER SAID THAT MANY OWNERS COMPLAIN BECAUSE NO RECALL . TODAY IS IN THE SHOP
THE CHEVROLET LT1 5.7 LITER ENGINE HAS A DEFECT WITH THE WATER PUMP. IT IS A CAM SHAFT DRIVEN WATER PUMP AND LEAKS ANTIFREEZE ONTO THE OPTISPARK(AKA DISTRIBUTOR) WHICH SHORTS OUT THE OPTISPARK. IF THE CAR IS DRIVING IT WILL NO LONGER RUN. THIS ALSO DISABLE POWER STEERING. THIS DEFECT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED AND FIXED IN 1995 AND NEWER MODELS BUT THE PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS A MOVING CAR CAN BE DISABLED WHILE DRIVING. THIS THE EXACT SAME RESULT AS THE GM IGNITION KEY RECALL AND IT SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 42 MPH THE ENTIRE AIR BAG CAME OFF, BUT DID NOT DEPLOY. IT REQUIRES 4 SCREWS TO HOLD IT ON, BUT THE CONTACT ONLY FOUND 2 SCREWS. ATTEMPTED TO PUT THEM IN BUT ONLY ONE SEEMED TO TAKE, AND EVEN THAT ONE WAS NOT TIGHT. THE DEALER WOULD NOT HELP. THIS REPRESENTED A SAFETY CONCERN. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. UPDATED 05/30/06. *AK
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TIRE LOCKED UP AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. GM LOOKED AT THE AIR BAGS AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
ROOF EPOXY DEFECT IN CURING AS HARD TOP SEPARATES FROM FRAME AND PRESENTS A HIGH RISK OF INJURY TO OTHER CARS FOLLOWING WHEN THE ROOF FLIES OFF IN TRAFFIC AT HWY SPEEDS. CONTACT SELF OR RICH LENHART AT CORVETTE CONNECTION IN DENVER 303 288-8388. THIS IS MY SECOND ROOF AND ALSO ROOFS SENT TO BODY SHOP HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE ALSO IN SAME MANNER. *AK
CONVERTIBLE TOP REAR GLASS FELL OUT. UNABLE TO RESTORE IT UNLESS THE WHOLE TOP WOULD BE REPLACED. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE, PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. *AK THE CONVERTIBLE REAR WINDOW FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING DUE TO FALULTY BONDING PROCESS. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
RIGHT REAR BOLTS HOLDING CALIPERS IN, BROKE AND CAUSED EMERGENCY BRAKES/ABS BRAKE LINES TO BREAK WHEN THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE. THE WHEEL BROKE & BLEW HOLE IN TIRE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER & THEN TOWED HOME. PROBLEM IS WITH WARRANTY. *AK CONSUMER STATES A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUNDED TO THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE EXPLOSION WAS CAUSED BY THE BOLTS SHEARING THAT HOLD THE CALIPER IN PLACE. *SLC
WHEELS CAME WITH CAR ALL FOUR WHEEL BROKE IN THE SAME PLACE. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIPERS GET ENTANGLED WITH EACHOTHER, HAPPENS FAIRLY REGULARLY, NO PERMANENT FIX AVAILABLE FROM DEALER, I HAVE SWITCHED TO SHORTER, AFTERMARKET BLADES WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE HELPED
REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHEN OPENING TRUNK. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT DISENGAGE AND ACTUALLY ACCELERATES ON MY 1994 CORVETTE. TO BRAKE THE CAR, THE ENGINE HAS TO BE SHUT OFF WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING IN EXCESS OF 85 MPH. THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN JANUARY 1999. I TOOK THE CAR TO TWO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS, ONE IN FLORIDA THE OTHER KELLE CHEVROLET, FARMINGDALE, NJ 07727, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CRUSIE CONTROL. I HAVE NOT USED THE CRUSIE SINCE THEN FOR FEAR THAT THE SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN. I LENT THE CAR TO MY COUSIN IN MAY OF 2007, AND NOT KNOWING THAT THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM, HE USED THE CRUISE AND ONCE AGAIN IT WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS, CASE NUMBER, 71-526476194, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING.
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP OR IN IDLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FOWARD.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT 19,528 MILEAGE. MY TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED,SIDE WALLS WHERE CRACKED, NO SAFE TO DRIVE IN MOTION. REPLACE BACK UP LAMP SWITCH INTERNAL SHORTED,PART NO LONGER AVAILABLE THRU GM. LIGHTING SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLE MOTION INTENT ,IN MOTION IN CITY AND HIGHWAY. AT 23,353 MILEAGE. FOUND # 5 CYLINDER IS MISFIRING AND THE SPARK PLUG IS FOULED. FOUND NO SPARK ON THAT CYLINDER ALSO. FOUND THE ABITS DISTRIBUTOR MODULE IS FAULTY .NEED TO REPLACE THE ABITS. REPLACED THE ABITS DISTRIBUTOR. SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES,IN MOTION IN CITY AND HIGHWAY. THEN AGAIN AT 27,011MILAGE. REPLACE SERPENTINE BELT. REPLACE HUB ASSEMBLY RF ,FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. REPLACE BROKEN R+R ROCKER ARM STUD,IN MOTION IN CITY AND HIGHWAY. AT 27.088 MILEAGE. NEED TO REPLACE THE DISTRIBUTOR MODULE IS FAULTY AGAIN. THE COIL NEED TO REPLACE TOO. REPLACED THE ABITS DISTRIBUTOR " THIS IS THE 3 RD TIME ",THE DEALER SAID THAT MANY OWNERS COMPLAIN BECAUSE NO RECALL . TODAY IS IN THE SHOP
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CHEVROLET LT1 5.7 LITER ENGINE HAS A DEFECT WITH THE WATER PUMP. IT IS A CAM SHAFT DRIVEN WATER PUMP AND LEAKS ANTIFREEZE ONTO THE OPTISPARK(AKA DISTRIBUTOR) WHICH SHORTS OUT THE OPTISPARK. IF THE CAR IS DRIVING IT WILL NO LONGER RUN. THIS ALSO DISABLE POWER STEERING. THIS DEFECT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED AND FIXED IN 1995 AND NEWER MODELS BUT THE PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS A MOVING CAR CAN BE DISABLED WHILE DRIVING. THIS THE EXACT SAME RESULT AS THE GM IGNITION KEY RECALL AND IT SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE SEAT BELTS, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
EMT TIRES ON THE VEHICLE CAUSING WHEELS TO CONTINUE TO CRACK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WATER LEAKS INTO PART OF THE ENGINE FROM LATCH MECHANISM HOUSING OF THE HOOD, WHICH DRIPS ONTO THE FUSE BOX. THIS COULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL ODER FROM REAR OF THE VEHICLE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .