RoadVitals

1996 Chevrolet Corvette

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
44
Latest Jul 8, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 44 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Corvette, most frequently naming the electrical, tires & wheels and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 30 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1121.2%
  • Tires & wheels815.4%
  • Body & structure713.5%
  • Steering611.5%
  • Transmission59.6%
  • Fuel system47.7%
  • Interior & seats35.8%
  • Suspension23.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ03001ClosedRecall Query

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

Opened Jan 2, 2003
Closed Sep 15, 2003

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.

STEERING
DP96006ClosedDefect Petition

BRAKE PULL

Opened May 14, 1996
Closed Oct 18, 1996

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 44
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 8, 2016

APPEARS THE ASR UNIT HARD SHORTED SENDING ELECTRICITY THROUGH ALL 3 THROTTLE CABLES AND SEBSEQUENTLY MELTING THEM. THANKFULLY THE VEHICLE DIDN'T START ON FIRE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ON THE FIRST DRIVE OF THE DAY AFTER ABOUT 7 MINUTES OF LOW SPEED (CITY) OPERATION SINCE ENGINE START.

NHTSA ID
10883595
Incident
Jul 5, 2016
Electrical
Filed Jun 6, 2014

TRIED TO START VEHICLE, BUT 'SECURITY' LIGHT CAME ON & ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. RESEARCHED ISSUE ONLINE & FOUND THAT THIS IS DUE TO A KNOWN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER PROBLEM. THE WIRES LEADING TO THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER BREAK, AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM TO PROPERLY READ THE SECURITY CODE FROM THE KEY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10596668
Incident
Jun 3, 2014
Mileage
133,725 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 22, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE. SUDDENLY, THE REMOVABLE ROOF PANEL SEPARATED FROM THE MOUNTING FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACRYLIC REMOVABLE ROOF PANEL, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,500.

NHTSA ID
10269696
Incident
Mar 7, 2009
Mileage
71,500 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Apr 29, 2009

THE ACRYLIC TOP ON MY 1996 CORVETTE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ACRYLIC TOP FROM CHEVROLET. THE ACRYLIC PORTION OF THE TOP HAS SEPARATED FROM THE ALUMINUM MOUNTING FRAME. I HAVE PRESENTED GONE THROUGH 4 CONSECUTIVE TOPS. EVERY TOP SUPPLIED TO ME HAS DONE THE SAME THING. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE MY VEHICLE DUE TO THIS FACT. IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE, THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT MY ROOF IS GOING TO COME OFF OF THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A ACCIDENT ON INJURE SOMEONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10267246
Incident
Apr 28, 2009
Engine
Filed Feb 23, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT HEARD A VERY LOUD EXPLOSION AND HER HOME BEGAN TO SHAKE. SHE FOUND THE VEHICLE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE SPREAD RAPIDLY AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED PRIOR TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S ARRIVAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REGULATOR EXPLODED DUE TO PRESSURE BUILD-UP. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. UPDATED 03/18/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10259661
Incident
Feb 10, 2009
Mileage
100,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 11, 2008

SNAP IN VALVE STEM HTTP://BLOGS.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG/SAFETY/2008/06/TIRE-VALVE-STEM.HTML. *TR

NHTSA ID
10245156
Incident
Oct 11, 2008
Electrical
Filed Feb 12, 2008
Fire reported

UPON NORMAL AUTO START SEQUENCE, STARTER WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. REMOVED KEY FROM VEHICLE CYLINDER LOCK AND STARTER CONTINUED TO CRANK ENGINE. STARTER MOTOR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE BATTERY COULD BE DISCONNECTED TO REMOVE POWER FROM VEHICLE. BURNED UP STARTER MOTOR AND O2 WIRING HARNESS AROUND LOCATION OF STARTER MOTOR. SAME FAILURE OCCURRED IN 1999. *TR

NHTSA ID
10217831
Incident
Feb 11, 2008
Mileage
160,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 30, 2006

PASSIVE KEYLESS ENTRY LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING HATCH RELEASED. ALTMOST LOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10174753
Incident
Nov 29, 2006
Mileage
90,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIC4696D

EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Corvette by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025103062.5
2024202056.4
2023241052.5
2022201042.0
2021122054.1
2020344053.1
20191471042.7
2018511040.6
20172554051.5
20161032046.4
2015645047.6
2014615159.6
2013820035.8
2012561043.7
2011851041.3
2010840035.0
20091510034.6
20085400037.8
20073402249.4
20063655456.6
20055326456.2
20042174253.7
2003853157.2
20021573148.8
20012033252.6
20002774358.2
19993084558.8
19983994557.3
19971537456.1
1996Viewing441251.1
1995321151.1
1994291245.5
1993222155.4
1992722—
1991243157.6
1990344560.3
1989154259.2
1988165351.3
1987213557.7
1986155559.6
1985163453.5
1984146258.6
1982020—
1981620—
1980320—
1979320—
1978120—
1977130—
1976120—
1975420—
1974030—
1973010—
1972010—
1971010—
1970010—
1969020—
1968020—
1967010—
1966110—
1965010—
1964100—
1960100—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.