1996 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 1996 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
- Electrical1121.2%
- Tires & wheels815.4%
- Body & structure713.5%
- Steering611.5%
- Transmission59.6%
- Fuel system47.7%
- Interior & seats35.8%
- Suspension23.8%
- Engine23.8%
- Other / unspecified11.9%
- Powertrain (other)11.9%
- Airbags11.9%
- Brakes11.9%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
SNAP IN VALVE STEM HTTP://BLOGS.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG/SAFETY/2008/06/TIRE-VALVE-STEM.HTML. *TR
THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR (THE LEFT FRONT SENSOR, ALSO KNOWN AS GREEN #44 OR PART NUMBER 1016 1856) IS NOT AVAILABLE NEW OR USED ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY. REFERRING TO PAGE 6-47 OF THE MANUAL, THE FOLLOWING WARNING APPEARS: WHEN THE LOW/FLAT TIRE WARNING LIGHT IS ON YOUR VEHICLE'S HANDLING CAPABILITIES WILL BE REDUCED DURING SEVERE MANEUVERS. IF YOU DRIVE TOO FAST, YOU COULD LOSE CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE. YOU OR OTHERS COULD BE INJURED. DON'T DRIVE OVER 55 MPH (90 KM/H) WHEN THE LOW/FLAT TIRE WARNING LIGHT IS ON. DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY AND CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE AS SOON AS YOU CAN." NOW, NOTING THE RECENT HEADLINES ABOUT FIRESTONE TIRE FAILURES AND THE RESULTING TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES, IT WOULD SEEM HIGHLY APPROPRIATE FOR CHEVROLET TO IMMEDIATELY ADDRESS THE FACT THAT THIS PART IS DISCONTINUED AND NO LONGER AVAILABLE. BASICALLY, ALL WE (MY WIFE JOY RENDE, WHO ACTUALLY OWNS THE CAR, AND I) ARE LOOKING FOR IS FOR CHEVY TO START MANURAFTURING THE PART AGAIN.*AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON / DISTRIBUTOR FAILED WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE STALLED, LOST POWER STEERING. ENGINE REFIRED. ON WAY TO DEALER ENGINE STALLED IN TRAFFIC.*AK
STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING RACK AND PUMP, PROBLEM STILL THERE. *AK
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
TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND WENT INTO SKID,SENT CAR INTO ONCOMMING TRAFFIC,SECOND REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. *AK
HAD TO FORCE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO GEAR, TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
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
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.
WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT 10 MPH BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO FLOOR AFTER CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WITHOUT AN INCIDENT. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED, ALLOWING FAILURE OF BRAKE SYSTEM. *AK *JB
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
WAS MOVING OUT OF PARKING AREA AT 10MPH. DRIVER STARTED STRETCHING WHEN SEAT CRACKED IN HALF. TOOK TO DEALER 7 INFORMED IT WAS ALREADY CRACKED BEFORE DRIVER BROKE IT. SEAT SWINGS LOOSELY ON ANCHORS. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PORTION OF THE SEAT THAT CRACKED IN HALF WAS A PLASTIC OR FIBERGLASS PART THAT CONNECTED TO THE SEAT TO THE BOLTS ON THE FLOOR, THE SEATBACK CONSEQUENTLY ROCKED BACK AND FORTH FREELY, AND THE DRIVER IN A RELAXED POSITION, WOULD BE ALMOST RECLINED, THEREFORE HAVING TO PULL ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN A NORMAL, UPRIGHT DRIVING POSTURE. *SLC
INTERIOR LIGHT SENSOR FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
UPPER LEFT BALL JOINT FAILED.
THE CAR IS A CONVETRIBLE HARD TOP. WHEN TOP IS NOT ONN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SHAKES OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN THE TOP IS ON , THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN.*AK DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, PLASTIC TACK TO HOLD DOWN RUBBER PIECE BROKE. LEFT REAR BOLT AT CATCH IS LOOSE FOR HATCHBACK. VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WITH AND WITHOUT THE TOP ON. INTERIOR LIGHTS SOMETIMES DO NOT GO OUT WHEN DRIVER'S DOOR IS CLOSED. *SLC
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
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
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THERE WAS A BANGING NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE OIL FILTER POPPING OUT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, ALMOST CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH FUEL LEAKAGE OR FUEL PRESSURE. *AK
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
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
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
FIRST WHEEL BEARING HUB FAILED ON MARCH 26, 1999. SERVICE TECHNICIAN REPORTED THAT WHEEL COULD HAVE COME OFF OF VEHICLE DURING TRANSPORTATION. REPLACED BY DEALER AT CONSUMER'S COST. LETTER SENT TO VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WITH FAILED PART. NO RESPONSE RECEIVED BY CONSUMER. REPLACEMENT DIAGNOSED AS FAILED ON JANUARY 12, 2000. DURING DIAGNOSIS, DEALER REPORTS THAT ALL UNIVERSAL JOINTS (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT) ARE FAILING. ALL ASSEMBLIES SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN 3 YEARS/55,000 MILES. *AK
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
CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, HIT 2 TREES AND CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING ON A STRIGHT AWAY AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY PULLED TO THE LEFT, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. DP 96-006. *AK
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 .