Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 6 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
6 reports
84,000 miles · Dec 18, 2018
SteeringSuspensionWheels
I'VE HAD AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BOLT COME OUT 4 TIMES ON MY CAR CAUSING THE WHEEL TO TUCK UNDER THE CAR. I ALSO HAD A LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT COME OUT ONCE. I'VE BEEN LUCKY, IT'S ALWAYS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TURNING AROUND OR GOING SLOW. HOWEVER, THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, AND I…
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I'VE HAD AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BOLT COME OUT 4 TIMES ON MY CAR CAUSING THE WHEEL TO TUCK UNDER THE CAR. I ALSO HAD A LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT COME OUT ONCE. I'VE BEEN LUCKY, IT'S ALWAYS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TURNING AROUND OR GOING SLOW. HOWEVER, THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A ROCK SHOT OUT FROM UNDER THE TIRE. I STOPPED AND TOOK A LOOK AT THINGS AND LOOKED AT THE STREET BUT DIDN'T SEE A IT OR BOLT OR ANYTHING, AND FIGURED IT WAS A ROCK. IT DROVE FINE, GOT ON THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR SEEED TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. I GAVE IT A NORMAL SMALL CORRECTION AND SHOT HALF WAY ACROSS THE LANE NEXT TO ME THEN BACK ACROSS MY LANE. LET'S JUST SAY I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SCARED ME! NOW I KNOW WHY THEY CALL THEM CONTROL ARMS! I WAS WONDERING IF THE CONTROL ARM BOLTS COMING LOOSE ARE AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES, BECAUSE I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS AND IT'S BEEN A REAL PROBLEM WITH MINE. VERY DANGEROUS AND I'VE BEEN VERY LUCKY. A COUPLE OF TIMES I JUST GOT OFF THE FREEWAY A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT CAME APART. ONCE I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT FELT LIKE I GOT A FLAT TILL I LOOKED AT MY WHEEL ALL CROOKED ON MY CAR. ONCE PULLING AWAY FROM A CURB. THE OTHER TIMES I WAS GOING SLOW MAKIN A TURN. VERY LUCKY! I DON'T HAVE RECEIPTS FOR THE REPAIRS OR PICTURES. I'VE BEEN LUCKY IT JUST MADE THE WHEEL TUCK UNDER AND DIDN''T DO DAMAGE TO ANYTHING ELSE. BUT IF I HAD BEEN GOING FAST, WHO KNOWS THE DAMAGE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED? I SEE THIS AS SUPER DANGEROUS! I'VE ASKED A MECHANIC IF THE BOLTS COULD BE DRILLED AND A CASTLE NUT AND PIN BE USED TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN? I DON'T REMEMBER THE ANSWER. I HAVE A DIFFERENT MECHANIC WHO HELPS ME WITH MY CAR. I NEED TO ASK HIM WHAT HE THINKS THE BEST SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS, BECAUSE I'M BEYOND TIRED OF IT. THANKS!
NHTSA ODI #11162151
Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN IN STORAGE SINCE 1982 AND HAS 4900 ORIGINAL MILES. THE VEHICLE IS IN NEW SHOWROOM CONDITION. I AM NOW PLANNING TO TRANSPORT THE VEHICLE TO FLORIDA AND DIRVE IT ON OCCASION. I WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL IN 1983 AND HAVE MISPLACED THE NOTIFICATION DUE TO THE CAR BEING IN ST…
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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN IN STORAGE SINCE 1982 AND HAS 4900 ORIGINAL MILES. THE VEHICLE IS IN NEW SHOWROOM CONDITION. I AM NOW PLANNING TO TRANSPORT THE VEHICLE TO FLORIDA AND DIRVE IT ON OCCASION. I WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL IN 1983 AND HAVE MISPLACED THE NOTIFICATION DUE TO THE CAR BEING IN STORAGE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN GETTING THIS RECALL DONE, WORKING WITH A DEALER NEAR WHERE IT IS STORED IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT. THEY SAY THEY HAVE NO ACCESS TO OBTAINING THIS INFOFRMATION AND UNLESS I CAN PROVIDE THE NOTICE, THEY ARE UNABLE TO HELP ME. I WOULD LIKE TO ARRANGE THIS FOR EARLY IN NOVEMBER WHEN I RETURN TO VERMONT AND WILL WORK WITH SHEARER CHEVROLET TO ACHIEVE THE BEST SOLUTION POSSIBLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #753118
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL TANK WHICH IS MADE OF A STEEL OUTER SHELL WITH AN INNER LINER OF HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE DEVELOPED A CRACK IN BOTH FRONT LOWER CORNERS. THIS PERMITTED FUEL TO ENTER BETWEEN THE STEEL TANK AND THE LINER. THE CONDENSATION IN THE FUEL RUSTED THE OUTER TANK, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #821063
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 1998
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
FUEL TANK'S PLASTIC LINER CRACKED IN THE FRONT LOWER CORNERS CAUSING THE FUEL TANK'S OUTER STEEL SHELL TO RUST AND CAUSE A LEAK.
NHTSA ODI #529786
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 1998
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
FUEL TANK'S PLASTIC LINER CRACKED IN THE FRONT LOWER CORNERS CAUSING THE FUEL TANK'S OUTER STEEL SHELL TO RUST AND CAUSE A LEAK.
NHTSA ODI #529766
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 1998
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
FUEL TANK'S PLASTIC LINER CRACKED IN THE FRONT LOWER CORNERS CAUSING THE FUEL TANK'S OUTER STEEL SHELL TO RUST AND CAUSE A LEAK.
NHTSA ODI #529765
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1981 Chevrolet Corvette Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year