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: 3 of 15 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
15 reports
65,000 miles · Sep 2, 2016
Seat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT HAD SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 91V143000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT HAD SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 91V143000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ UPDATED 10/19/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10903215
76,700 miles · Apr 9, 2013
TiresCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN TIRES, TIRE LINE SIZE: 275/40Z/R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND AND CRASH INTO A DITCH. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN TIRES, TIRE LINE SIZE: 275/40Z/R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND AND CRASH INTO A DITCH. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO TEMPORARILY REPAIR THE TIRE USING FIX-A-FLAT SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAD DEVELOP BUBBLES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,700. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505643
149,000 miles · Sep 12, 2007
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DECELERATING, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE U JOINTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL TIE ROD ASSEMBLY NEEDED T…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DECELERATING, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE U JOINTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL TIE ROD ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SPEED AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 149,000.
NHTSA ODI #10202785
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2005
Seat Belts
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. THE RETRACTOR WAS JAMMED. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP. *AK MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL 91V143000 FOR THE JAMMING SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10083653
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2003
Suspension
I HAVE A RECALL ON MY 1989 CHEVROLET CORVETTE AND WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER THEY SAID THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THAT RECALL. IT WAS THE ONE FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10037040
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 OME RUBBER LINE CAN. THE MAKER O…
Read full complaint
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 OME RUBBER LINE CAN. THE MAKER OF THESE BRAKE LINE ARE RUSSELL PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS AT 2645 GUNDRY AVE., SIGNAL HILL, CA 90806. THEY ARE SOLD UNDER THE NAME "STREET LEGAL STAINLESS BRAIDED TEFLON BRAKE LINES. THANK YOU.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764579
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2000
Electrical System
CONSUMER HAS NO INSIDE LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD. AT NIGHT GAUGES AREN'T VISIBLE . DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE LIGHTS UNLESS CONSUMER IS PAYING FOR IT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #875945
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2000
Unknown Or Other
THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED. IF THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN FOR THIS RECALL IS IT STILL ELIGIBLE TO BE FIXED?NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718898
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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
NHTSA ODI #842843
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 1998
Power Train
THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR IN 1991 AND ALL I WANT TO KNOW IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN FIND OUT IF THEY FIXED MY CAR AND IF THEY DIDN'T FIX IT ARE THEY STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM...I BOUGHT MY CAR USED IN LATE 1991 AND NEVER HEARD OF THE RECALL.....MAYBE IT WAS FIXED BEFORE I BOUGHT IT....
UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATIONS AND OCCUPANT USAGE CONDITIONS, THE SAFETY BELTS CAN LOCKUP OR JAM IN THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF LOCKUP OCCURS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL BELT OUT OFTHE RETRACTOR. THE OCCUPANT OF A SEAT WITH AN UNUSABLE SAFETY BELT ISSUBJECT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE LOCKUP OCCURS.
REAR WHEEL TIE ROD ASSEMBLY MAY FATIGUE AND COULD FRACTURE AT THE INBOARD BEARING DUE TO HIGH INNER JOINT ROCKING TORQUE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FRACTURE IN THIS ASSEMBLY COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE FAULTY TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES.
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
2
DP96006 · Brake Pull
Opened May 14, 1996 · Closed Oct 18, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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.
PE90032 · Tie Rod Socket Failure
Opened Jan 12, 1990 · Closed Mar 22, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
1989 Chevrolet Corvette Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration