A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Chevrolet Corvette you are looking at. Then check its model year against 37 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.
VIN prefix1G1
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Chevrolet Corvette
About the Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet has sold the Corvette in the US since the 1990 model year, and there have been five generations. The C4 came first (1990–1996); C5 (1997–2004), C6 (2005–2013), C7 (2014–2019) followed, and the C8 took over for 2020–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 37 vehicle recall campaigns and 5,188 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the C6. Its 2008 and 2005 model years alone account for 1,125 of them, with owners bringing up fuel system most often and exterior lighting after that. EPA rates the C4 at 15–18 mpg combined, while the C8, whose lineup includes hybrid versions, gets 14–19 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
US model years1990–2026
GenerationsC4 · C5 · C6 · C7 · C8
NHTSA recall campaigns37
Owner complaints5,188 at NHTSA
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations
Chevrolet Corvette generations
Five generations since the 1990 model year. The C6 (2005–2013) has the most owner complaints, the C7 (2014–2019) the most recall campaigns (11).
NHTSA has 37 campaigns on file for Corvette model years 1990–2026, and the 2005 shows up in more of them than any other year (6), ahead of the 1997 (5). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
2020
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Owner reports · NHTSA complaints
What Chevrolet Corvette owners report
Owner summaries + NHTSA data
Complaints peak with the 2008 (588 of 5,188). Tap any bar or generation.
5,188NHTSA complaints, 1990–2026
155mention a crash
44mention a fire
93injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearC8: 127 complaints · most for the 2020 (34)
The 2020 stands out. On its own it has 34 of the C8’s 127 complaints (27%), and owners across the generation name powertrain most often (29 mentions), then electrical system (25).
Top complaint areas · C7
Mentions in 686 complaints, 2014–2019.
Wheels467
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)52
Fuel system42
Steering33
Electrical system26
Engine and cooling26
Crashes 13Fires 2Injuries 15
2014–2019 (C7)
NHTSA data summary
Wheels owns this generation. Its 467 mentions are more than twice the next area, powertrain (52). Complaints peak with the 2017 (256 of 686).
Top complaint areas · C6
Mentions in 2,383 complaints, 2005–2013.
Fuel system838
Exterior lighting262
Electrical system252
Electronic stability control237
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)225
Engine and cooling198
Crashes 54Fires 19Injuries 27
2005–2013 (C6)
NHTSA data summary
Of all Corvette complaints, 46% are for the C6. Of the nine C6 model years, the 2008 (588) and 2005 (537) drew the most complaints. Owners across the generation name fuel system most often (838 mentions), then exterior lighting (262).
Top complaint areas · C5
Mentions in 1,800 complaints, 1997–2004.
Steering928
Fuel system250
Electrical system171
Brakes130
Engine and cooling95
Seat belts63
Crashes 65Fires 9Injuries 36
1997–2004 (C5)
NHTSA data summary
Complaints peak with the 1998 (399 of 1,800). Owners across the generation name steering most often (928 mentions), then fuel system (250).
Top complaint areas · C4
Mentions in 192 complaints, 1990–1996.
Electrical system34
Air bags24
Brakes24
Speed control / acceleration20
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)20
Seat belts18
Crashes 19Fires 9Injuries 8
1990–1996 (C4)
NHTSA data summary
Fires come up in 9 C4 complaints, or 4.7% against 0.8% for all Corvette model years, which is the highest rate of any generation. Complaints peak with the 1996 (44 of 192). By area, nothing stands out. Electrical system leads with 34, with the air bags (24) and the brakes (24) close behind. No other generation’s complaints mention crashes as often as the C4’s, at 19 of 192 (9.9%, against 3.0% across all Corvette model years).
What Corvette owners report across recent generations
Owner summary
2014–2019 (7th generation)
The 2017 and 2019 draw the most complaints, and most NHTSA reports describe cracked or bent wheels, often on cars with no sign of impact, along with vibration and slow tire leaks. CarComplaints also ranks cracked or bent rims first for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019, and lists transmission failure for 2015. Recalls cover electric power steering assist on some 2017 models that may fail, rear toe links on some 2015 models that may loosen and an air bag module fault on some 2019 models. [1][2][3][4]
2005–2013 (6th generation)
Complaints peak in 2005 and 2008 and drop sharply after that. Many NHTSA owners of the 2008 describe a strong gasoline smell in the cabin or garage, often traced to the fuel sending unit area. CarComplaints lists a strong fuel odor, a shifter stuck in Park and flashing ABS and traction control lights for 2008. Recalls cover a headlamp relay wire on 2005–2007 models that may break and cut the low beams. [5][6]
✓
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the power steering recall on 2017 models.
Inspect every wheel closely for cracks or bends, especially on the inner rim, and ask about tires that lose air.
On an older car, sniff for fuel odor in the cabin and trunk, and confirm the shifter leaves Park smoothly.
EPA lists 114 Corvette versions for model years 1990–2026 (gas and hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 426 g/mi (2016). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
C41990–1996
15–18 mpg · CO₂ 494–592 g/mi
C51997–2004
18–20 mpg · CO₂ 444–494 g/mi
C62005–2013
16–19 mpg · CO₂ 457–555 g/mi
C72014–2019
15–21 mpg · CO₂ 426–613 g/mi
C82020–2026
14–19 mpg · CO₂ 467–637 g/mi
2025
19combined MPG
471CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$4,350EPA yearly fuel cost
4/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
4/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: Corvette · Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 6.2 L — 19 MPG · 471 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
GasHybrid
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Compare rivals
Corvette vs Porsche 911 vs Ford Mustang
NHTSA + EPA data
Take 2020–2026. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the Corvette, against 19 for the Porsche 911 and 34 for the Ford Mustang. Pick a range to compare.
Chevrolet CorvetteC6
Model years 2005–2013
NHTSA recall campaigns
7
NHTSA owner complaints
2,383
EPA combined mpg
16–19
Engines (EPA)
8-cyl 6.0, 6.2, 7.0 L
Also listed
supercharged
Drive (EPA)
RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Fuel system 838
Exterior lighting 262
Electrical system 252
Porsche 911
Model years 2005–2013
NHTSA recall campaigns
7
NHTSA owner complaints
98
EPA combined mpg
15–23
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.4–4.0 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Engine and cooling 70
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 6
Exterior lighting 6
Ford Mustang
Model years 2005–2013
NHTSA recall campaigns
9
NHTSA owner complaints
4,053
EPA combined mpg
16–23
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.7, 4.0 L · 8-cyl 4.6–5.8 L
Also listed
supercharged
Drive (EPA)
RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Air bags 1,911
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 593
Electrical system 466
Chevrolet CorvetteC7
Model years 2014–2019
NHTSA recall campaigns
11
NHTSA owner complaints
686
EPA combined mpg
15–21
Engines (EPA)
8-cyl 6.2 L
Also listed
supercharged
Drive (EPA)
RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Wheels 467
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 52
Fuel system 42
Porsche 911
Model years 2014–2019
NHTSA recall campaigns
12
NHTSA owner complaints
26
EPA combined mpg
16–25
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.0–4.0 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Engine and cooling 7
Electrical system 7
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 5
Ford Mustang
Model years 2014–2019
NHTSA recall campaigns
24
NHTSA owner complaints
1,781
EPA combined mpg
16–25
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.3 L · 6-cyl 3.7 L · 8-cyl 5.0, 5.2, 5.8 L
Also listed
supercharged, turbo
Drive (EPA)
RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Engine and cooling 304
Air bags 295
Electrical system 249
Chevrolet CorvetteC8
Model years 2020–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
10
NHTSA owner complaints
127
EPA combined mpg
14–19
Engines (EPA)
8-cyl 5.5, 6.2 L
Also listed
hybrid, turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 29
Electrical system 25
Structure and body 14
Porsche 911
Model years 2020–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
19
NHTSA owner complaints
34
EPA combined mpg
15–21
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.0–4.0 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Fuel system 13
Engine and cooling 7
Electrical system 6
Ford Mustang
Model years 2020–2026
NHTSA recall campaigns
34
NHTSA owner complaints
348
EPA combined mpg
12–26
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.3 L · 8-cyl 5.0, 5.2 L
Also listed
turbo, supercharged
Drive (EPA)
RWD
Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)
Electrical system 91
Engine and cooling 58
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 50
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Chevrolet Corvette VIN number location
Where to find the VIN on a Corvette
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
On the C8 Corvette (2020-present), the mid-engine layout shifted the firewall stamp location rearward compared to the front-engine C7. The dashboard plate is still at the base of the driver's side windshield, but the engine compartment stamp is now behind the cabin rather than forward of it. The door sill label and a windshield-base etched number on newer models round out the check. The C8 generation starts with the 2020 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (L for 2020) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ
Common Chevrolet Corvette VIN questions
Which Chevrolet Corvette model years have the most owner complaints?
The 2008 leads with 588, ahead of the 2005 (537) and 2006 (413). Those first two alone make up 22% of the 5,188 Corvette complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
How many recalls has the Chevrolet Corvette had?
NHTSA’s recall records show 37 vehicle campaigns for model years 1990–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, C7 leads with 11. Then come the C8 (10), C6 (7), C5 (6) and C4 (3), and a campaign can span two generations.
Which Chevrolet Corvette recalls are high risk?
NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 90V-008, 92V-160, 97V-105, 05V-455 and 25V-536. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
Which Corvette generation am I looking at?
By US model year, the C4 is 1990–1996 and the C5 1997–2004. C6 spans 2005–2013, C7 2014–2019 and C8 2020–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (L is 2020).
What fuel economy does the Chevrolet Corvette get?
It varies. EPA rates the 2020–2026 C8 at 14–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 15–18 mpg for the 1990–1996 C4 (fueleconomy.gov).
How does the Chevrolet Corvette compare with the Porsche 911 and Ford Mustang on recalls?
For 2020–2026 models the Corvette has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Porsche 911 has 19, the Ford Mustang 34. Complaints run 127, 34 and 348 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
