The 1989 Chevrolet Corvette has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 277,802 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATIONS AND OCCUPANT USAGE CONDITIONS, THE SAFETY BELTS CAN LOCKUP OR JAM IN THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.
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.
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.
FRACTURE IN THIS ASSEMBLY COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
REPLACE FAULTY TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
“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”
“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…”
“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”
“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”
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.
There is no summary currently available
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Chevrolet Corvette as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.