1989 Chevrolet CORVETTE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
76,700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 10 complaints (10.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 1 |
| Structure:Body:Bumpers | 1 |
| Suspension:Rear:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly | 1 |
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 1; Structure:Body:Bumpers: 1; Suspension:Rear:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1995: 1; 1996: 1; 2000: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2013: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10037040 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037040 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083653 · 2005-02-18 (February 18, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10083653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10202785 · 2007-09-12 (September 12, 2007)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 149,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10202785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10505643 · 2013-04-09 (April 9, 2013)
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.…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10505643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10903215 · 2016-09-02 (September 2, 2016)
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 DISCONNEC…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10903215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501217 · 1996-01-30 (January 30, 1996)
CLUTCH EXPLODED, SHATTERING COMPONENTS OF THE FUEL/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 718898 · 2000-02-17 (February 17, 2000)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 718898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 764579 · 2002-07-22 (July 22, 2002)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 764579 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
90V032000 · Suspension:Rear:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly
Reported: 1990-02-12 (February 12, 1990)
REAR WHEEL TIE ROD ASSEMBLY MAY FATIGUE AND COULD FRACTURE AT THE INBOARD BEARING DUE TO HIGH INNER JOINT ROCKING TORQUE.
Consequence: FRACTURE IN THIS ASSEMBLY COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE FAULTY TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V143000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1991-09-04 (September 4, 1991)
UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATIONS AND OCCUPANT USAGE CONDITIONS, THE SAFETY BELTS CAN LOCKUP OR JAM IN THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗