1987 Chevrolet Corvette Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles, 10 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 5.7L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette. The part named most often is seat belts, with 13 complaints (62% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and steering (2). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 10% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 99,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the anchorage and 2 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts13 62%
- Electrical system3 14%
- Steering2 9.5%
- Suspension2 9.5%
- Brakes1 4.8%
- Seats1 4.8%
- Vehicle speed control1 4.8%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “I had about a 2 hour drive and when I arrived at my destination I attempted to exit the car the drivers side seat belt tightened up and would not release I could not get out of the vehicle till I found a 12 in screwdriver to pry the seatbelt tensioner apart to release the belt it an older car and things happen but that is just as dangerous as not having a seat belt on I just found out that there was a recall but I can't find if there is an end date .if if I can get replacements I will replace both red seat belts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10870238, filed 2016-05, 80 milesElectrical system: “Vehicle had been turned off for a 1/2 an hour. Consumer was notified that smoke was coming form front hood. Parts were taken to be investigated. Dealer will be contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #861411, filed 2000-05Steering: “Front steering locks up . After car warms up it's fine ..I understand that there is a recall on later modle year Corvette . Same problem for all 1987's I have look at . They GM needs to recall all 1987 Corvette and fix this steering problem .”
NHTSA complaint #10007942, filed 2003-02Mileage when problems were reported
10% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 82,000 and 124,376 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 Chevrolet Corvette version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corvette RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Corvette Convertible RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 91V143000Sep 4, 1991Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Chevrolet Corvette 1984–1991
Under certain vehicle operations and occupant usage conditions, the safety belts can lockup or jam in the safety belt retractor.
Recall details for the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- DP96006BRAKE PULLClosed · May 14, 1996
- EA90033Safety belt retractor failClosed · Jun 11, 1990
- PE90041Safety belt retractor failClosed · Feb 8, 1990
- PE90032Tie rod socket failureClosed · Jan 12, 1990
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Corvette
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 25 | 3 | — | 14 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 21 | 500 | 2 | — | 15 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 27 | 812 | 1 | — | 15 | 43 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 21 | 9,250 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 2021 | 13 | 12,500 | 2 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 34 | 1,100 | 4 | — | 19 | 69 · More | Falling |
| 2019 | 148 | 7,953 | 1 | — | 17 | 99 · More | Falling |
| 2018 | 51 | 10,000 | 1 | — | 18 | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2017 | 257 | 14,000 | 4 | — | 19 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2016 | 104 | 14,500 | 2 | — | 20 | 69 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 65 | 12,000 | 5 | — | 20 | 69 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 63 | 7,700 | 5 | — | 21 | 73 · More | Stable |
| 2013 | 82 | 18,250 | 0 | — | 18 | 24 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 56 | 25,000 | 1 | — | 18 | 22 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2011 | 85 | 28,900 | 1 | — | 18 | 22 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 84 | 35,202 | 0 | — | 18 | 10 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 151 | 38,500 | 0 | — | 18 | 35 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 541 | 48,300 | 0 | — | 18 | 48 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 341 | 43,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 365 | 36,750 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 533 | 40,000 | 6 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 217 | 33,100 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 85 | 30,544 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 157 | 42,500 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 205 | 42,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 278 | 39,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 308 | 45,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 399 | 46,140 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 153 | 42,258 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 44 | 100,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 32 | 94,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 29 | 92,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 22 | 77,452 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Falling |
| 1992 | 7 | 34,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 24 | 89,450 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Falling |
| 1990 | 34 | 57,999 | 2 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1989 | 15 | 76,700 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 16 | 57,000 | 3 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 21 | 99,000 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 15 | 83,200 | 3 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 16 | 92,000 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 14 | 94,000 | 5 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 1981 | 6 | 84,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Corvette model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 13 complaints (62% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette (Corvette, 5.7L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette reported?
Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 99,000 miles and the middle half falls between 82,000 and 124,376 miles; 10% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.