1989 Chevrolet Corvette Problems
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 76,700miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- 18 mpgcombined, 5.7L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Chevrolet Corvette (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet Corvette. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (20% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and seat belts (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 76,700 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation 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.
- Brakes3 20%
- Electrical system2 13%
- Seat belts2 13%
- Suspension2 13%
- Other or unknown1 6.7%
- Steering1 6.7%
- Body and structure1 6.7%
- Tires1 6.7%
Example complaints
Brakes: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #842843, filed 1999-09Electrical system: “Igniton key can get dirty or soiled which can make the computer chip to malfunction. Vehcile will turn on and then turn off and stay off. When this happens, consumer has to wait for about 4-30 minutes before consumer can retry. This info can also be located in the car manual. Dealer cannot explain problem. This is a intermittent problem which can result in an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #819004, filed 1997-11Seat belts: “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 updated 10/19/16.”
NHTSA complaint #10903215, filed 2016-09, 65,000 milesSuspension: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10037040, filed 2003-09Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,000 and 149,000 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 1989 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 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Corvette RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Corvette Convertible RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Corvette Convertible RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
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.
- 90V032000Feb 12, 1990Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assemblyCovers: Chevrolet Corvette 1988–1989
Rear wheel tie rod assembly may fatigue and could fracture at the inboard bearing due to high inner joint rocking torque.
Recall details for the 1989 Chevrolet Corvette → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 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 1989 Chevrolet Corvette have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1989 Chevrolet Corvette as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Chevrolet Corvette is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (20% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1989 Chevrolet Corvette been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Chevrolet Corvette get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Chevrolet Corvette (Corvette, 5.7L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Chevrolet Corvette reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 76,700 miles and the middle half falls between 65,000 and 149,000 miles; 0% 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.