1990 Chevrolet Corvette: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 34 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (42% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The Seatbelt Retractors failed per both of the safety belt recalls. The belts no longer function and GM refuses to provide a remedy to clear the safety recall.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2023
“Gm ordered the incorrect seat belts which would satisfy the recall. They've ignored my phone calls and emails. According to my findings gm must either satisfy the recall or provide me with a suitable vehicle which is safe to drive.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2016
“My wife and I were driving down 1-20 at 70 mph when the driver side airbag deployed for no reason known to us. I was driving and was able to keep the car under control and get it stopped. The airbag injured my left arm and my chest. It filled the interior with smoke, which affected our breathing (my wife has asthma) and vision.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“I purchased the vehicle listed above in dec. 2012. I recently took it to a chevrolet dealer for service who at that time ran it through their database to see if there were any outstanding recalls. In 1990 a recall was issued for the driver's side seat belt not working as expected. When they checked with the manufacturer they were informed that the replacement part was no longer in production so therefore could not be replaced. My question is should the manufacturer still be responsible for fixing the defective part or has the recall expired on this issue? Thank you for your time concerning this matter. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2014
“When attempting to seat belt my self into my corvette the driver side seat belt upper harness would not release and attach to the bottom of the belt clasp. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1990 chevrolet corvette. While driving various speeds, the air bag and seat belt warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2012
“Computer that controls the air bag restrain system has malfunction. A light has come on the dash. I can't seem to get a replacement part. I have contact gm . Appears gm. Does not have a vendor to supply the part. Gm customer service 800-222-1020 ext 57379 service number c04306084. My concern is the air bag according to gm could deploy at any time. How many additonal cars that gm makes has the same computer module that today is not available. I can't seem to get them concern.their comment to me is it will only inflate for 20 seconds. 20 seconds is a long time driving on the interstate. This is a major safety concern.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2001
“During the lifetime of the vehicle I have had to replace the airbag sensors at least 5 times. Others have complained about this same problem yet gm does not acknowledge the defect.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2000
“I've read that there is a grounding issue in the air bag with this type/year vehicle causing warning light to come on and possible shut down or the system. Is this a known safety issue? *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2000
“Air bag warning light keep flashing. The consumer was told by a mechanic that there were bad connector on the air bag. Dealer has been contacted. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 1996
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATIONS AND OCCUPANT USAGE CONDITIONS, THE SAFETY BELTS CAN LOCKUP OR JAM IN THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE LOCKUP OCCURS.
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
FUEL FEED AND RETURN LINE CONNECTORS HAVE INCORRECT LINE END FLARE CONFIGURATIONS.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW FUEL LINES WITH CORRECT END FLARE CONFIGURATION.
How other years compare
Check your exact Corvette by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
NHTSA has 34 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette. The most complained-about area is air bags (42% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Chevrolet Corvette problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 57,999 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:anchorage. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.