MYRModel Year Report

1981 Chevrolet Corvette

○ Not enough data
1981 Chevrolet Corvette
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:33:10.343Z

Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
6

Too few to rank

Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1981

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1980: 3 complaints 1981: 6 complaints 1981 6 1982: 0 complaints 1984: 14 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 15 complaints 1987: 21 complaints 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 15 complaints 1990: 34 complaints 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 7 complaints 1993: 22 complaints 1993 1994: 29 complaints 1995: 32 complaints 1996: 44 complaints 1997: 153 complaints 1998: 399 complaints 1999: 308 complaints 1999 2000: 278 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 157 complaints 2003: 85 complaints 2004: 217 complaints 2005: 533 complaints 2005 2006: 365 complaints 2007: 341 complaints 2008: 541 complaints 2009: 151 complaints 2010: 84 complaints 2011: 85 complaints 2011 2012: 56 complaints 2013: 82 complaints 2014: 63 complaints 2015: 64 complaints 2016: 105 complaints 2017: 257 complaints 2017 2018: 51 complaints 2019: 148 complaints 2020: 34 complaints 2021: 13 complaints 2022: 21 complaints 2023: 27 complaints 2023 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 11 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1981: 6 complaints 1981 6 1982: 0 complaints 1984: 14 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 15 complaints 1987: 21 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 15 complaints 1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 7 complaints 1993: 22 complaints 1993 1994: 29 complaints 1995: 32 complaints 1996: 44 complaints 1996 1997: 153 complaints 1998: 399 complaints 1999: 308 complaints 1999 2000: 278 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 157 complaints 2002 2003: 85 complaints 2004: 217 complaints 2005: 533 complaints 2005 2006: 365 complaints 2007: 341 complaints 2008: 541 complaints 2008 2009: 151 complaints 2010: 84 complaints 2011: 85 complaints 2011 2012: 56 complaints 2013: 82 complaints 2014: 63 complaints 2014 2015: 64 complaints 2016: 105 complaints 2017: 257 complaints 2017 2018: 51 complaints 2019: 148 complaints 2020: 34 complaints 2020 2021: 13 complaints 2022: 21 complaints 2023: 27 complaints 2023 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 11 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1981: 6 complaints 1981 6 1982: 0 complaints 1984: 14 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1985 1986: 15 complaints 1987: 21 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 15 complaints 1989 1990: 34 complaints 1991: 24 complaints 1991 1992: 7 complaints 1993: 22 complaints 1993 1994: 29 complaints 1995: 32 complaints 1995 1996: 44 complaints 1997: 153 complaints 1997 1998: 399 complaints 1999: 308 complaints 1999 2000: 278 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2001 2002: 157 complaints 2003: 85 complaints 2003 2004: 217 complaints 2005: 533 complaints 2005 2006: 365 complaints 2007: 341 complaints 2007 2008: 541 complaints 2009: 151 complaints 2009 2010: 84 complaints 2011: 85 complaints 2011 2012: 56 complaints 2013: 82 complaints 2013 2014: 63 complaints 2015: 64 complaints 2015 2016: 105 complaints 2017: 257 complaints 2017 2018: 51 complaints 2019: 148 complaints 2019 2020: 34 complaints 2021: 13 complaints 2021 2022: 21 complaints 2023: 27 complaints 2023 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 11 complaints 2025

1981: 6 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19803
19816
19820
198414
198516
198615
198721
198816
198915
199034
199124
19927
199322
199429
199532
199644
1997153
1998399
1999308
2000278
2001205
2002157
200385
2004217
2005533
2006365
2007341
2008541
2009151
201084
201185
201256
201382
201463
201564
2016105
2017257
201851
2019148
202034
202113
202221
202327
202421
202511

Known problem areas

Only 6 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Fuel system, gasoline

4 of 6 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline, most commonly citing tank assembly.

Show complaint excerpts

Fuel tank's plastic liner cracked in the front lower corners causing the fuel tank's outer steel shell to rust and cause a leak.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-01-26

Also filed under Power train

Fuel tank's plastic liner cracked in the front lower corners causing the fuel tank's outer steel shell to rust and cause a leak.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-01-26

Power train

3 of 6 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing automatic transmission.

Wheels

1 of 6 total reports mentions: wheels.

Show complaint excerpts

I've had an upper control arm bolt come out 4 times on my car causing the wheel to tuck under the car. I also had a lower control arm bolt come out once. I've been lucky, it's always happened when I was turning around or going slow.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-12-18

Also filed under Suspension and steering

Suspension

1 of 6 total reports mentions: suspension.

Steering

1 of 6 total reports mentions: steering.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2003-05-01Service brakes, air03E032000 Remanufacturerd rear brake calipers, part nos. 18-7019, 18-7020, 16-7019, and 16-7020, manufactured from February 1, 2002, to April, 25, 2003., and for use on 1965 thru 1982 Chevrolet corvettes.…

    Remedy: Cardone will notify its customers and all unsold inventory will be repurchased and will provide a full refund to customers. Owner notification is expected to begin during May 2003. Owners who take…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2007-11-08Equipment07E088000 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.…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1981 Chevrolet Corvette — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel system, gasoline: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Wheels: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03E032000 · Service brakes, air
  • Recall 07E088000 · Equipment
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1981 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1981 Chevrolet Corvette?
The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 67% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1981 Chevrolet Corvette have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.