1987 Chevrolet Corvette
Only 21 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 21 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 21
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 5
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 1987
Opened by NHTSA
Not enough data
Complaints per year
1987: 21 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 3 |
| 1981 | 6 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1984 | 14 |
| 1985 | 16 |
| 1986 | 15 |
| 1987 | 21 |
| 1988 | 16 |
| 1989 | 15 |
| 1990 | 34 |
| 1991 | 24 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1993 | 22 |
| 1994 | 29 |
| 1995 | 32 |
| 1996 | 44 |
| 1997 | 153 |
| 1998 | 399 |
| 1999 | 308 |
| 2000 | 278 |
| 2001 | 205 |
| 2002 | 157 |
| 2003 | 85 |
| 2004 | 217 |
| 2005 | 533 |
| 2006 | 365 |
| 2007 | 341 |
| 2008 | 541 |
| 2009 | 151 |
| 2010 | 84 |
| 2011 | 85 |
| 2012 | 56 |
| 2013 | 82 |
| 2014 | 63 |
| 2015 | 64 |
| 2016 | 105 |
| 2017 | 257 |
| 2018 | 51 |
| 2019 | 148 |
| 2020 | 34 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 11 |
Known problem areas
Only 21 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Seat belts
15 of 21 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.
Show complaint excerpts
Both left and right seatbelts are jammed an unuseable. Rear suspension, bearing making noises. Seat controls drivers side inoperable
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-12-01
Also filed under Suspension and seats
Tl* the contact owns a 1987 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the seat belt retractor failed on the driver's and passenger's seats. The contact was unable to exit the seat belt on various occasions.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-21
Tl* the contact owns a 1987 Chevrolet Corvette kit Z52. The contact stated both front seat belts failed to open on separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-11
Electrical system
3 of 21 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing ignition and front underhood.
Show complaint excerpts
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 ODI report, 2000-05-04
The computer chip in the ignition key is causing the vehicle to cut off in traffic and the computer is not reading the key.
NHTSA ODI report, 1996-07-31
Steering
2 of 21 total reports mention: steering, most commonly citing rack and pinion.
Show complaint excerpts
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 ODI report, 2003-02-21
Suspension
2 of 21 total reports mention: suspension, most commonly citing leaf spring assembly.
Vehicle speed control
1 of 21 total reports mentions: vehicle speed control, most commonly citing cruise control.
Show complaint excerpts
Intermittently vehicle began to rapidly accelerate when was low motion, consumer immediately had to turn off the ignition switch to stop the vehicle. Dealership indicated to the consumer we never heard a problem like this one, call NHTSA.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-08-11
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
I
1990-01-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-03-22 Tie rod socket failure
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I
1990-02-08Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-06-11 Safety belt retractor fail
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I
1990-06-11Engineering analysisClosed 1991-09-09 Safety belt retractor fail
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R
1991-10-25Seat belts91V143000 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.
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I
1992-01-30Engineering analysisClosed 1993-01-29 Throttle sticking
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I
1996-05-14Defect petitionClosed 1996-10-18 Brake pull
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R
2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…
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).
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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.
Buy-smart checklist
1987 Chevrolet Corvette — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Seat belts: 15 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 3 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 2 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 91V143000 · Seat belts
- Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 07E088000 · Equipment
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1987 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 1987 Chevrolet Corvette?
- The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 71% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette have?
- 3 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.