RecallMyCar

1986 Chevrolet Corvette Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1986 Chevrolet Corvette, and owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
15
owner complaints to NHTSA
18
MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 1986 Chevrolet Corvette

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 91V143000 Reported 231,833 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

  2. Master cylinder (service brakes)

    NHTSA 86V120000 Reported 18,223 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Severe and unusual braking conditions may cause damage to the brake master cylinder center valve. Consequence of defect: if sufficient damage occurs, loss of front brakes may occur with increased pedal travel and reduced braking ability. The reduction of braking ability at a time when minimum stopping distance is required could result…

    Remedy: New master cylinder center valve and related parts will be installed.

  3. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 86V056000 Reported 93,317 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The push-pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out. Consequence of defect: sudden loss of the headlights under severe weather or nighttime driving conditions could reduce driver visibility which might result in a vehicle crash without…

    Remedy: Replace headlight switch as necessary.

15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1986 Chevrolet Corvette have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 55,667 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 4 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Seat belts don't tighten upon fast body movement or fast braking. They don't work properly.i had the belts replace at a chevrolet dealer, but they still don't work properly.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 21, 2017 · Seat belts

“Brakes lock up in rear front keeps spining was told my ABS module was bad unable to even find replacement.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 14, 2016 · Service brakes

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1986 Chevrolet Corvette (Corvette Convertible). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined18 mpg
City / Highway15 / 22
FuelRegular
EPA classTwo Seaters
Engine8 cyl, 5.7 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 4-spd

Compare Chevrolet Corvette model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Corvette model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1960 Chevrolet Corvette01
1964 Chevrolet Corvette01
1966 Chevrolet Corvette01
1968 Chevrolet Corvette10
1969 Chevrolet Corvette10
1974 Chevrolet Corvette10
1975 Chevrolet Corvette04
1976 Chevrolet Corvette01
1977 Chevrolet Corvette11
1978 Chevrolet Corvette01
1979 Chevrolet Corvette03
1980 Chevrolet Corvette03
1981 Chevrolet Corvette06
1984 Chevrolet Corvette514
1985 Chevrolet Corvette116
1986 Chevrolet Corvette315
1987 Chevrolet Corvette121
1988 Chevrolet Corvette316
1989 Chevrolet Corvette215
1990 Chevrolet Corvette234
1991 Chevrolet Corvette124
1992 Chevrolet Corvette17
1993 Chevrolet Corvette122
1994 Chevrolet Corvette029
1995 Chevrolet Corvette032
1996 Chevrolet Corvette044
1997 Chevrolet Corvette5153
1998 Chevrolet Corvette2399
1999 Chevrolet Corvette2308
2000 Chevrolet Corvette2278
2001 Chevrolet Corvette1203
2002 Chevrolet Corvette1157
2003 Chevrolet Corvette185
2004 Chevrolet Corvette2217
2005 Chevrolet Corvette6532
2006 Chevrolet Corvette5365
2007 Chevrolet Corvette2341
2008 Chevrolet Corvette0541
2009 Chevrolet Corvette0151
2010 Chevrolet Corvette084
2011 Chevrolet Corvette185
2012 Chevrolet Corvette156
2013 Chevrolet Corvette082
2014 Chevrolet Corvette562
2015 Chevrolet Corvette565
2016 Chevrolet Corvette2104
2017 Chevrolet Corvette4256
2018 Chevrolet Corvette151
2019 Chevrolet Corvette1148
2020 Chevrolet Corvette434
2021 Chevrolet Corvette213
2022 Chevrolet Corvette121
2023 Chevrolet Corvette126
2024 Chevrolet Corvette221
2025 Chevrolet Corvette311

Checking a specific 1986 Chevrolet Corvette

How do I know if my 1986 Chevrolet Corvette has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1986 Chevrolet Corvette; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 86V056000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Chevrolet models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.