1987 Chevrolet Corvette problems & reliability
21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1987 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles were involved in 2 fatal crashes with 2 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts → | 13 | 62% |
| Electrical System | 3 | 14% |
| Steering | 2 | 10% |
| Suspension | 2 | 10% |
| Seats | 1 | 5% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 5% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 1987 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the driver's seat belt was inoperable and would not pull out of the retractor. Seaview buick gmc (17909 hwy 99, lynnwood, wa 98037, (425) 742-1920) was contacted, but could not check for recalls because the vin could not be looked up in their…”
Seat Belts · filed Oct 8, 2019
“Both left and right seatbelts are jammed an unuseable. Rear suspension, bearing making noises. Seat controls drivers side inoperable”
Suspension · filed Dec 1, 2018
“Gm will not honor the recall for two (2) recalls - 91c25 & 91c26 safety belt retractors that are jammed.”
Seat Belts · filed Apr 3, 2017
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- BRAKE PULL
Defect Petition DP96006 · opened May 14, 1996 · closed Oct 18, 1996
- THROTTLE STICKING
Engineering Analysis EA92005 · opened Jan 30, 1992 · closed Jan 29, 1993
- SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR FAIL
Engineering Analysis EA90033 · opened Jun 11, 1990 · closed Sep 9, 1991 · led to recall 91V143000
- SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR FAIL
Preliminary Evaluation PE90041 · opened Feb 8, 1990 · closed Jun 11, 1990
- TIE ROD SOCKET FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE90032 · opened Jan 12, 1990 · closed Mar 22, 1990 · led to recall 90V032000
Technical service bulletins
2 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette.
No serial data communications using the tech 1 with a 1986 or newer camaro, firebird or corvette with a 5.0 or 5.7 litre engine. Sit bulletin 1450640. *tt
01697 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Rear lift window hard to open/hinge loose to glass. *tw
9313110 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 1993
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1987 Chevrolet Corvette in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1987 Chevrolet Corvette?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.