Skip to content
Trimslate
SavedHelp

1986 Chevrolet

Corvette

Man 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L

Chevrolet Corvette: best and worst years

Recalls NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

91V143000 Sep 4, 1991 SEAT BELTSUNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATIONS AND OCCUPANT USAGE CONDITIONS, THE SAFETY BELTS CAN LOCKUP OR JAM IN THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.

Summary: UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATIONS AND OCCUPANT USAGE CONDITIONS, THE SAFETY BELTS CAN LOCKUP OR JAM IN THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.

Consequence: IF LOCKUP OCCURS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL BELT OUT OFTHE RETRACTOR. THE OCCUPANT OF A SEAT WITH AN UNUSABLE SAFETY BELT ISSUBJECT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE LOCKUP OCCURS.

Vehicles covered (all models): 231,833

Full notice
86V120000 Aug 26, 1986 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICSEVERE AND UNUSUAL BRAKING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CENTER VALVE.

Summary: 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 IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: NEW MASTER CYLINDER CENTER VALVE AND RELATED PARTS WILL BE INSTALLED.

Vehicles covered (all models): 18,223

Full notice
86V056000 Apr 28, 1986 EXTERIOR LIGHTINGTHE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT.

Summary: 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 PRIOR WARNING. NOTE: ALSO, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 86V131000.

Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

Vehicles covered (all models): 93,317

Full notice

Source: NHTSA

Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • SEAT BELTS47%
  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC40%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7%
  • SERVICE BRAKES7%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 15 total.

Chevrolet Corvette: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • DP96006opened May 14, 1996SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

    BRAKE PULL

  • EA92005opened Jan 30, 1992VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

    THROTTLE STICKING

  • EA90033opened Jun 11, 1990SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

    SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR FAIL

  • PE90041opened Feb 8, 1990SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

    SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR FAIL

  • PE90032opened Jan 12, 1990SUSPENSION

    TIE ROD SOCKET FAILURE

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
3 yr / 36k mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60k mi
Maintenance
1 yr / 12k mi
EV battery
8 yr / 100k mi

Source: www.gmfleet.com as of 2026-06

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.