1988 Chevrolet Corvette
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Corvette › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Chevrolet Corvette. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1988 Chevrolet Corvette. Newest first.
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. the affected filters are marked with a date code a61451 through a72571 sequentially. the date code and part number appear on the filter housing. fram racing…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition may cause inadequate sealing and loss of engine oil, possibly resulting in a fire.
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.
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 manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
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).
Under certain vehicle operations and occupant usage conditions, the safety belts can lockup or jam in the safety belt retractor.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Rear wheel tie rod assembly may fatigue and could fracture at the inboard bearing due to high inner joint rocking torque.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fracture in this assembly could result in loss of vehicle control and a crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Replace faulty tie rod assemblies.
Missing weld that attaches wheel center to the rim could allow wheel center to separate from the rim.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could result in partial loss of steering controland brakes, loss of tire air pressure, and sudden change in vehicle direction,which could result in crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Replace wheels with missing welds.
Owner complaints
16 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts
the seatbelts on my vehicle will not retract leaving the seatbelt loose on the occupants resulting a injuries if the vehicle were to be involved in a collision, I have contacted GM, they have refused to fix the vehicle due to its age.
- Seat belts
the seat belts will not retract leaving the driver and passenger seat belts loose while wearing them, the vehicle has an open recall for this issue, I have contacted GM about the issue and they put me in touch with a dealer, after some back and forth for several months the dealer indicated that GM…
the seat belts will not retract leaving the driver and passenger seat belts loose while wearing them, the vehicle has an open recall for this issue, I have contacted GM about the issue and they put me in touch with a dealer, after some back and forth for several months the dealer indicated that GM will not be fixing this issue as parts are no longer available through GM, I authorized them to use aftermarket parts to get the vehicle repaired, after several supposed attempts they claim they cannot get the correct parts and they stated they will not be doing the safety recall on my vehicle. I have done the research, parts are offered by many suppliers and are readily available. GM just doesn't want to step up and take responsibility because the vehicle is 35 years old
- Seat belts
This vehicle is included in a seat belt recall, the seat belts do not retract. I have attempted to contact dealer for repairs, they stated they would have to do some research on the recall and get back to me. This has not happened, they vehicle is inoperable due to the faulty seat belts
- Seat belts
In June 2020 my mechanic ran a recall check while performing my inspection. It showed 2 outstanding recalls for left and right seat belt retractor failures. I called 3 local Chevy dealers to set up a repair, and no one wanted to touch the vehicle. They all said to call GM. For the next few…
In June 2020 my mechanic ran a recall check while performing my inspection. It showed 2 outstanding recalls for left and right seat belt retractor failures. I called 3 local Chevy dealers to set up a repair, and no one wanted to touch the vehicle. They all said to call GM. For the next few months I went back and forth with GM to set up repairs. They set up a reference number-9-6244952226. In a nutshell, they finally advised that they only repair recalls for a certain amount of time and I was out of luck because they no longer had the equipment in stock for repairs. I questioned why not just remove the 1988 seat belt retractors and retrofit retractors from a later model. They did not see my reasoning. I did not pursue this in 2021 due to covid, but I am driving the vehicle now and would like to make it safe. Can you help me? The recall numbers are N910058 and N910059. Thank you.
- Seat belts
Contacted the manufacturer on the open seat belt recall. They stated they no longer make the seat belt and I am on my own to fix the recall. Seat belts are failing as per the recall and are no longer safe to operate.
- Seat belts
Seatbelts are not working correctly. passenger side IS locked and will not release. driver side works but when I hit the brakes the belt did not lock.
- Seat belts
TL* the contact owns a 1988 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the contact was almost involved in a crash and made an abrupt stop. The driver and passenger were pushed forward and were not held in position on the seats. Neither the contact nor the passenger sustained…
TL* the contact owns a 1988 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the contact was almost involved in a crash and made an abrupt stop. The driver and passenger were pushed forward and were not held in position on the seats. Neither the contact nor the passenger sustained any injuries. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign ID number: 91v143000 (seat belts:front:anchorage) and the vehicle was taken to dealer who rebuilt the seat belt and corrected the problem. The failure recurred however. The contact stated that the seat belt did not retract or provide restraint. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem who stated that the failure would be investigated. The current mileage was 50,000. The failure mileage was 5,000.
- Suspension › Rear
Hello, my car IS an 88 corvette. I brought it out this week to get it inspected. I has been garaged all winter. Before taking it to the inspection place I took it for a short ride. Taking a slight curve I noticed it seemed a flat tire. Found the problem to be a broken rear left tire rod bar.…
Hello, my car IS an 88 corvette. I brought it out this week to get it inspected. I has been garaged all winter. Before taking it to the inspection place I took it for a short ride. Taking a slight curve I noticed it seemed a flat tire. Found the problem to be a broken rear left tire rod bar. Couldn't believe that broke? After checking on the internet I see that was a problem and in some cases accidents occurred. I e-mailed gm about this problem and have yet to get an answer back and my car IS still not usable. *Tr
- Electrical system › Wiring
1988 chevrolet corvette caught fire under the driver seat motor due to a shorted wire. *kb the consumer stated there was only smoke that emitted from the seat, which was put out with a fire extinguisher. Ohio traffic crash report. *Jb
- Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Dt: the contact received recall 89c17 on 08/05/2005 concerning tie rod assembly. and gm was unable to remedy the problem within 5 days. the vehicle was unsafe to drive, but the dealership refused to acknowledge it, and gm supported the dealership. he contacted the dealer on 8-8-05. they were…
Dt: the contact received recall 89c17 on 08/05/2005 concerning tie rod assembly. and gm was unable to remedy the problem within 5 days. the vehicle was unsafe to drive, but the dealership refused to acknowledge it, and gm supported the dealership. he contacted the dealer on 8-8-05. they were unable to review his car until 8-18-05. They could not remedy the problem until 8-30-05. The recall concerned a defect in the rear wheel tire rod assembly that may fatigue or fracture, which could result in loss of vehicle control or/and crash. This happened on 7-25-05, and he lost control of the car. both the dealership and gm were telling him the car was safe to drive. *ak
- Electrical system
Dt: contact states there was a melt down in the fuel cell. there IS a switch that could not be identified by the local service dealer. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Equipment › Electrical · Power train › Manual transmission · Seats · Service brakes, hydraulic
Problems with oil leaks, driver seat was broken and electric antenna stopped working.*mr three weeks after having purchased the car the transmission went out as well. The consumer had to pay $2500.00 for a new transmission. the dealership denied him of a warranty after being promised one. The…
Problems with oil leaks, driver seat was broken and electric antenna stopped working.*mr three weeks after having purchased the car the transmission went out as well. The consumer had to pay $2500.00 for a new transmission. the dealership denied him of a warranty after being promised one. The consumer stated no one informed him that the vehicle needed brakes, a new clutch, valve covers, gaskets, intake gaskets and transmission seals. *cb *jb
- Exterior lighting › Headlights · Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
The seat belt was getting caught in the retractor, consumer replaced the seat belt and the problem started to happen again. *mjs
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Power train › Clutch assembly · Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist · Vehicle speed control
No summary
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Alternator failed repeatedly, causing vehicle to stall/loss of electrical power. Also, ABS brakes failed. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust
Power seat failure, overheating and causing electrical short due a faulty wiring harness under the seat. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Brake pull
The petitions stated that:we represent the owner of a 1990 chevrolet corvette which, when the brakes were applied, suddently, violently, and unexpectedly pulls to the left.this IS a intermittent defect which does not occur with an regularity.
- Throttle sticking
There is no summary currently available
- Tie rod socket failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10006297No 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.
- 39547Rear lift window hard to open/hinge loose to glass.
Every Chevrolet Corvette model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.