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1990 Chevrolet Corvette problems

The most common problem on the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette is airbags. It has fewer complaints than a typical Corvette model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
34
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
4
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
15-18mpg

The worst 1990 Chevrolet Corvette problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    16
  • Seat belts
    8
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Brakes
    2
  • Electrical
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    16
  • Seat belts
    8
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Brakes
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Seats
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 2

Seat belts: front: anchorageReported September 4, 1991 · 231,833 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Under certain vehicle operations and occupant usage conditions, the safety belts can lockup or jam in the safety belt retractor.
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.

Recall number 91V143000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported January 22, 1990 · 213 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Fuel feed and return line connectors have incorrect line end flare configurations.
Risk
Line ends could crack causing a fuel leak that could result in an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Install new fuel lines with correct end flare configuration.

Recall number 90V008000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette

Defect investigations

Brake pullOpened May 14, 1996, closed October 18, 1996

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.

DP96006

Airbag failed to deployOpened May 22, 1992, closed October 29, 1992

Airbag failed to deploy

DP92011

Parking brake failureOpened February 6, 1990, closed June 11, 1990

There is no summary currently available

PE90040

Under dash fireOpened February 2, 1990, closed May 7, 1990

There is no summary currently available

PE90038

Tie rod socket failureOpened January 12, 1990, closed March 22, 1990

There is no summary currently available

PE90032

Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette 4

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

1990 Chevrolet Corvette fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
5.7L 8‑cylRWD13-1520-2315-18

What 1990 Chevrolet Corvette owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 20, 2023 · Seat belts · TX

The Seatbelt Retractors failed per both of the safety belt recalls. The belts no longer function and GM refuses to provide a remedy to clear the safety recall.

Filed Mar 20, 2019 · Seat belts · 56,000 miles · NJ

Gm ordered the incorrect seat belts which would satisfy the recall. They've ignored my phone calls and emails. According to my findings gm must either satisfy the recall or provide me with a suitable vehicle which is safe to drive.

Filed Oct 6, 2016 · Seat belts · 50,000 miles · AZ

I have called several different dealers and they say they cannot get the parts needed to replace my seat belts.

Filed Sep 9, 2016 · Airbags, Seat belts · 100,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 1990 chevrolet corvette. While driving various speeds, the air bag and seat belt warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jun 7, 2015 · Airbags · 23,767 miles · SC · 1 injury

My wife and I were driving down 1-20 at 70 MPH when the driver side airbag deployed for no reason known to us. I was driving and was able to keep the car under control and get it stopped. The airbag injured my left arm and my chest. It filled the interior with smoke, which affected our breathing (my wife has asthma) and vision.

Filed Aug 7, 2014 · Seat belts · NH

I purchased the vehicle listed above in dec. 2012. I recently took it to a chevrolet dealer for service who at that time ran it through their database to see if there were any outstanding recalls. In 1990 a recall was issued for the driver's side seat belt not working as expected. When they checked with the manufacturer they were informed that the replacement part was no longer in production so therefore could not be replaced. My question is should the manufacturer still be responsible for fixing the defective part or has the recall expired on this issue? Thank you for your time concerning this matter.

Filed May 24, 2014 · Seat belts · 88,000 miles · MI

When attempting to seat belt my self into my corvette the driver side seat belt upper harness would not release and attach to the bottom of the belt clasp.

Filed Sep 24, 2010 · Visibility · TX

Windshield delamination.

Filed Apr 4, 2007 · Seat belts, Seats · 59,998 miles · PA

Problem: I have a 1990 chevy corvette and the safety belt on the drives side of car has "lockup or jammed" in the safety belt retractor. Consequence summary: if lockup occurs, it is impossible to pull belt out of the retractor. The occupant of a seat with an unusable safety belt is subject to increased risk of injury or death in the event of a sudden stop or accident. Corrective summary: replace the safety belts if the lockup occurs. Campaign number: 91v143000 date: 1991-sep-04 component: seat belts: front: anchorage campaign number: 91v143000 date: 1991-sep-04 component: seat belts: front: anchorage. I when to chevorlet in wilkes barre, pa and they told me my car was not part of the recall and would not fix the defective safety belt retractor free of charge. I understand, (correct me if I am wrong) than the manufacturer must replace it free of charge as it is a defective safety device on the vehicle. I find it odd that there was a recall of this part, but my car was not part of the recall. That was $154 plus labor to replace the safety belt retractor.

Filed Mar 5, 2003 · Electrical · PA

The diagnostic energy reserve module malfunctioned. Consumer requested assistance in reimbursement. *tt *jb

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Compare the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette

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Other model years

199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025

Questions about the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette

Is the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?

Owners have filed 34 complaints about the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette, fewer than a typical Corvette model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette?

Airbags, with 16 complaints. Next is seat belts (8).

How many recalls does the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette have?

2 recalls, covering seat belts and fuel system, gasoline.

What year does the Chevrolet Corvette have bad airbags?

The Chevrolet Corvette model years with the most airbags complaints are 2005 (44 complaints), 2007 (26 complaints) and 2008 (24 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette get?

Official estimates for the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette range from 15 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.7L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 13-15 city and 20-23 highway.

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