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Chevrolet Corvette — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Chevrolet Corvette model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
62
Years to Avoid
2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
Best Years
1982, 1980, 1978, 1976, 1975, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965, 1964, 1960
2025
13 complaints3 recalls315 TSBs
2024
32 complaints2 recalls499 TSBs
2023
38 complaints1 recalls652 TSBs
2022
24 complaints1 recalls681 TSBs
2021
17 complaints2 recalls769 TSBs
2020Avoid
43 complaints4 recalls922 TSBs
2019
153 complaints1 recalls791 TSBs
2018Avoid
53 complaints1 recalls1010 TSBs
2017Avoid
274 complaints4 recalls1271 TSBs
2016Avoid
115 complaints2 recalls1463 TSBs
2015Avoid
73 complaints5 recalls1823 TSBs
2014Avoid
81 complaints5 recalls1 invest.1985 TSBs
2013Avoid
94 complaints0 recalls1437 TSBs
2012Avoid
71 complaints1 recalls1380 TSBs
2011Avoid
99 complaints1 recalls1303 TSBs
2010Avoid
90 complaints0 recalls1261 TSBs
2009Avoid
178 complaints0 recalls1091 TSBs
2008Avoid
626 complaints0 recalls1029 TSBs
2007Avoid
435 complaints2 recalls2 invest.952 TSBs
2006Avoid
441 complaints5 recalls4 invest.830 TSBs
2005Avoid
718 complaints6 recalls4 invest.713 TSBs
2004
257 complaints4 recalls2 invest.480 TSBs
2003
127 complaints3 recalls1 invest.456 TSBs
2002
191 complaints3 recalls1 invest.430 TSBs
2001
283 complaints3 recalls2 invest.402 TSBs
2000
360 complaints4 recalls3 invest.359 TSBs
1999
389 complaints4 recalls5 invest.151 TSBs
1998
466 complaints4 recalls5 invest.152 TSBs
1997
196 complaints7 recalls4 invest.134 TSBs
1996
63 complaints1 recalls2 invest.30 TSBs
1995
48 complaints1 recalls1 invest.32 TSBs
1994
38 complaints1 recalls2 invest.10 TSBs
1993
26 complaints2 recalls1 invest.6 TSBs
1992
8 complaints2 recalls2 invest.5 TSBs
1991
28 complaints3 recalls1 invest.4 TSBs
1990
41 complaints4 recalls5 invest.4 TSBs
1989
15 complaints4 recalls2 invest.3 TSBs
1988
26 complaints5 recalls3 invest.2 TSBs
1987
25 complaints3 recalls5 invest.2 TSBs
1986
16 complaints5 recalls5 invest.2 TSBs
1985
16 complaints3 recalls4 invest.1 TSBs
1984
16 complaints6 recalls2 invest.1 TSBs
1982Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1981
11 complaints2 recalls
1980Best Year
3 complaints2 recalls
1979
13 complaints2 recalls
1978Best Year
1 complaints2 recalls
1977
2 complaints3 recalls
1976Best Year
1 complaints2 recalls
1975Best Year
6 complaints2 recalls
1974
0 complaints3 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1972Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1971Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1970Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1969Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1968Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1967Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1966Best Year
1 complaints1 recalls
1965Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1964Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls
1960Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Chevrolet Corvette Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 Chevrolet Corvette are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Chevrolet Corvette, consider the 1982, 1980, 1978, 1976, 1975, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967, 1966, 1965, 1964, 1960 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

62 model years analyzed