Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1986 Chevrolet Corvette. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE SEAT AND SHOULDER BELTS AN
- 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.
BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:MASTER CYLINDER
- 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.
LIGHTING:SWITCH:BUTTON:RING:HEAD LIGHTS
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (15)
15 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The seat belts is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 7 | 46.7% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 46.7% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 6.7% |
How 1986 compares with other Corvette years
Best and worst Corvette years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 6 | 0 |
| 1984 | 14 | 5 |
| 1985 | 16 | 1 |
| 1986 | 15 | 3 |
| 1987 | 21 | 1 |
| 1988 | 16 | 3 |
| 1989 | 15 | 2 |
| 1990 | 34 | 2 |
| 1991 | 24 | 1 |
| 1992 | 7 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 494 g/mi
- EPA class
- Two Seaters
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1986 Corvette for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1986 Chevrolet Corvette FAQ
How many recalls does the 1986 Chevrolet Corvette have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 91V143000 (seat belt), 86V120000 (brake), 86V056000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1986 Chevrolet Corvette problems?
Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. Seat belts (7), Service brakes (7), Electrical system (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1986 Chevrolet Corvette get?
EPA rates the 5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 15 city, 22 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1986 Corvette compare with other years?
Among the 1981–1992 Chevrolet Corvette model years at least five years old, the 1981 drew the fewest complaints (6) and the 1990 the most (34). The 1986 drew 15. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.