1996 CHEVROLET Corvette Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

7 complaints

TRIED TO START VEHICLE, BUT 'SECURITY' LIGHT CAME ON & ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. RESEARCHED ISSUE ONLINE & FOUND THAT THIS IS DUE TO A KNOWN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER PROBLEM. THE WIRES LEADING TO THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER BREAK, AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM TO PROPERLY READ THE SECURITY CODE FROM THE KEY. *TR

Jun 06, 2014

UPON NORMAL AUTO START SEQUENCE, STARTER WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. REMOVED KEY FROM VEHICLE CYLINDER LOCK AND STARTER CONTINUED TO CRANK ENGINE. STARTER MOTOR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE BATTERY COULD BE DISCONNECTED TO REMOVE POWER FROM VEHICLE. BURNED UP STARTER MOTOR AND O2 WIRING HARNESS AROUND LOCATION OF STARTER MOTOR. SAME FAILURE OCCURRED IN 1999. *TR

Feb 12, 2008

Fire: 1

PASSIVE KEYLESS ENTRY LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING HATCH RELEASED. ALTMOST LOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *JB

Nov 30, 2006

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN GARAGE DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAULT IN FACTORY WIRING. FIRE ORIGINATED ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK

Sep 24, 2001

Fire: 1

WHILE PARKED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE WAS ALSO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO FURNITURE AND PROPERTY. *SLC

Nov 10, 1997

Fire: 1

+ 2 more complaints for this component

TIRES

6 complaints

SNAP IN VALVE STEM HTTP://BLOGS.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG/SAFETY/2008/06/TIRE-VALVE-STEM.HTML. *TR

Oct 11, 2008

THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR (THE LEFT FRONT SENSOR, ALSO KNOWN AS GREEN #44 OR PART NUMBER 1016 1856) IS NOT AVAILABLE NEW OR USED ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY. REFERRING TO PAGE 6-47 OF THE MANUAL, THE FOLLOWING WARNING APPEARS: WHEN THE LOW/FLAT TIRE WARNING LIGHT IS ON YOUR VEHICLE'S HANDLING CAPABILITIES WILL BE REDUCED DURING SEVERE MANEUVERS. IF YOU DRIVE TOO FAST, YOU COULD LOSE CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE. YOU OR OTHERS COULD BE INJURED. DON'T DRIVE OVER 55 MPH (90 KM/H) WHEN THE LOW/FLAT TIRE WARNING LIGHT IS ON. DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY AND CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE AS SOON AS YOU CAN." NOW, NOTING THE RECENT HEADLINES ABOUT FIRESTONE TIRE FAILURES AND THE RESULTING TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES, IT WOULD SEEM HIGHLY APPROPRIATE FOR CHEVROLET TO IMMEDIATELY ADDRESS THE FACT THAT THIS PART IS DISCONTINUED AND NO LONGER AVAILABLE. BASICALLY, ALL WE (MY WIFE JOY RENDE, WHO ACTUALLY OWNS THE CAR, AND I) ARE LOOKING FOR IS FOR CHEVY TO START MANURAFTURING THE PART AGAIN.*AK

Jun 15, 2001

CAR WAS VEERING OUT OF CONTROL-AT 45MPH, IN A ONE LANE WORK ZONE. TIRE RIPPED RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE-NEARLY SPLIITING IN HALF. YOU COULD SEE RIGHT TROUGH TO THE BRAKES. INSIDE OF TIRE UNRAVELLED-RUBBER HANGING. *AK (DOT NUMBER: M6Y2 6BDR TIRESIZE: P25545ZR17)

Nov 21, 2000

LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT ,BELT TREADPACKAGE SEPERATED TOTALLY,LEAVING BEAD/SIDEWALL ONLY ON RIM( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P28540ZR17 )

Aug 28, 2000

CAR CAME FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH EMT (RUN-FLAT) TIRES. MANUFACTURER HAS DISCONTINUED PART NUMBER 10161856 "TIRE SENSOR" NEEDED TO INDICATE IF A TIRE LOSES PRESSURE. AS THERE IS NO OUTWARD INDICATION OF A LOSS OF PRESSURE IN A TIRE, LOSS OF PRESSURE WILL EVENTUALLY RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER CARE HAS CONFIRMED THE PART HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AND THAT THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO PLANS FOR A REPLACEMENT PART. *AK

Nov 15, 1999

+ 1 more complaint for this component

POWER TRAIN

6 complaints

HAD TO FORCE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO GEAR, TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

Jul 30, 2000

TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND WENT INTO SKID,SENT CAR INTO ONCOMMING TRAFFIC,SECOND REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. *AK

Jul 30, 2000

FIRST WHEEL BEARING HUB FAILED ON MARCH 26, 1999. SERVICE TECHNICIAN REPORTED THAT WHEEL COULD HAVE COME OFF OF VEHICLE DURING TRANSPORTATION. REPLACED BY DEALER AT CONSUMER'S COST. LETTER SENT TO VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WITH FAILED PART. NO RESPONSE RECEIVED BY CONSUMER. REPLACEMENT DIAGNOSED AS FAILED ON JANUARY 12, 2000. DURING DIAGNOSIS, DEALER REPORTS THAT ALL UNIVERSAL JOINTS (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT) ARE FAILING. ALL ASSEMBLIES SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN 3 YEARS/55,000 MILES. *AK

Jan 12, 2000

MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH FAILED.

Oct 27, 1997

TRANSMISSION FAILED IN 2ND GEAR.

Sep 19, 1997

+ 1 more complaint for this component

STRUCTURE

4 complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE. SUDDENLY, THE REMOVABLE ROOF PANEL SEPARATED FROM THE MOUNTING FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACRYLIC REMOVABLE ROOF PANEL, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,500.

May 22, 2009

ROOF SEAL FAILED.

Oct 27, 1997

FRONT ROOF LINE OBSTRUCTS TRAFFIC LIGHT VIEWS FOR TALL DRIVER'S.

Apr 10, 1997

WHEN ROOF PANEL IS REMOVED, VEHICLE EXHIBITS EXTREME VIBRATION WHENEVER ANY ROAD BUMPS ARE ENCOUNTED, ANY SPEED UP TO 35MPH THE ENTIRE VEHICLE VIBRATES, DUE TO EXCESSIVE BODY FLEXING (FIBERGLASS BODY).

Nov 22, 1996

STEERING

4 complaints

STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING RACK AND PUMP, PROBLEM STILL THERE. *AK

Jan 29, 2001

INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. NLM

May 10, 2000

WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN VEHICLE WILL UNEXPECETEDLY LOSE POWER STEERING CONTROL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAIL. *AK

Apr 16, 1998

THERE'S A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHCIH CAUSES THE CAR TO HOP AT ANY SPEED. PLEAE GIVE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

Sep 30, 1996

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

3 complaints

WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT 10 MPH BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO FLOOR AFTER CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WITHOUT AN INCIDENT. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED, ALLOWING FAILURE OF BRAKE SYSTEM. *AK *JB

Nov 08, 2001

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED.

Nov 04, 1997

FUEL PUMP FAILED.

Feb 12, 1997

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT HEARD A VERY LOUD EXPLOSION AND HER HOME BEGAN TO SHAKE. SHE FOUND THE VEHICLE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE SPREAD RAPIDLY AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED PRIOR TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S ARRIVAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REGULATOR EXPLODED DUE TO PRESSURE BUILD-UP. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. UPDATED 03/18/09. *JB

Feb 23, 2009

Fire: 1

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THERE WAS A BANGING NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE OIL FILTER POPPING OUT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, ALMOST CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH FUEL LEAKAGE OR FUEL PRESSURE. *AK

Mar 20, 1997

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

WHERE CAN I FIND THE REPAIR HISTORY OF MY CAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.*AK

Jun 27, 2000

DASH ALERT (GAUGE) FOR OIL EXCHANGE.

Oct 27, 1997

EQUIPMENT

2 complaints

RADIO FAILED.

Sep 10, 1997

RADIO INOPERATIVE.

Feb 12, 1997

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

APPEARS THE ASR UNIT HARD SHORTED SENDING ELECTRICITY THROUGH ALL 3 THROTTLE CABLES AND SEBSEQUENTLY MELTING THEM. THANKFULLY THE VEHICLE DIDN'T START ON FIRE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ON THE FIRST DRIVE OF THE DAY AFTER ABOUT 7 MINUTES OF LOW SPEED (CITY) OPERATION SINCE ENGINE START.

Jul 08, 2016

STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

THE ACRYLIC TOP ON MY 1996 CORVETTE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ACRYLIC TOP FROM CHEVROLET. THE ACRYLIC PORTION OF THE TOP HAS SEPARATED FROM THE ALUMINUM MOUNTING FRAME. I HAVE PRESENTED GONE THROUGH 4 CONSECUTIVE TOPS. EVERY TOP SUPPLIED TO ME HAS DONE THE SAME THING. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE MY VEHICLE DUE TO THIS FACT. IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE, THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT MY ROOF IS GOING TO COME OFF OF THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A ACCIDENT ON INJURE SOMEONE. *TR

Apr 29, 2009

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON / DISTRIBUTOR FAILED WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE STALLED, LOST POWER STEERING. ENGINE REFIRED. ON WAY TO DEALER ENGINE STALLED IN TRAFFIC.*AK

Oct 05, 2001

TIRES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERIVCE. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE PART IS #10161856. COMPANY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. RECEIVED WARNING WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. *AK

Dec 13, 1999

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

UPPER LEFT BALL JOINT FAILED.

Oct 27, 1997

SEATS

1 complaint

WAS MOVING OUT OF PARKING AREA AT 10MPH. DRIVER STARTED STRETCHING WHEN SEAT CRACKED IN HALF. TOOK TO DEALER 7 INFORMED IT WAS ALREADY CRACKED BEFORE DRIVER BROKE IT. SEAT SWINGS LOOSELY ON ANCHORS. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PORTION OF THE SEAT THAT CRACKED IN HALF WAS A PLASTIC OR FIBERGLASS PART THAT CONNECTED TO THE SEAT TO THE BOLTS ON THE FLOOR, THE SEATBACK CONSEQUENTLY ROCKED BACK AND FORTH FREELY, AND THE DRIVER IN A RELAXED POSITION, WOULD BE ALMOST RECLINED, THEREFORE HAVING TO PULL ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN A NORMAL, UPRIGHT DRIVING POSTURE. *SLC

Oct 08, 1997

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 complaint

WHEN DRIVING ON A STRIGHT AWAY AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY PULLED TO THE LEFT, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. DP 96-006. *AK

Jun 26, 1997

Crash: 1

STEERING,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, HIT 2 TREES AND CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK

Apr 22, 1997

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

INTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

INTERIOR LIGHT SENSOR FAILED.

Apr 10, 1997

STRUCTURE,TIRES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

LEAKED, VIBRATED, ROARED, WOBBLED, DOORS HIT BODY, ELECTRICAL GAUGES MALFUNCTIONED, BAD TIRES, LOOSED SUSPENSION PARTS, MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRIC STABLIZERS. VEHICLE TURN-IN NOTICE.

Oct 17, 1996

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,SEATS,INTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

THE CAR IS A CONVETRIBLE HARD TOP. WHEN TOP IS NOT ONN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SHAKES OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN THE TOP IS ON , THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN.*AK DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, PLASTIC TACK TO HOLD DOWN RUBBER PIECE BROKE. LEFT REAR BOLT AT CATCH IS LOOSE FOR HATCHBACK. VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WITH AND WITHOUT THE TOP ON. INTERIOR LIGHTS SOMETIMES DO NOT GO OUT WHEN DRIVER'S DOOR IS CLOSED. *SLC

Aug 05, 1996

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4.5/5.0

56 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1996 CHEVROLET Corvette have?

The 1996 CHEVROLET Corvette currently has 47 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1996 CHEVROLET Corvette?

The most common problems reported for the 1996 CHEVROLET Corvette are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1996 CHEVROLET Corvette problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1996 CHEVROLET Corvette comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.