1981 Chevrolet Corvette recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. 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 HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE…
What could happen: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1981 CORVETTE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07E088000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-890-2075.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT
Summary: 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 HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. REMANUFACTURERD REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, PART NOS. 18-7019, 18-7020, 16-7019, AND 16-7020, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2002, TO APRIL, 25, 2003., AND FOR USE ON 1965 THRU 1982 CHEVROLET CORVETTES. THE SUBJECT BRAKE CALIPERS WERE MANUFACTURED USING IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED PISTON SEALS. THESE SEALS ARE INTENDED TO PREVENT FLUID LEAKAGE BETWEEN THE CALIPER HOUSING AND THE PISTONS. THESE BRAKE CALIPERS ARE FOR USE ONLY ON…
What could happen: UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND ALL UNSOLD INVENTORY WILL BE REPURCHASED AND WILL PROVIDE A FULL REFUND TO CUSTOMERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASON…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1981 CORVETTE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03E032000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
Summary: REMANUFACTURERD REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, PART NOS. 18-7019, 18-7020, 16-7019, AND 16-7020, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2002, TO APRIL, 25, 2003., AND FOR USE ON 1965 THRU 1982 CHEVROLET CORVETTES. THE SUBJECT BRAKE CALIPERS WERE MANUFACTURED USING IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED PISTON SEALS. THESE SEALS ARE INTENDED TO PREVENT FLUID LEAKAGE BETWEEN THE CALIPER HOUSING AND THE PISTONS. THESE BRAKE CALIPERS ARE FOR USE ONLY ON 1965 THRU 1982 CHEVROLET CORVETTE VEHICLES. THIS RECALL DOES NOT INVOLVE GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION OR ANY OF ITS PRODUCTS.
Consequence: UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND ALL UNSOLD INVENTORY WILL BE REPURCHASED AND WILL PROVIDE A FULL REFUND TO CUSTOMERS.
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CARDONE AT 215-912-3000.
Notes: ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1981 Chevrolet Corvette owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (4), Gasoline (4), Transmission / drivetrain (3), Steering (1), Suspension (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
12/18/2018 · Steering
I'VE HAD AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BOLT COME OUT 4 TIMES ON MY CAR CAUSING THE WHEEL TO TUCK UNDER THE CAR. I ALSO HAD A LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT COME OUT ONCE. I'VE BEEN LUCKY, IT'S ALWAYS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TURNING AROUND OR GOING SLOW. HOWEVER, THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A ROCK SHOT OU…
10/11/2001 · Engine
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN IN STORAGE SINCE 1982 AND HAS 4900 ORIGINAL MILES. THE VEHICLE IS IN NEW SHOWROOM CONDITION. I AM NOW PLANNING TO TRANSPORT THE VEHICLE TO FLORIDA AND DIRVE IT ON OCCASION. I WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL IN 1983 AND HAVE MISPLACED THE NOTIFICATION DUE TO THE CAR BEING IN STORAGE. I WOULD APPRECIATE AN…
02/26/1998 · Fuel system
FUEL TANK WHICH IS MADE OF A STEEL OUTER SHELL WITH AN INNER LINER OF HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE DEVELOPED A CRACK IN BOTH FRONT LOWER CORNERS. THIS PERMITTED FUEL TO ENTER BETWEEN THE STEEL TANK AND THE LINER. THE CONDENSATION IN THE FUEL RUSTED THE OUTER TANK, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. *AK
01/26/1998 · Fuel system
FUEL TANK'S PLASTIC LINER CRACKED IN THE FRONT LOWER CORNERS CAUSING THE FUEL TANK'S OUTER STEEL SHELL TO RUST AND CAUSE A LEAK.
01/26/1998 · Fuel system
FUEL TANK'S PLASTIC LINER CRACKED IN THE FRONT LOWER CORNERS CAUSING THE FUEL TANK'S OUTER STEEL SHELL TO RUST AND CAUSE A LEAK.
01/26/1998 · Fuel system
FUEL TANK'S PLASTIC LINER CRACKED IN THE FRONT LOWER CORNERS CAUSING THE FUEL TANK'S OUTER STEEL SHELL TO RUST AND CAUSE A LEAK.