Chevrolet Corvette Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Chevrolet Corvette model year (1997–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Chevrolet Corvette Years to Avoid
5 recalls · 366 complaints
11 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 403
0 recalls · 308 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Problem score: 312
3 recalls · 222 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Problem score: 239
Best Chevrolet Corvette Years to Buy
0 recalls · 5 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 5
1 recall · 6 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 9
0 recalls · 10 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 10
Found the right year? Verify that specific Corvette with a free VIN report.
Chevrolet Corvette — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 1 | 6 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 12 | 1 | — | 17 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 0 | 11 | 1 | — | 13 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 10 | — | — | 10 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 5 | — | — | 5 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 3 | 17 | — | — | 26 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 1 | 73 | 1 | — | 78 | Good |
| 2018 | 1 | 20 | — | — | 23 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 2 | 128 | 4 | — | 142 | Caution |
| 2016 | 1 | 50 | — | — | 53 | Good |
| 2015 | 3 | 38 | 3 | — | 53 | Good |
| 2014 | 3 | 41 | 7 | 1 | 69 | Good |
| 2013 | 0 | 42 | — | — | 42 | Good |
| 2012 | 1 | 28 | — | — | 31 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 1 | 35 | — | — | 38 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 0 | 43 | 1 | — | 45 | Good |
| 2009 | 0 | 86 | — | — | 86 | Good |
| 2008 | 0 | 308 | 2 | — | 312 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 2 | 223 | — | — | 229 | Caution |
| 2006 | 5 | 218 | 2 | — | 237 | Caution |
| 2005 | 5 | 366 | 11 | — | 403 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 3 | 139 | 4 | — | 156 | Caution |
| 2003 | 2 | 59 | 1 | 1 | 72 | Good |
| 2002 | 2 | 92 | 1 | — | 100 | Good |
| 2001 | 2 | 138 | 1 | — | 146 | Caution |
| 2000 | 3 | 183 | 14 | — | 220 | Caution |
| 1999 | 3 | 193 | 10 | 1 | 227 | Caution |
| 1998 | 3 | 222 | 4 | — | 239 | Caution |
| 1997 | 3 | 101 | 2 | — | 114 | Good |
All 30 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Chevrolet Corvette Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Corvette models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2013Mid-decade Corvette units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2013 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Corvette models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Corvette should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette if possible. It has 5 recalls, 366 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 403 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Corvette to buy?+
The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 5. It has only 0 recalls and 5 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Corvette has the fewest problems?+
The 2021, 2025, 2022 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Chevrolet Corvette Research
Check a Specific Chevrolet Corvette VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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