The 1990 Chevrolet Corvette is a coupe from United States. Below are the specifications, open safety recalls and NHTSA data available for this specific model year. Decode a 1990 Corvette VIN to see the exact trim, engine and equipment for one particular vehicle.
Value calculator
Move the slider: the estimate applies the observed one-year depreciation rate for this model line (17.9%/year) to the value you enter. It updates instantly, right here.
Estimated value
$0
Source: Craigslist U.S. used listings (2020-2021 snapshot) + Car Features & MSRP dataset. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and the snapshot was taken in 2020–2021 — pair the estimate with live listings for your area before pricing a car.
Overview
The Chevrolet Corvette is a coupe sold in the U.S. market. Enter its 17-character VIN below to pull the exact build from NHTSA vPIC: model year, trim, engine, drivetrain and assembly plant, plus any open safety recalls filed for that model year.
Specifications at a glance
Basic build info
Model year
1990
Make
Chevrolet
Model
Corvette
Body
Coupe
Country of origin
United States
Model-year-exact trim, engine and equipment vary by VIN. Decode the specific VIN above to confirm.
Fuel Economy (1990 Chevrolet Corvette)
15
City MPG
22
Highway MPG
17
Combined MPG
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA).
Real-world pricing & specs — 1990 Chevrolet Corvette
Used-market medians (U.S. listings)
U.S. used-market listings for the 1990 Corvette (Craigslist, 2020–2021 snapshot) cluster around a median asking price of $12,000 at roughly 56,543 miles, based on 23 listings. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and values have moved since the snapshot — pair with live listings for your area.
Used median price
$12,000
Median mileage
56,543
Sample: 23 listings
Median of real U.S. Craigslist asking prices for this model year; asking prices skew above negotiated sale prices. Snapshot taken 2020-2021.
NHTSA safety recalls — 1990 Chevrolet Corvette
4
open recall campaigns on file with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Repairs are free at any authorized Chevrolet dealer (within 10 years of first sale). See all recalls →
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Campaign: 06E043000 · Filed: 19/05/2006
Defect description: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Corrective action: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
EQUIPMENT
Campaign: 07E088000 · Filed: 24/10/2007
Defect description: 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.
Corrective action: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Campaign: 90V008000 · Filed: 22/01/1990
Defect description: FUEL FEED AND RETURN LINE CONNECTORS HAVE INCORRECT LINE END FLARE CONFIGURATIONS.
Consequence: LINE ENDS COULD CRACK CAUSING A FUEL LEAK THAT COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Corrective action: INSTALL NEW FUEL LINES WITH CORRECT END FLARE CONFIGURATION.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Campaign: 91V143000 · Filed: 04/09/1991
Defect description: 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.
Corrective action: REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE LOCKUP OCCURS.
Source: NHTSA Recalls API. Snapshot last checked: October 19, 2026. Recall status changes — verify by VIN for any vehicle you own or plan to buy.
Common problems to check on this generation
Wear items (brakes, suspension bushings, tires) at a rate set by mileage and prior care
Electronics and infotainment faults reported on some model years
Any open recall: verify by VIN, since repairs are free at the dealer
Applies to the model line as a whole; the 1990 model year may have specific TSBs, always verify by VIN.
Owner-reported problems — 1990 Corvette
39
owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Complaints are self-reported by owners and are separate from formal recalls.
Most-reported problem areas:
AIR BAGS — 17 reports
SEAT BELTS — 6 reports
VISIBILITY — 2 reports
AIR BAGS — 12/11/2000
I'VE READ THAT THERE IS A GROUNDING ISSUE IN THE AIR BAG WITH THIS TYPE/YEAR VEHICLE CAUSING WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON AND POSSIBLE SHUT DOWN OR THE SYSTEM. IS THIS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE? *AK
AIR BAGS — 10/30/2001
CANNOT GET A REPLACEMENT PART FROM GMC . THEREFORE I AM FORCED TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF MY AIR BAG.*AK
SEAT BELTS — 10/06/2016
I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT GET THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPLACE MY SEAT BELTS.
Ask a specific question about this year and model. Our editors review every submission and publish answers with sources on this page — typical response time is 2-5 business days.
Related guides for 1990 Chevrolet Corvette owners & buyers
The 1990 Corvette is a Coupe. Decode a specific VIN above for the exact trim, engine, transmission and factory options for one particular vehicle.
Are there recalls on the 1990 Corvette?
Yes — 4 recalls on record. Repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Is the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
How long a used Chevrolet Corvette lasts depends mostly on its maintenance history, not the badge. Pull the recall list for the model year, read the service records and pay for an independent inspection before you commit.
Values vary by trim, mileage, condition and region. Check Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADA/J.D. Power for a range, see our guide comparing them — and pair with 5–10 local listings for your exact year and mileage.
What common problems should I watch for on a 1990 Corvette?
Segment-wide issues like brake and suspension wear are the norm at this age; model-specific issues vary by generation. Review the "common problems" section above, check NHTSA complaints and TSBs for the specific year, and get an independent inspection focused on those areas.
Sources on this page:NHTSA vPIC (specifications),
NHTSA Recalls,
NHTSA NCAP (safety),
EPA FuelEconomy.gov (MPG),
NHTSA Complaints, SAE J2012 (OBD-II standard). VinSpecs is an independent service, not affiliated with Chevrolet or any government agency.
