1988 Chevrolet corvette
1G1YY2189J5101661
Vehicle history report for the 1988 Chevrolet corvette (VIN 1G1YY2189J5101661). Red. Title: Clean. 27,200 mi reported. Registered in Ny. 5 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 1988 Chevrolet corvette data →
MPG & running costs
Official U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 1988 Chevrolet corvette.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. EPA estimates for this year/make/model; actual mileage varies by trim and driving conditions.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1988 Chevrolet corvette costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN 1G1YY2189J5101661
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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 A…
Remedy: 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).
NHTSA Campaign #06E043000 · 19/05/2006EQUIPMENT
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 …
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.
NHTSA Campaign #07E088000 · 24/10/2007SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
REAR WHEEL TIE ROD ASSEMBLY MAY FATIGUE AND COULD FRACTURE AT THE INBOARD BEARING DUE TO HIGH INNER JOINT ROCKING TORQUE.
Remedy: REPLACE FAULTY TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES.
NHTSA Campaign #90V032000 · 12/02/1990SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATIONS AND OCCUPANT USAGE CONDITIONS, THE SAFETY BELTS CAN LOCKUP OR JAM IN THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE LOCKUP OCCURS.
NHTSA Campaign #91V143000 · 04/09/1991WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER
MISSING WELD THAT ATTACHES WHEEL CENTER TO THE RIM COULD ALLOW WHEEL CENTER TO SEPARATE FROM THE RIM.
Remedy: REPLACE WHEELS WITH MISSING WELDS.
NHTSA Campaign #88V017000 · 09/02/1988We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Chevrolet corvette, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
🔍 Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 17
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1988 Chevrolet corvette.
SEAT BELTS
the seatbelts on my vehicle will not retract leaving the seatbelt loose on the occupants resulting a injuries if the vehicle were to be involved in a collision, I have contacted GM, they have refused to fix the vehicle due to its age.
NHTSA ODI #11556995SEAT BELTS
the seat belts will not retract leaving the driver and passenger seat belts loose while wearing them, the vehicle has an open recall for this issue, I have contacted GM about the issue and they put me in touch with a dealer, after some back and forth for several months the dealer indicated that GM will not be fixing this issue as parts are no longer availabl…
NHTSA ODI #11534381SEAT BELTS
This vehicle is included in a seat belt recall, the seat belts do not retract. I have attempted to contact dealer for repairs, they stated they would have to do some research on the recall and get back to me. This has not happened, they vehicle is inoperable due to the faulty seat belts
NHTSA ODI #11502977SEAT BELTS
In June 2020 my mechanic ran a recall check while performing my inspection. It showed 2 outstanding recalls for left and right seat belt retractor failures. I called 3 local Chevy dealers to set up a repair, and no one wanted to touch the vehicle. They all said to call GM. For the next few months I went back and forth with GM to set up repairs. They set…
NHTSA ODI #11468031SEAT BELTS
CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ON THE OPEN SEAT BELT RECALL. THEY STATED THEY NO LONGER MAKE THE SEAT BELT AND I AM ON MY OWN TO FIX THE RECALL. SEAT BELTS ARE FAILING AS PER THE RECALL AND ARE NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE.
NHTSA ODI #11339800SEAT BELTS
SEATBELTS ARE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. PASSENGER SIDE IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT RELEASE. DRIVER SIDE WORKS BUT WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THE BELT DID NOT LOCK.
NHTSA ODI #11316762SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND MADE AN ABRUPT STOP. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE PUSHED FORWARD AND WERE NOT HELD IN POSITION ON THE SEATS. NEITHER THE CONTACT NOR THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED ANY INJURIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAM…
NHTSA ODI #10472354SUSPENSION
HELLO, MY CAR IS AN 88 CORVETTE. I BROUGHT IT OUT THIS WEEK TO GET IT INSPECTED. I HAS BEEN GARAGED ALL WINTER. BEFORE TAKING IT TO THE INSPECTION PLACE I TOOK IT FOR A SHORT RIDE. TAKING A SLIGHT CURVE I NOTICED IT SEEMED A FLAT TIRE. FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A BROKEN REAR LEFT TIRE ROD BAR. COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT BROKE? AFTER CHECKING ON THE INTERNET I SEE T…
NHTSA ODI #10346419+ 9 more complaints on record.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who owns this vehicle from the VIN?
No — and no legitimate service can. Linking a VIN or plate to a named owner is restricted by the U.S. Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the EU GDPR and equivalent laws. CarLogs shows the vehicle only — specs, recalls, problems and value — never the person.
Is the VIN 1G1YY2189J5101661 valid?
1G1YY2189J5101661 is a structurally valid 17-character VIN with a correct ISO 3779 check digit, assigned to a manufacturer in United States. It decodes to the 1988 Chevrolet corvette.
Does the 1988 Chevrolet corvette have any open safety recalls?
Yes — 5 open NHTSA safety recalls are on record for the 1988 Chevrolet corvette. Recall repairs are carried out free by any franchised dealer; see the recall details above.
What fuel economy does the 1988 Chevrolet corvette get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 1988 Chevrolet corvette at about 18 mpg combined (15 city / 23 highway).
Data last checked 3 Oct 2026 · Sources: NHTSA (recalls & complaints), U.S. EPA (fuel economy), NHTSA vPIC (specifications). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.