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Research · Two Seaters · 3 NHTSA variants

2009 Chevrolet CorvetteRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 152 owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (80) and engine (24). The EPA rates it 16–19 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
16–19mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
152
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

152 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2009 – Jun 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system80
  2. Engine24
  3. Air bags15
  4. Exterior lighting9
  5. Electrical system8
  6. Power train7
  7. Steering5
  8. Structure5
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Corvette model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199644
1997153
1998399
1999308
2000277
2001203
2002170
2003112
2004217
2005538
2006413
2007386
2008589
2009152
201084
201185
201256
201382
201464
201565
2016105
2017257
201851
2019148
202034
202113
202221
202327
202422
202511
20261
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

80 reports1 crash1 fire
“When the gas tanks are more than 1/2 full the inside of the car fills with gas fumes the only way to prevent is to keep the Tanks less than half full…… worried the fumes will ignite under the right conditions…….. supposedly this is a well documented problem with the C-6 corvettes”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11741929

Engine

24 reports
“I HAD A VALVE DROP AND THREW A ROD THRU MY ENGINE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I LOST ENGINE POWER, POWER STEERING, AND SPILLED OIL AND OTHER CHEMICALS ONTO THE ROADWAY. A THICK CLOUD OF SMOKE BILLOWED FROM UNDERNEATH AND OUT THE BACK OF THE CAR MAKING IT UNSAFE FOR CARS TRAVELING BEHIND ME. THE DEALER WHO HAS SINCE INSPECTED MY CAR HAS STATED IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE "LIFTERS ARE WEAK". AFTER QUITE A BIT OF READING, IT APPEARS MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR HAVE EXPERIENCED A MULTITUDE OF ISSUES WITH VALVES, LIFTERS, HEADS, ETC. GM IS AWARE OF FAULTY PARTS BUT I CANNOT FIND ANY NOTICE OF RECALLS. MAKE/MODEL: 2009 CORVETTE Z06; ENGINE: LS7. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2020Steering, EngineODI 11329555

Air bags

15 reports
“TOOK OFF IN FIRST GEAR QUICKLY TO GET ACROSS TRAFFIC AND NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR A WHILE AND STARTED IT AGAIN AND THE LIGHT IS STILL ON WHICH MEANS THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS NOT OPERABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2017Air bagsODI 11001838
All 2009 Corvette problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
6.2L 8-cyl · 7.0L 8-cyl · 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Corvette
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162619$4,050468
Corvette
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152518$4,300494
Corvette
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 7.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152418$4,300494
Corvette
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$4,850555
  • Corvette
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    16 city · 26 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Corvette
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    15 city · 25 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Corvette
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 7.0 L
    15 city · 24 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Corvette
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,850/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5214Vehicle 5213Vehicle 5215
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Corvette questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Corvette problems?

Owners filed 152 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (80), engine (24), air bags (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette at 16–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026