Research · Two Seaters · 3 NHTSA variants

2012 Chevrolet CorvetteRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 56 owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (28) and air bags (10). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17–19mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Oct 2011
Owner complaints
56
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE COUPE VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 24, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS". THE REAR HATCH HINGES MAY NOT MEET THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN THE SAFETY STANDARD.

StructureReported Oct 3, 2011NHTSA 11V491000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

56 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2012 – Jul 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system28
  2. Air bags10
  3. Electrical system6
  4. Electronic stability control (esc)5
  5. Service brakes4
  6. Exterior lighting3
  7. Seat belts3
  8. Steering2
  9. Suspension2

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
2
Fires reported
0
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

28 reports1 crash
“90 degree elbow on top of fuel hat on drivers side fuel tank cracked and had a bad fuel leak causing an immediate fire hazard in my garage with how combustible fuel is. There were no warning signs just walked into my garage one morning with a very strong smell of gasoline. The issue was dealt with by myself I didn’t have to take it to a mechanic to repair”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11746939

Air bags

10 reports
“Airbag light intermittently comes on and goes off whilst driving. Per GM, they will not say whether the airbag will or will NOT deploy while the light is on. There is a TSB for the issue, but it only last 10 years past the in-service date. When safety is affected, there should be no limit on time to have remedied.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2022Air bagsODI 11469913

Electrical system

6 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle out of storage and starting the vehicle, he noticed that the active handling and traction control error messages were displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 15,800.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 24, 2022Electrical systemODI 11458193
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
Regular Gasoline · 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
162519$3,300468
Corvette
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152418$3,450494
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
142117$4,550523
  • Corvette
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Corvette
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 6.2 L
    15 city · 24 hwy · $3,450/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 · 21 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
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 2012 Chevrolet Corvette as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 6515Vehicle 6514Vehicle 6516
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

2012 Corvette questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Corvette problems?

Owners filed 56 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (28), air bags (10), electrical system (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026