YearToAvoid

2012 Chevrolet Corvette Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ranks 18th out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 15, earning a Best verdict. It had 56 complaints, 1 recall, and 2 crashes, with Fuel System issues making up 52% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
15/100
#18 of 21 Corvette years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
56
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Fuel System
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
15 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2012 Chevy Corvette problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System29 (52%)
  2. Airbags10 (18%)
  3. Electrical System9 (16%)
  4. Brakes6 (11%)
  5. Seat Belts3 (5%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
  7. Engine2 (4%)
  8. Steering2 (4%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain2 (4%)
  10. Other1 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbag warning lights cycle on and off, sometimes tied to frayed wiring or connector faults at the driver seat.
  • Front brakes can lock up unexpectedly during turns, accompanied by ABS, traction control, and active handling warnings.
  • Some owners report the clutch master cylinder failing, leaving the car stuck in gear and unable to restart.
  • Original equipment tires reportedly wear abnormally or lose grip in wet or cold conditions, causing skidding at low speed.
  • The driver's seat belt has been reported to tighten continuously and not release until the vehicle stops.
  • The passenger airbag indicator can show as off when a lighter-weight passenger sits in the seat.
2012 Chevrolet Corvette complaints: complaints filed per quarter42012 Q12015 Q22016 Q42018 Q32020 Q22021 Q32023 Q12024 Q4
56 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q3 (4).

2012 Chevrolet Corvette recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 11V491000Oct 3, 2011Structure & Body5,755 vehicles

    Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments

    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.

    Risk: The rear hatch could separate in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Gm will notify owners and dealers will replace both rear hatch hinges free of charge. The safety recall began on october 14, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

2012 Chevrolet Corvette fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,025
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other Corvette years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Caution5584018
2011Good4085118
2012Best1556118
2013Good2582018
2014Caution5061520.5

All Chevrolet Corvette years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Corvette has a complaint index of 15, the second-lowest among 21 model years, and carries a Best verdict relative to other Corvette years.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Corvette?
Fuel System complaints lead at 52% of all complaints, followed by Airbags at 18% and Electrical System issues at 16%, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2012 Corvette have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2012 Corvette, covering a structure and body issue where GM replaced both rear hatch hinges free of charge.
How does the 2012 Corvette compare to other Corvette years?
The 2012 model ranks 18th worst out of 21 years tracked, well below higher-complaint years like 2008 (complaint index 100) and 2005 (complaint index 95).
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Corvette?
EPA rates the 2012 Corvette at 18 mpg combined (15 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,025.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.