YearToAvoid

2021 Chevrolet Corvette Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#16 most-complained of 16 Corvette years

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

The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette has a complaint index of 0, the lowest of any year covered, and ranks Best among 16 model years. It has 12 complaints, 2 recalls, and a median mileage at failure of 12,500 miles.

Complaints
12
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
15 city / 27 hwy

Top 2021 Chevy Corvette problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain7 (58%)
  2. Electrical System4 (33%)
  3. Airbags1 (8%)
  4. Brakes1 (8%)
  5. Other1 (8%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (8%)

What owners report

  • Transmission issues include unpredictable lurching, bucking on acceleration, and driving only in even-numbered gears after a check engine light and 'Idle Creep Temporarily Disabled' message.
  • Some owners report the car sputtering and losing motion under 3,000 miles, followed by a violent surge and confusion about which gear it was in.
  • A rear axle alert combined with a check engine light led to repeated dealership visits, transmission flushes, and a transmission replacement for one owner.
  • Electrical complaints include the vehicle failing to start after an OTA update, showing a 'Battery Low' message despite the car being recently driven.
  • One owner described a door lock switch getting stuck from the inside, requiring dealer replacement at 4,783 miles.
  • Other electrical reports mention the rearview camera going black intermittently and the display not flagging a failing alternator.
2021 Chevrolet Corvette complaints: complaints filed per month3Nov 2021Apr 2023Jan 2024Apr 2024Sep 2025Aug 2026
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2021 to Aug 2026; peak May 2023 (3).

2021 Chevrolet Corvette recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V091000Feb 17, 2022Transmission & Powertrain22 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:driveshaft

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The rear half-shaft assemblies may be missing one or more ball bearings, which can result in a loss of drive power.

    Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the left or right rear half-shaft assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212351320.

  2. NHTSA 21V421000Jun 10, 2021Airbags285,622 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Air bags:SRS malfunction warning lamp/light

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.

    Risk: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.

2021 Chevrolet Corvette fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,200
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
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.

2021 compared with other Corvette years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid93148117
2020Best2034419
2021Best012219
2022Best721119
2023Avoid8725115

All Chevrolet Corvette years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
Compared to other Corvette model years, 2021 ranks Best with a complaint index of 0 and only 12 complaints logged with NHTSA.
What problems does the 2021 Corvette have?
NHTSA complaints point to Transmission & Powertrain issues (7 complaints, 58% share) and Electrical System issues (4 complaints, 33% share) as the top problem areas.
Does the 2021 Corvette have any recalls?
Yes, two recalls: one for rear half-shaft assemblies missing ball bearings (campaign 22V091000) and one for a communications gateway module software issue affecting airbags (campaign 21V421000).
How does the 2021 Corvette compare to other years?
The 2021 model has a complaint index of 0, the lowest among all 16 years tracked, ranking it 16th worst (meaning best) versus years like 2017, which scored 100 and is rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Corvette?
The 2021 Corvette gets 19 mpg combined (15 city / 27 highway) according to EPA data, with an annual fuel cost of $4,200.

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.