On October 3, 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a recall issued by General Motors (GM) for certain 2011–2012 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe vehicles. The issue involves defective rear hatch hinges that fail to meet federal safety standards, potentially causing the rear hatch to separate during a crash and increasing the risk of injury.
Affected Vehicles
- Make/Model: Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
- Model Years: 2011–2012
- Production Dates: January 24, 2011 – September 1, 2011
- Units Affected: 5,755 vehicles
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V491000
- Component: Structure
Details of the Fault
The defect involves the rear hatch hinges on affected Corvette Coupes:
- Hinges do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 206 – Door Locks and Door Retention Components.
- Hinges may not withstand required crash loads.
- In the event of a crash, the rear hatch could detach from the vehicle.
Risks
- Rear hatch separation during a collision may cause:
- Increased injury risk to occupants
- Debris hazards to other road users
- Non-compliance with federal safety standards
What Owners Should Do
GM has instructed owners of affected Corvettes to take the following steps:
- Schedule a service appointment with an authorized Chevrolet dealer.
- Dealers will replace the rear hatch hinges to ensure compliance with FMVSS 206.
- Repairs are performed free of charge.
- Recall notification letters began in October 2011.
How to Check if Your Vehicle is Affected
- Enter your VIN in the NHTSA recall lookup tool.
- Contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438.
- Reference NHTSA Recall Number 11V491000.
Official Sources
- NHTSA Recall Campaign: 11V491000 – Corvette Rear Hatch Hinges
- National Highway Traffic Safety Authority
- General Motors LLC
FAQs
Q: How many Corvettes are affected by this recall?
A: 5,755 units.
Q: Which model years are included?
A: 2011–2012 Chevrolet Corvette Coupes built between January and September 2011.
Q: What is the main risk?
A: The rear hatch may detach during a crash, increasing injury risk.
Disclaimer
This article summarizes official information from the NHTSA and General Motors under recall campaign 11V491000. Details were accurate as of October 2011. Owners should confirm the latest guidance with GM or NHTSA.