Recall 11V491 affects 5,755 2011-2012 Chevrolet Corvette coupes because rear hatch hinges do not meet load requirements. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 5,755 2011-2012 Corvette coupe vehicles because the rear hatch hinges do not meet federal load requirements. In a crash, the rear hatch is at risk of separating, which raises the injury risk; the Chevrolet dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear hatch hinges on the 2011-2012 Chevrolet Corvette coupe are the metal pivot points that hold the hatch to the body and let it open and close. They also help keep the hatch attached when the body is loaded or stressed. Federal safety rules set a minimum load requirement for these hinges because the hatch is part of the vehicle's body retention system.
In this recall, the rear hatch hinges do not meet the load requirement for door locks and door retention components. That means the hinge hardware can fall short of the strength level required by the safety standard. The issue is not described as a latch adjustment or a loose trim problem; it is a compliance problem with the hinge assembly itself.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners should not expect a rattle, warning light, or obvious change in how the hatch opens before the hinge strength problem matters.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2011 and 2012 Corvette model years, both tied to the same hatchback and liftgate hinge attachment component.
| 2012 Chevrolet Corvette | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2011 Chevrolet Corvette | body structure |
| Units affected | 5,755 |
Not every 2011-2012 Chevrolet Corvette is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific coupe is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, the rear hatch can separate and increase the risk of injury. Keep driving limited until your VIN status is clear, and schedule the rear hatch hinge replacement if your VIN is included. Repair will be free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Chevrolet Corvette is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Chevrolet dealer to ask about the free rear hatch hinge replacement that brings the hatch-retention hardware up to the safety standard.
- Bring the recall notice if Chevrolet mailed one. If not, reference recall number 11V491 when you call.
- Keep the rear hatch closed and latched until the dealer confirms the hinge repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician replaces both rear hatch hinges on the affected Corvette coupe. The recall remedy states that Chevrolet notified owners and that the hinge replacement is free of charge. It also says the safety recall began on October 14, 2011. If your VIN is included and the repair has not been completed, ask the Chevrolet service desk to confirm the open recall and replace the hinges under campaign 11V491. Parts and labor are covered by the recall.
Timeline
| October 3, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 14, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V491?
Recall 11V491 covers 5,755 2011-2012 Chevrolet Corvette coupe vehicles with rear hatch hinges that do not meet federal load requirements. In a crash, the rear hatch can separate and increase injury risk. Chevrolet dealers replace both rear hatch hinges for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Chevrolet Corvette is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Corvette is included in recall 11V491. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule replacement of both rear hatch hinges. Reference recall 11V491 when you call. Chevrolet listed 1-800-630-2438 for owner questions.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Chevrolet dealers replace both rear hatch hinges free of charge under recall 11V491. The safety recall began on October 14, 2011.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is rear hatch separation in a crash. Recall 11V491 says the hatch hinges do not meet the required load standard, so the rear hatch can separate during a crash and increase the risk of injury. The free dealer repair replaces both hinges.
What if I bought my Chevrolet Corvette used?
The free repair still applies. Recall repairs follow the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2011-2012 Chevrolet Corvette is included in recall 11V491, then call a franchised Chevrolet dealer and reference the recall number.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V491000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-630-2438 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V491 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V491000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →