ChevroletCorvette1973Overview/chevrolet/corvette/1973/base/

1973 Chevrolet Corvette

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1973 Corvette.

The 1973 Chevrolet Corvette, a model distinguished by its body style, platform architecture, and engine configuration, appears at the early stage of the model's complaint record that spans 1990 through 2025. In that history, the lowest complaint count of eight occurred in 1992, while the peak of 588 complaints arrived in 2008, placing the 1973 model year before the period of higher reported issues. Consequently, the 1973 Corvette is situated in a phase of relatively lower complaint frequency within the broader reliability timeline.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020191973

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length181.9 in
Overall width67.7 in
Overall height46.9 in
Wheelbase96.5 in
Curb weight3274 lb

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Corvette of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–6.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 1973 Stingray LS4 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1973Stingray LS4 Coupe 7.4L V86.40 sec14.60 sec275 hpRWD
1973Stingray LS4 Coupe 7.4L V86.40 sec14.70 sec275 hpRWD
1973Stingray L82 Coupe 5.7L V86.70 sec15.10 sec250 hpRWD
1974Stingray L82 Convertible 5.7L V87.40 sec15.80 sec250 hpRWD
1971Stingray LS6 Coupe 7.4L V85.30 sec13.80 sec425 hpRWD
1971Stingray LS5 Coupe 7.4L V85.70 sec14.20 sec365 hpRWD
1971Stingray LT-1 Coupe 5.7L V86.00 sec14.57 sec330 hpRWD
1971Stingray L48 Coupe 5.7L V87.10 sec15.55 sec270 hpRWD

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

03E032000Service Brakes, Air:Disc:CaliperReported 12/05/2003

REMANUFACTURERD REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, PART NOS. 18-7019, 18-7020, 16-7019, AND 16-7020, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2002, TO APRIL, 25, 2003., AND FOR USE ON 1965 THRU 1982 CHEVROLET CORVETTES. THE SUBJECT BRAKE… Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND ALL UNSOLD INVENTORY WILL BE REPURCHASED AND WILL PROVIDE A FULL REFUND TO CUSTOMERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Corvette. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 1973 Corvette have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.