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2021 Chevrolet Corvette

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Corvette.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette is a high‑performance coupe built on the mid‑engine platform that pairs a 7.5‑quart 0W‑40 oil system with an automatic S8 transmission, delivering EPA ratings of 15 / 27 / 19 mpg for city/highway/combined. Its power‑train design, while praised for agility, accounts for the vehicle’s 11 owner complaints in the current year, a modest figure relative to the 1990‑2025 complaint spectrum that peaked at 588 in 2008 and bottomed at eight in 1992; the two recalls for this model year further underscore its overall reliability profile. In short, the 2021 Corvette sits comfortably within a historically low‑complaint bracket, indicating a solid reliability record for researchers assessing its long‑term ownership experience.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-40OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/27/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/35ZR19 (89Y), Rear: 305/30ZR20 (99Y)OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5, Rear: 11 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter25206377
Engine air filter84321605
Spark plug12622442
Battery88866309
Front wiper blades84566977 alt 84566978
Serpentine belt12731925 alt 12643218
Thermostat12661950 alt 12587397
Cabin air filter13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length182.3 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height48.4 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight3474 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)40/60

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 27 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

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.

2.9–3.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 2.90 sec — 2021 Stingray 2LT Coupe (Z51 Pack)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021Stingray 2LT Coupe (Z51 Pack) 6.2L V82.90 sec11.20 sec495 hpRWD
2021Stingray 2LT Coupe (Z51 Pack) 6.2L V83.10 sec11.40 sec495 hpRWD
2020Stingray 3LT Coupe (Z51 Pack) 6.2L V82.80 sec11.20 sec495 hpRWD
2020Stingray 3LT Coupe (Z51 Pack) 6.2L V82.80 sec11.10 sec495 hpRWD
2020Stingray 3LT Coupe (Z51 Pack) 6.2L V83.00 sec11.30 sec495 hpRWD
2020Stingray 1LT Coupe 6.2L V83.30 sec11.50 sec495 hpRWD
2023Z06 3LZ 70th Anniversary Convertible 5.5L V82.60 sec10.60 sec670 hpRWD
2023Z06 3LZ Z07 Coupe (Carbon Aero) 5.5L V82.60 sec10.50 sec670 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.5 qt of 0W-40 engine oil, Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDot 4
Brake Fluid Capacity1.0 pt
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL
Engine Coolant CapacityModels not equipped with RPO Codes V08 or V09
Engine Oil0W-40
Engine Oil Capacity7.5 qt
Manual Transmission FluidPentosin FFL-4 DCT Fluid
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity11.62 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)21.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Automatic Transmission Drain Plug16.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.90 lbs.
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity2.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

At 7,500 miTransmission Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Transmission Filter (replace)
At 45,000 miTransmission Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect)
Every 75,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette shows marked improvement over its 2020 predecessor, with consumer complaints dropping sharply from 34 to 11 and recalls decreasing from 4 to 2, while technical service bulletins fell from 919 to 764. Within the 2020–2025 generation arc, 2021 represents the low point for complaints—subsequent model years saw filings rebound to 20–22 annually—suggesting early production issues had largely stabilized by the second year. Powertrain and electrical system concerns dominated the limited complaint volume with 6 and 3 filings respectively, though the federal data does not specify underlying mechanical causes for these reports. With minimal safety incidents—only 1 crash-related complaint and zero fire complaints—and sitting at the bottom of the complaint curve before volumes rebounded in later years, the 2021 model emerges as a statistically advantageous year to purchase within this generation.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
764
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
11
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 11 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Power Train6
Electrical System3
Power Train,Electrical System,Service Brakes1
Air Bags,Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V421000Air Bags:Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/LightReported 10/06/2021

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… 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…

22V091000Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftReported 17/02/2022

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. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 764 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5966F2026-06-23Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIT6215C2026-05-20Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to dealership technicians that if they…
PIC6423A2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherPi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection…
PIC6551B2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless…
PIT65072026-04-20Unknown Or OtherThis PI communicates information on a SPS programming issue causing Serial Data…

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.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 48 batteryVehicles taking 7.5 qtEngine oil filter 25206377Engine air filter 84321605Spark plug 12622442Battery 88866309

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Corvette take?

7.5 qt of 0W-40, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Corvette have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Corvette get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 27 highway / 19 combined mpg.