Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1978 Corvette.
The 1978 Chevrolet Corvette, as recorded in the Overview, logged a single owner complaint centered on Structure and carried two recalls. Its complaint record is situated within a broader history that spans 1990 to 2025, with the lowest annual count of eight complaints in 1992 and a peak of 588 complaints in 2008. Accordingly, the 1978 model year appears at the early edge of the data set, preceding the periods of higher complaint volume but aligning with an overall trajectory that has generally trended toward fewer complaints.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 182.3 in |
| Overall width | 67.7 in |
| Overall height | 47.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 96.5 in |
| Curb weight | 3501 lb |
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.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Targa Coupe 5.7L V8 | 7.80 sec | 16.10 sec | 220 hp | RWD |
| 1977 | L82 Coupe 5.7L V8 | 6.80 sec | 15.50 sec | 210 hp | RWD |
| 1979 | L82 Coupe 5.7L V8 | 6.60 sec | 15.30 sec | 225 hp | RWD |
| 1976 | Stingray L82 Coupe 5.7L V8 | 7.10 sec | 15.30 sec | 210 hp | RWD |
| 1980 | Targa Coupe 5.7L V8 | 7.60 sec | 15.90 sec | 190 hp | RWD |
| 1975 | Stingray Coupe 5.7L V8 | 7.70 sec | 16.10 sec | 165 hp | RWD |
| 1981 | Coupe 5.7L V8 | 7.20 sec | 15.40 sec | 190 hp | RWD |
| 1974 | Stingray L82 Convertible 5.7L V8 | 7.40 sec | 15.80 sec | 250 hp | RWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The federal record provided begins in 1990, so there are no complaint, recall, or investigation figures for the 1978 Corvette. Consequently, the 1978 model falls outside the trend arc that shows a gradual rise in complaints and recalls through the 1990s, a peak in the late 1990s, and a general decline thereafter. Because the data does not specify any root cause for the single structure complaint listed for 1978, we cannot assess whether that issue was isolated or part of a broader pattern. Without comparable federal data, the 1978 Corvette cannot be judged by the same metrics used for later years. Therefore, if you are considering a 1978 Corvette, rely on independent inspection and historical reliability reports rather than the federal trend presented.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
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…
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.