Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
490–25K
5925–50K
3450–75K
1175–100K
16100–150K
4150K+
173 reports with mileage · 104 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 168 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports0 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
277 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2000
Steering
THIS ITEM HAS FAILED ON ESTIMATED OVER 3000 CORVETTES THROUGHOUT THE USA- PLEASE SEE INTERNET SITE. WWW.CORVETTEFORUM.COM. AS A SAFETY PROFESSIONAL I SEE THIS AS A HAZARD THAT CHEVROLET NEEDS TO ADDRESS WITH MORE SEVERITY. THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY COST AS WELL AS DEATH. …
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THIS ITEM HAS FAILED ON ESTIMATED OVER 3000 CORVETTES THROUGHOUT THE USA- PLEASE SEE INTERNET SITE. WWW.CORVETTEFORUM.COM. AS A SAFETY PROFESSIONAL I SEE THIS AS A HAZARD THAT CHEVROLET NEEDS TO ADDRESS WITH MORE SEVERITY. THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY COST AS WELL AS DEATH. *AK REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS
NHTSA ODI #726189
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2000
Seat Belts
RE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V111000 CHEVROLET TELLS ME THERE IS NO RECALL. MY BELTS CONTINUE TO FAIL. WHAT CAN I DO? *AK
NHTSA ODI #725924
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2000
Seat Belts
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 10461. LAP BELT WEBBING CAN TWIST, ALLOWING WEBBING TO JAM IN THE RETRACTOR. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SEATBELT WITH THE PROBLEM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, BUT NOT THE DRIVER'S SIDE. ALSO, DID NOT INSTALL INSERTS TO THE BELT WEB GUIDE OF EACH…
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VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 10461. LAP BELT WEBBING CAN TWIST, ALLOWING WEBBING TO JAM IN THE RETRACTOR. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SEATBELT WITH THE PROBLEM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, BUT NOT THE DRIVER'S SIDE. ALSO, DID NOT INSTALL INSERTS TO THE BELT WEB GUIDE OF EACH LAP BELT RETRACTOR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #865540
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2000
Steering
PE99066, STEERING COLUMN LOCK; WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, STEERING WHEEL JUST LOCKED UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED FOR THE TIME BEING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS
NHTSA ODI #865398
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
EXCESSIVE HEAT,EVEN WITH A/C ON MAX.INTOLERABLE INSIDE CAR WHILE DRIVING OR AT IDLE. SEATS AND CONSOLE HEATING UP SO MUCH THAT IT IS TO HOT TO TOUCH. POSSIBLE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF FOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTERS INSTEAD OF TWO FOR THE YEAR2000 CORVETTE. POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD AND DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING!*AK
NHTSA ODI #724702
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2000
SteeringSuspension
HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM REAR END WHENEVER A TURN WAS BEING MADE. ALSO, STEERING COLUMN INTERMITTENTLY LOCKED UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #864071
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2000
Steering
THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP AS I WAS PROCEEDING TO LEAVE A PARKING LOT. I HAVE READ SEVERAL REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND BELIEVE THIS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE STEERING LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I AM AFRAID THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY HERE! *AK REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS
NHTSA ODI #724118
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2000
Steering
STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP - RESPONSE FROM TOW TRUCK, DEALER REPAIR, GM ROAD SERVICE IS "IT HAPPENS ALL OF TH ETIME" I GUESS WE NEED TO WAIT FOR A FEW DEATHS BEFORE ANYONE DOES ANYTHING REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS
NHTSA ODI #724044
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2000
Electrical System
THE PCM REPORTS ERROR P1518, BUT IS INTERMITTENT (THUS IT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN IN YET INTIL IT IS MORE PREDICTABLE -IE SOLVABLE) THE REAL PROBLEM IS THE PCM REDUCES ENGINE TO IDLE UNTIL A POWER CYCLE - VERY DANGEROUS, BUT AS I HAVE FOUND OUT BEFORE INTERMITTENT FAILURES CAN NOT EASILY BE DIAGNOSED - SHOULD BE A CHECK TO RETURN POW…
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THE PCM REPORTS ERROR P1518, BUT IS INTERMITTENT (THUS IT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN IN YET INTIL IT IS MORE PREDICTABLE -IE SOLVABLE) THE REAL PROBLEM IS THE PCM REDUCES ENGINE TO IDLE UNTIL A POWER CYCLE - VERY DANGEROUS, BUT AS I HAVE FOUND OUT BEFORE INTERMITTENT FAILURES CAN NOT EASILY BE DIAGNOSED - SHOULD BE A CHECK TO RETURN POWER IF THE FAILURE IS GONE FOR A TIME.*AK
NHTSA ODI #723878
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN FUEL TANK IS COMPLETELY FULL FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE VENT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEMS (ECL), WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED TO "LOCK," THE ECL SYSTEM PREVENTS TURNING OF THE STEERING SYSTEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE ECL UNLOCKS THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED SO THAT IF THE COLUMN FAILS TO UNLOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND THE CUSTOMER TRIES TO DRIVE, THE FUEL SUPPLY WILL BE SHUT OFF SO THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT MOVE WHEN THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE STEERED. IF VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, HOWEVER, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR AND THE VEHICLE CAN BE ACCELERATED WHILE THE STEERING SYSTEM IS LOCKED. ALSO WHEN THE CONTROL SYSTEM SHOWS THAT THE ECL IS UNLOCKED AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE LOCK PIN LOCATION CAN VARY. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE LOCK PLATE RELATIVE TO THE SWITCH TRANSITION POINT, THERE COULD THEN BE CONTACT BETWEEN THE LOCK PLATE AND PIN CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING .
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL DISABLE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK BY REMOVING THE COLUMN LOCK PLATE. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WILL LOCK BUT THE STEERING COLUMN WILL NOT LOCK. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, PERFORM A DIMENSIONAL CHECK OF THE COLUMN LOCK AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LOCK PLATE. THE STEERING COLUMN ON THESE VEHICLES WILL CONTINUE TO LOCK WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED. OWNER NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS OF 1997 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2004. OWNERS OF 1998 THROUGH 2004 VEHICLES (EXCEPT 1997-1998 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) WILL BE NOTIFIED BEGINNING ON AUGUST 2, 2004. THE REMAINING OWNERS (1997-1998 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) WILL BE NOTIFIED LATER IN 2004, WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
IN 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) ISSUED CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 1044 AND 1044A TO ADDRESS A CONDITION WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FAIL TO UNLOCK DURING THE INITIAL KEY-IN AND START-UP IN CERTAIN MY 1998-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI CONTINUED TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP ON CORVETTE VEHICLES.AS A RESULT, PE02-054 WAS OPENED AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA02-031 FOR MY 1997-2001 SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED CONCERNS WITH POST-REPAIR FAILURES IN VEHICLES SERVICED THROUGH THE CAMPAIGNS, AS WELL AS, FAILURES IN MY 1997-2003 SUBJECT VEHICLES NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGNS.(NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER FAILURE DATA ABOVE IS LIMITED TO MY 1997-2003 VEHICLES THROUGH 10/17/2003.)ON FEBRUARY 6, 2004, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 1997-2004 CORVETTE VEHCLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND MY 1997-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT IF THE VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM), WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO SHUT DOWN THE FUEL SUPPLY WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE CUSTOMER TRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR.AS A RESULT, THE CUSTOMER COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHILE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLY CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE PCM REPROGRAMMED FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND THE ELECTRIC COLUMN LOCK DISABLED FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Steering:column
IN 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) ISSUED CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 1044 AND 1044A TO ADDRESS A CONDITION WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FAIL TO UNLOCK DURING THE INITIAL KEY-IN AND START-UP IN CERTAIN MY 1998-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI CONTINUED TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP ON CORVETTE VEHICLES.AS A RESULT, PE02-054 WAS OPENED AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA02-031 FOR MY 1997-2001 SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED CONCERNS WITH POST-REPAIR FAILURES IN VEHICLES SERVICED THROUGH THE CAMPAIGNS, AS WELL AS, FAILURES IN MY 1997-2003 SUBJECT VEHICLES NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGNS.(NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER FAILURE DATA ABOVE IS LIMITED TO MY 1997-2003 VEHICLES THROUGH 10/17/2003.)ON FEBRUARY 6, 2004, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 1997-2004 CORVETTE VEHCLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND MY 1997-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT IF THE VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM), WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO SHUT DOWN THE FUEL SUPPLY WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE CUSTOMER TRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR.AS A RESULT, THE CUSTOMER COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHILE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLY CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE PCM REPROGRAMMED FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND THE ELECTRIC COLUMN LOCK DISABLED FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
IN 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) ISSUED CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 1044 AND 1044A TO ADDRESS A CONDITION WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FAIL TO UNLOCK DURING THE INITIAL KEY-IN AND START-UP IN CERTAIN MY 1998-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI CONTINUED TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP ON CORVETTE VEHICLES.AS A RESULT, PE02-054 WAS OPENED AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA02-031 FOR MY 1997-2001 SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED CONCERNS WITH POST-REPAIR FAILURES IN VEHICLES SERVICED THROUGH THE CAMPAIGNS, AS WELL AS, FAILURES IN MY 1997-2003 SUBJECT VEHICLES NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGNS.(NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER FAILURE DATA ABOVE IS LIMITED TO MY 1997-2003 VEHICLES THROUGH 10/17/2003.)ON FEBRUARY 6, 2004, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 1997-2004 CORVETTE VEHCLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND MY 1997-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT IF THE VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM), WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO SHUT DOWN THE FUEL SUPPLY WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE CUSTOMER TRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR.AS A RESULT, THE CUSTOMER COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHILE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLY CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE PCM REPROGRAMMED FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND THE ELECTRIC COLUMN LOCK DISABLED FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Steering
IN 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) ISSUED CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 1044 AND 1044A TO ADDRESS A CONDITION WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FAIL TO UNLOCK DURING THE INITIAL KEY-IN AND START-UP IN CERTAIN MY 1998-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI CONTINUED TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP ON CORVETTE VEHICLES.AS A RESULT, PE02-054 WAS OPENED AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA02-031 FOR MY 1997-2001 SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED CONCERNS WITH POST-REPAIR FAILURES IN VEHICLES SERVICED THROUGH THE CAMPAIGNS, AS WELL AS, FAILURES IN MY 1997-2003 SUBJECT VEHICLES NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGNS.(NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER FAILURE DATA ABOVE IS LIMITED TO MY 1997-2003 VEHICLES THROUGH 10/17/2003.)ON FEBRUARY 6, 2004, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 1997-2004 CORVETTE VEHCLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND MY 1997-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT IF THE VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM), WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO SHUT DOWN THE FUEL SUPPLY WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE CUSTOMER TRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR.AS A RESULT, THE CUSTOMER COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHILE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLY CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE PCM REPROGRAMMED FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND THE ELECTRIC COLUMN LOCK DISABLED FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
PE02054 · Steering Column Lockup
Opened Jul 1, 2002 · Closed Nov 15, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
SEE RESUME IN REPOSITORY.
EA00009 · Front Lap Belt Malfunction
Opened Mar 16, 2000 · Closed Apr 18, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
ODI OPENED THIS EA00-009 ON MARCH 16, 2000, TO CONTINUE ANALYSES BEGUN UNDER PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE99-076.THE ALLEGED DEFECT: LAP BELT WEBBING IN BOTH SEATING POSITIONS TENDS TO FOLD OVER WHILE ENTERING THE RETRACTOR OPENING.THESE FOLDS FREQUENTLY IMPEDE PROPER WEBBING RETRACTION.IF THE RETRACTOR HAS BEEN INADVERTENTLY TOGGLED INTO AUTOMATIC LOCK RETRACTOR (ALR) MODE BY BEING EXTENDED TO ITS FULL LENGTH, IT MAY FAIL TO RESET ITSELF TO THE NORMAL EMERGENCY LOCK RETRACTOR (ELR) MODE.SUCH A CONDITION HAS BEEN SHOWN TO RENDER THE ACTIVE RESTRAINT UNUSABLE.CONCLUSION: GM WILL REMEDY THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN 71,569 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO AUGUST 1999 BY ADDING WEBBING GUIDE INSERTS TO THE LAP RETRACTOR OPENINGS OF BOTH SEATING POSITIONS TO PREVENT THE ADMISSION OF FOLDED WEBBING ONTO THE RETRACTOR SPOOL.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN CLOSED.
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