Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 153 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 153 · page 1 of 7
DRIVER SEAT ELECTRIC FASTENING MOUNTING WEAR IS TOO DEFECTIVE AND HAS TO BE REPLACES. IT MOVES IN AND OUT , SEAT IS MOVING BACK AND FORTH IN ALL POSITIONS. GM REFUSES TO RECALL THEIR PROBLEM.
FILLED GAS TANK..NEXT DAY GAS LEAKING WITH HEAVY GAS FUMES..MOVED CAR OUT OF GARAGE AND PARKED IN THE STREET..
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE GASKETS AROUND THE FUEL PUMP WERE LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
THE CHEVROLET CORVETTE WAS STARTED IN THE COURTHOUSE PARKING LOT MOVING IN REVERSE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACE NARROWING AVOIDING PEDESTRIANS. THE VEHICLE COULD BE MOVED IN EITHER DIRECTION, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED AND SUBSEQUENTLY TRANSPORTED TO PRINCETON CHEVROLET [FORMERLY KNOWN AS SUPERIOR CHEVROLET] IN LAWRENCEVILLE, NEW JERSEY FOR REPAIR. DURING PREVIOUS SERVICE, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR RECALLS INCLUDING THE STEERING DEFECT WITH THE MANAGER STATING THAT ALL RECALLS WERE COMPLETE. THE JUNE 26, 2013 DEALER STEERING REPAIR INVOICE MAKES NO MENTION OF THE SERVICE RECALL, THE MANAGER EXPLAINING THE JUNE 25, 2013 INCIDENT WAS UNRELATED TO THE STEERING DEFECT AND SAFETY RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR RESPOND TO OUR INQUIRIES REFERENCING THE "ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM" PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL [04006C] WHICH STATES;" GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT, WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY, EXISTS IN CERTAIN 1997-2004 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET CORVETTE VEHICLES.WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, IT UNLOCKS THE STEERING. TWO CONDITIONS CAN PREVENT STEERING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING: ... IF ONE OF THESE CONDITIONS OCCURS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING." [PG 1 RECALL BULLETIN NO.: 04006C] THE RECALL SPECIFICALLY WARNS DEALERS; "WHENEVER A VEHICLE SUBJECT TO A RECALL ... IS IN YOUR DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE ... YOU MUST TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO BE SURE THE RECALL CORRECTION HAS BEEN MADE BEFORE ... RELEASING THE VEHICLE." [PG 28 RECALL NO.: 04006C] WE REQUEST NHTSA INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE OF GENERAL MOTORS TO PROMPTLY ALERT OWNERS WITH THE LOCKING STEERING DEFECT, WHY THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED BY THE DEALER WITHOUT VERIFYING THE RECALL STEERING STATUS, AND WHETHER THE REPAIR PERFORMED AT PRINCETON CHEVROLET ON JUNE 26, 2013 WAS THE REPAIR PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN GM SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 04006C. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STEERING LOCK BOX WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CONTROL STEERING LOCK WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY FOR REPAIRS UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE). THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO EXPLAINED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS ONLY REQUIRED TO PAY FOR RECALL REPAIRS ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 268,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C5. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS RESOLVED TEMPORARILY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 48,000.
THERE APPEAR TO BE MANY VERIFIED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SEATS MOVING UNDER ACCELERATION AND/OR BRAKING IN THE 1997-2004 CORVETTES. WHY HAVEN'T YOU REQUIRED CHEVROLET TO FIX THIS? *TR
THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE SEAT TRACKS OF THE 1997 CORVETTE THAT CAUSE THE SEAT TO LURCH FORWARD ABOUT 1 INCH UNDER FIRM BRAKING. THIS SUDDEN CHANGE IN THE SEAT POSITION CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM IS REPORTED TO EXIST IN ALL CORVETTES MANUFACTURED FROM 1997 THROUGH 2004. CHEVROLET AND GM HAVE LONG BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT PROVIDE A REPAIR UNLESS THE CUSTOMER PAYS OVER $500 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT TRACK. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CHEVROLET SHOULD BE ORDERED TO CORRECT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. *TR
THE GAS GAUGE IN THE 1997 CORVETTE, AS WELL AS ALL OTHER C5 CORVETTES BUILT FROM 1997 THROUGH 2004, WILL SUDDENLY FALL TO EMPTY WITH NO WARNING, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS FUEL REMAINING. DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO QUICKLY STOP FOR FUEL CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS PROBLEM SINCE THE DRIVER WILL NOT KNOW IF THEY ARE ABOUT TO RUN OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING. CHEVROLET AND GM HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR MANY, MANY YEARS AND REFUSE TO FIX IT WITHOUT EXPENSIVE REPAIRS THAT COULD COST AS MUCH AS $1800 WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED. I BELIEVE THIS ENTIRE RANGE OF VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED TO CORRECT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. *TR
TRACTION SYSTEM CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, NO POWER STEERING,ENGINE WILL NOT RUN ACTS LIKE ITS OUT OF GAS . ON 4 OCCASIONS THE SAME SYSTEM HAS OCCURRED 1ST OCCURRENCE 5/06 REPLACED SHORTED AIR PUMP ASSEMBLY 2ND OCCURRENCE 1/07 REPLACED SHORTED AIR PUMP ASSEMBLY UNDER WARRANTY 3RD OCCURRENCE 6/09 REPLACED BAD TB SENSOR AT TBI 4TH OCCURRENCE 9/10 REPLACING ACCUMULATOR MODULE I WORK NIGHTS AND FREEWAY WAY DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES EACH WAY MY QUESTION WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF THIS SYSTEM WOULD HAVE OCCURRED DURING RUSH HOUR. ( LUCKY FOR ME THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN AFTER A STOP.) OR IS MY LUCK GOING TO RUN OUT? *TR
LOOSE SEAT TRACKS ON C5 CORVETTES (1997-2004). CHRONIC ISSUE WITH THAT MODEL OF CORVETTE. LEAVES SEATS IN A "ROCKING CHAIR" MOOD AND AFFECTS SAFETY BY DISTRACTING DRIVER AND SEAT NOT BEING SECURE IN CRASHES. SEATS HAVE TO BE REMOVED FROM CAR TO GET TO TRACKS. THEN TRACKS HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND RUBBER BUSHINGS THAT DETERIORATE EASILY AND THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED MORE DURABLE BUSHINGS OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. *TR
FUEL LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANK ALONG WITH STRONG ODOR OF GAS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN FEB 2010 I DO SEE A RECALL FOR OTHER CORVETTES SAME YEAR, BUT DIFFERENT VIN#'S. I AM CONCERNED THERE ARE MORE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE GM HAS NOT LOOKED AT . THIS CAR WAS MADE IN THE SAME PLANT AS THE OTHERS AND MY CAR HAS OTHER RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE THAT WERE FROM THAT PLANT BOWLING GREEN PLANT CODE 5. I AM CERTAIN THAT THOSE VIN #'S ARE NOT THE ONLY VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V060000 (STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT IS NOW EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE STATED IN THE RECALL. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BACK OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. ALSO, A WARNING MESSAGED APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, STATING THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING BOX MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SAME FAILURE HAS BEEN REPAIRED FIVE TIMES PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,000.
SERVICE BULLETIN 05081 JUST PERFORMED ON MY CORVETTE TO FIX A STEERING COLUMN LOCK PROBLEM. AFTER WORK PERFORMED I GET A MESSAGE TO REMOVE KEY AND WAIT 10 SEC. TGM COMPLETED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON MY CAR THAT LEAVES ME WITH A CAR THAT STALLS IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING. IN THE MANY YEARS I OWNED THE CAR I HAD ONLY GOTTEN THE MESSAGE ONCE, WHICH RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK. NOW SINCE THE SERVICE BULLETIN WAS DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM I GET THE MESSAGE EVERY OTHER TIME I START THE CAR. I FEEL AS THOUGH THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE I HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE OCCASION WHERE I DID NOT SEE THE INFO MESSAGE. I PROCEEDED TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR STALL AND ALMOST GET HIT BY A TRUCK. FORTUNATELY THE TRUCK WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE A COLLISION OCCURRED. THE TRUCK DRIVER WAS NOT VERY PATIENT AND PROCEEDED TO GIVE ME A FEW CHOICE WORDS WHILE I HAD TO GO THROUGH THE FAMOUS 10 SECOND DRILL 2 TIMES BEFORE I COULD GET THE CAR TO RUN. WHAT I REALLY EXPECT IS A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT FIXES A PROBLEM NOT CAUSES ONE I NOW HAVE AN UNSAFE CAR. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE IT FOR FEAR IT WILL STALL WHEN MOVING FROM A PARKED POSITION INTO TRAFFIC. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. THE CAR HAS STALLED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK! VERY UNSAFE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT 2 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN AND THE STEERING COLUMN SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER, HOWEVER, IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V060000 (STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE) TWO YEARS AGO. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 29,191.
GM STATES THAT THE RECALL ON MY 1997 CORVETTE HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN RESOLVED, WHEN I PRIOR HAD NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE RECALL. AFTER PERSISTENTLY GIVING THEM THE RECALL NUMBER THEY FINALLY ADMITTED TO THE RECALL APPLYING TO MY VEHICLE, BUT STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED TO SPECIFICATIONS, WHEN IN FACT ALL THEY DID WAS RESET THE COMPUTER FOR A TEMPORARY FIX. THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED AND ALL COST INCURRED WOULD BE MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. I REALLY FEEL THAT A RECALL FOR THIS SEVERE OF AN OCCURRENCE SHOULD STAY OPEN UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS COMPLETELY REMEDIED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS FAULTY PART THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REQUIRE AN OPEN RECALL ON. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V060000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE STEERING HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED A NEW COLUMN LOCK PLATE WAS NEEDED. UPDATED 5/10/2006 - THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE ONLY REMEDY WAS TO REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A RELAY THAT DID NOT WORK. *NM
CRACK WHEELS IN THE OUTBOARD AREA OF THE INNER PORTION OF RIM. *NM
ON 12/21/04 I BROUGHT MY 1997 CORVETTE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET SERVICED FOR THE "#4006 ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM" RECALL. LAST THURSDAY (8/11/05) MY VEHICLE'S STEERING LOCKUP UP WHILE MOVING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT. IT WAS TOWED IN TO BYERS DUBLIN CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP (614-793-4800) THE NEXT DAY. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL AND THAT I NEEDED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER STEERING LOCK ACTUATOR FOR $475. I HAVE READ ON VARIOUS NEWSGROUPS THAT THIS TYPE OF LOCKUP CAN HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN IF THE LOCK PLATE IS STILL IN PLACE. I HAVE REQUESTED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO JUST REMOVE THIS LOCK PIN AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PAY FOR THEIR LABOR TO DO SO, BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO IT. I'VE TALKED TO CHEVROLET CORPORATE (TICKET # 1-355691956) AND THEY STILL REFUSE TO PUT IN A BYPASS OR TO REMOVE THIS LOCK ALTOGETHER. CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME ADVISE ON HOW TO RESOLVE THIS SO THAT I AM NOT DRIVING AROUND IN A CAR THAT COULD HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK UP AT ANY GIVEN TIME? IT IS A HAZARD FOR ME AND A LIABILITY TO CHEVROLET. THANKS, -KEVIN. *JB
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS A MENTIONED IN RECALL 97V105000 CONCERNING SENDING UNIT. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK THERE WAS GAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF HOSE FAILURE. *JB *NM
THE POWER SEAT MOTORS UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT CAME LOSE AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH AND ALSO SLIDE FRONT TO BACK.*AK
RECALL CAMPAIGN:04V060000 THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF THE STEERING RECALL PRIOR TO RECEIVING NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS. *NM THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. *SC *JB
THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. *JB THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE COMPUTER READ PULL KEY WAIT 10 SECONDS. THE COMPUTER THEN READ SERVICE COLUMN LOCK. RECALL# 04V060000. *SC
NHTSA RECALL 04V-060000, ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK. VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AN ECL COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT UNLOCK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE HAD A MANUAL TRANSMISSION IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *LA
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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