RoadVitals

1997 Chevrolet Corvette Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
153
Latest Apr 1, 2020
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

95
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 10643827 · filed Oct 10, 2014

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

NHTSA ID 10594470 · filed May 28, 2014
All 95 reports naming steering

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 10643827 · filed Oct 10, 2014

ENGINE AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ANSWERING DUPLICATE LETTER, REFERENCE NUMBER 10009877 ANAMARI 3-27-03 THE BALANCER AND THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED *TS. THE POWER STEERING BELT WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10011569 · filed Apr 4, 2003
All 16 reports naming engine

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11319906 · filed Apr 1, 2020

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

NHTSA ID 10395396 · filed Apr 10, 2011
All 14 reports naming interior & seats

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11319906 · filed Apr 1, 2020

FILLED GAS TANK..NEXT DAY GAS LEAKING WITH HEAVY GAS FUMES..MOVED CAR OUT OF GARAGE AND PARKED IN THE STREET..

NHTSA ID 11291528 · filed Dec 27, 2019
All 12 reports naming fuel system

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

RECALL 00V111000. DRIVER'S LAP BELT DOES NOT RETRACT, CAUSING THE RESTRAINT TO BE INOPERABLE. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL BY THE VIN.*AK

NHTSA ID 865477 · filed Jul 17, 2000

THE SEAT BELT FOLDED INSIDE AND JAMED, WOULDN'T MOVE IN OR OUT

NHTSA ID 709589 · filed Aug 4, 1999
All 8 reports naming seat belts

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BATTERY LEAKAGE CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO WIRING HARNESS AND TCM COMPONETS.THE BATTERY POST FAILED AND ACID WAS RELEASED THRU BATTERY HOLDER TO COMPONETS BELOW.THIS ITEM IS A HAZARD SINCE IT TOTAL DISABLE CAR ELECTRONICS.AND IS OF POOR DESIGN PUTTING COMPUTER AND MAIN WIRING HARNESS DIRECTLY BELOW BATTERY CASE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FIND THIS HAS BEEN MANY SUCH INSTINCES OF THIS HAPPENING AND THE COST IS NOT CHEAP AT ABOUT $3000 TO $4000.*AK

NHTSA ID 10028754 · filed Jul 21, 2003

THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT HAD COME ON WHILE TRAVELING. THE REPAIR WORK WAS MADE ON THE PULLEY, AND THE BALANCER. THE TOP PULLEY LOOKED AS IF SOMEONE BEGAN TO WORK ON IT BUT DIDN'T FINISH BECAUSE THE BOLTS WERE LOOSE. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROGRAM ERROR. THE PRIMARY BELT/TENSIONER BELT HAD COME OFF-THE TENSIONER BELT WAS REPLACED. THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP, THE POWER STEERING BELT WAS TAKEN OFF. THE LOW TRACTION LIGHT HAD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE ACCELERATING AND MAKING TURNS. THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTES WERE INOPERATIVE AND WERE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE. REFER TO ODI#10002502 SCC REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS

NHTSA ID 10009877 · filed Mar 25, 2003
All 8 reports naming electrical

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REIMBURSEMENT OF REPAIR EXPENSES FOR BRAKE FAILURE.*MR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *CB

NHTSA ID 10033927 · filed Aug 13, 2003

EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD PROPERLY WHEN ENGAGED, VEHICLE WILL ROLL ON AN INCLINE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE DAMAGE WAS MINIMAL. *SLC

NHTSA ID 8004971 · filed Mar 5, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 10429038 · filed Oct 7, 2011

VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED NO START CONDITON AND VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO GO OVER 5 MPH SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS AND REPAIRS. (BATTERY,ELECTRICAL CONTROL UNITS(TCM,EBTCM,TAC) REPLACED TWO TIMES, FOR LEAK AND FAILURE,TP SENSOR REPLACED. YH

NHTSA ID 550989 · filed Feb 17, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT HAD COME ON WHILE TRAVELING. THE REPAIR WORK WAS MADE ON THE PULLEY, AND THE BALANCER. THE TOP PULLEY LOOKED AS IF SOMEONE BEGAN TO WORK ON IT BUT DIDN'T FINISH BECAUSE THE BOLTS WERE LOOSE. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROGRAM ERROR. THE PRIMARY BELT/TENSIONER BELT HAD COME OFF-THE TENSIONER BELT WAS REPLACED. THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP, THE POWER STEERING BELT WAS TAKEN OFF. THE LOW TRACTION LIGHT HAD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE ACCELERATING AND MAKING TURNS. THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTES WERE INOPERATIVE AND WERE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE. REFER TO ODI#10002502 SCC REF. IN EA02-031 *CJS

NHTSA ID 10009877 · filed Mar 25, 2003

T-TOP ROOF ASSEMBLY IS SEPARATING FROM VEHICLE. THERE IS SLIGHTLY MORE THAN AN 1/8" SEPARATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID 888999 · filed May 23, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE BOTH EXTERIOR VIEW MIRRORS RETAINER CLIP BROKE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH

NHTSA ID 10031742 · filed Jul 31, 2003

VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED NO START CONDITON AND VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO GO OVER 5 MPH SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS AND REPAIRS. (BATTERY,ELECTRICAL CONTROL UNITS(TCM,EBTCM,TAC) REPLACED TWO TIMES, FOR LEAK AND FAILURE,TP SENSOR REPLACED. YH

NHTSA ID 550989 · filed Feb 17, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10353860 · filed Sep 4, 2010

CRACK WHEELS IN THE OUTBOARD AREA OF THE INNER PORTION OF RIM. *NM

NHTSA ID 10135017 · filed Aug 31, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND THE TRACTON CONTROL AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DISENGAGED AND AS I ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND SLID INTO THE CURB AND DID EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.*AK

NHTSA ID 758842 · filed Mar 2, 2002

THE CAR'S TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ENGAGES EVEN WHEN WHEELS ARE NOT SLIPPING. IT DID THIS ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE AT FIRST, BUT NOW IT DOES IT EVERY TIME I TRY TO DRIVE THE CAR. WHEN THE TCS KICKS IN, THE ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED SO YOU CAN ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 15MPH. IT SLOWS THE CAR DOWN ABRUBTLY AND NEVER TURNS OFF UNTIL YOU TURN OFF THE CAR. THE DASH DISPLAYS MANY ERROR MESSAGES REPEATEDLY SUCH AS "SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM" "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" "SERVICE ABS SYSTEM" "CHECK ENGINE". THIS IS A SUPER SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN YOU HAVE A 345HP CAR, YOU TEND TO PULL OUT ON TO A HIGHWAY KNOWING YOU CAN GET UP TO SPEED QUICKLY. SEVERAL TIMES, I PULLED OUT AND THE CAR'S ENGINE CUT OUT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OTHER 97 CORVETTE OWNERS AND GM SHOULD HANDLE THIS WITH A RECALL TO FIX THE FAULTY COMPONENTS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 14,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID 748339 · filed Jul 12, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED NO START CONDITON AND VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO GO OVER 5 MPH SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS AND REPAIRS. (BATTERY,ELECTRICAL CONTROL UNITS(TCM,EBTCM,TAC) REPLACED TWO TIMES, FOR LEAK AND FAILURE,TP SENSOR REPLACED. YH

NHTSA ID 550989 · filed Feb 17, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED MY 1997 CORVETTE. I WAS DRIVING AROUND A CORNER AT 45 MPH WHEN WHEN I LOST CONTROL AND SPUN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE ROADS WERE WET AND THE CAR WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. I READ YOUR REPORT ON THE CRACKED A-ARM OR RADIUS ARM AND WAS CURIOS AS TO WHEATHER MY CAR COULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THAT. ANY INFORMATION ON THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. 3 PEOPLE WERE CRITICALLY INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT, MYSELF BEING ONE OF THEM AND I'M LOOKING FOR ANSWERS. SINCERLY, SCOTT ROGGENBECK

NHTSA ID 700747 · filed Nov 19, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .