1997 Chevrolet Corvette Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
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
- Steering9553.1%
- Engine168.9%
- Interior & seats147.8%
- Fuel system126.7%
- Seat belts84.5%
- Electrical84.5%
- Brakes73.9%
- Driver assistance42.2%
- Body & structure42.2%
- Visibility31.7%
- Other / unspecified31.7%
- Transmission31.7%
- Exterior lighting10.6%
- Suspension10.6%
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.
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.
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
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.
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
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
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.
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
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.
FILLED GAS TANK..NEXT DAY GAS LEAKING WITH HEAVY GAS FUMES..MOVED CAR OUT OF GARAGE AND PARKED IN THE STREET..
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
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
THE SEAT BELT FOLDED INSIDE AND JAMED, WOULDN'T MOVE IN OR OUT
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
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
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
REIMBURSEMENT OF REPAIR EXPENSES FOR BRAKE FAILURE.*MR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *CB
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
T-TOP ROOF ASSEMBLY IS SEPARATING FROM VEHICLE. THERE IS SLIGHTLY MORE THAN AN 1/8" SEPARATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BOTH EXTERIOR VIEW MIRRORS RETAINER CLIP BROKE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
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
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.
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
CRACK WHEELS IN THE OUTBOARD AREA OF THE INNER PORTION OF RIM. *NM
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .