1998 Chevrolet Corvette Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering column lock failed to unlock, preventing the vehicle from being driven. After turning the key, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The service steering column lock warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11607560

Incident

Aug 9, 2024

The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while the vehicle was with a local transmission mechanic for service, the technician was reversing out of the service bay when the Service Column warning light illuminated. No other warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to another local mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,565.

NHTSA ID

11565697

Incident

Jan 11, 2024

Mileage

59,565 mi

The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the steering column remained in the locked position and the steering wheel could not be turned in either direction. The contact stated that occasionally the message "Remove Key - Wait 10 Seconds" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced that failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11519241

Incident

Apr 21, 2023

Mileage

78,000 mi

I own a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The EBCM can have an issue. Complains of traction control, ABS braking and AH active handling. This can cause issues when driving with no ABS active. I have seen numerous complaints about this issue here and on various forums. Unfortunately the part needed to correct the issue is no longer available and for some reason cannot be repaired. Used parts are costly (2K or more) and no guarantee they work. GM should provide replacement part or work around. If not available they should offer total car buy backs for a fare price depending on condition or offer an exchange for a corvette that can be repaired.

NHTSA ID

11477534

Incident

Jul 31, 2022

The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on slick road surfaces, the contact lost control of the vehicle with the service traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact had called several dealers in the Miami area and was informed that the parts to repair the vehicle were no longer being manufactured. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. Consumer stated no aftermarket replacements available or made or remanufactured.

NHTSA ID

11438330

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

Mileage

110,000 mi

On July 27, 2021, I was cruising in my 1998 Convertible Chevy maunal Corvette with under 50k miles. I had it inspected around the end of June. I just driving pulled ahead of traffic and the clutch pedal went all the way down to floor as I approached a stop light!!! I lost all power. I didn't know what to do, but a light bulb in my head went off. But thankfully there was no traffic and I was able to run a light and coast into a gas station and get towed. Upon research the 1998 manual clutch design is used in newer vehicles that and its a system design flaw. Car at shop and we are waiting for parts that are back ordered. Since transmission has to come out I'm getting all clutch stuff fixed. But clutch wasn't bad just the Fly wheel and Master Salve. I will send you bill when I get it. I could have died, caused an accident, been rear ended, it was crazy.

NHTSA ID

11427829

Incident

Jul 27, 2021

THE CAR CONSTANTLY AND REGULARLY SMELLS LIKE GAS ON THE INSIDE.

NHTSA ID

11399014

Incident

Jan 11, 2020

Mileage

49,000 mi

THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. PROCEED TO START VEHICLE. STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP. HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. IN RESEARCHING INFORMATION REGARDING PAST RECALLS APPARENTLY HEDRICK'S DEALERSHIP OF FRESNO, CA COMPLETED WORK BUT IN ASKING WHAT THEY COMPLETED, I WAS INFORMED THAT ALL PAST COMPUTER DATA WAS PURGED FROM THEIR FILES SO THEY CANNOT TELL ME WHAT WAS COMPLETED. I THEN CALLED GM TO GET INFORMATION BUT AFTER TALKING TO THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE I WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHAT WAS COMPLETED. I REFERENCED A GM REPORT ENTITLED "04006C - PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL - FEBRUARY 8, 2006" IN TALKING WITH THE GM REPRESENTATIVES AND I WAS TOLD THE REPORT DIDN'T EXIST. THE REPORT WAS FOUND AT HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV. THIS REPORT REPLACED BULLETIN 04006B - NOVEMBER 23, 2004. IN READING ON NHTSA, SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME VEHICLE ISSUES WITH STEERING COLUMN. PLUS, WITH WORK BEING COMPLETED BUT STILL HAVING SAME ISSUES. CAN YOU ASSIST ME IN OBTAINING THE RECALL WORK COMPLETION REPORT ON MY VEHICLE? HEDRICK'S INDICATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW AT THE COST OF $165.00 AND THEN GO FROM THERE. IN READING "04006C - PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL - FEBRUARY 8, 2006" IT INDICATES, "DEALERS ARE TO SERVICE ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL AT NO CHARGE TO CUSTOMERS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, AGE OF VEHICLE, OR OWNERSHIP, FROM THIS TIME FORWARD." PLUS, WHATEVER WORK HEDRICK'S COMPLETED THE WORK WASN'T SUFFICIENT AS THE ISSUE OF THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKING UP CONTINUES.

NHTSA ID

11377500

Incident

Aug 22, 2020

Mileage

84,000 mi

THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NO EXTEND OUT OR RETRACT. JAMMING OCCURS EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS ISSUE. IT IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM THAT STARTED ABOUT IN 2018.

NHTSA ID

11319630

Incident

May 1, 2018

Mileage

5,000 mi

ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ON. WENT TO DEALER AND NO PART IS AVAILABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIR. SO I HAVE NO ABS OR TRACION CONTROL ON MY CAR PART NO 9367071 & 12530740

NHTSA ID

11278334

Incident

Aug 19, 2019

Mileage

82,122 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE MULTIPLE TIMES, SHOOK THE STEERING WHEEL, AND REMOVED THE BATTERY SO THE COMPUTER COULD REPROGRAM; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINED LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ID

11258559

Incident

Sep 23, 2019

Mileage

96,000 mi

PARKING BRAKES DON'T WORK.

NHTSA ID

11166746

Incident

May 7, 1999

Mileage

7,800 mi

AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS I WHAT TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAVE TO KEEP PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL A FEW TIMES BEFORE I CAN GET THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK.

NHTSA ID

11163942

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

Mileage

31,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL, THE CONTACT STARTED THE ENGINE, DROVE THREE FEET, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE THREE MORE FEET BEFORE THE ENGINE CUT OFF AGAIN. THE STEERING COLUMN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,253.

NHTSA ID

11161169

Incident

Dec 12, 2018

Mileage

48,253 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO SCHUMACHER BUICK GMC OF NORTH PALM BEACH DEALER LOCATED AT 3720 NORTHLAKE BLVD SUITE C, LAKE PARK, FL 33403 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK, THE STEERING PLATE, THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 866-790-5600 AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. A CASE NUMBER 8-3480612551 WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,500.

NHTSA ID

11046525

Incident

Oct 27, 2017

Mileage

79,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FAILED TO LOCK IN POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT CONTINUED TO SLIDE FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE SEAT SLID FORWARD AND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE SEAT SLID BACKWARDS. THE LOCAL DEALER (DON HATTAN EL DORADO, 1702 W CENTRAL AVE, EL DORADO, KS, 67042) WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD GIVE THE CONTACT A CALL BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

NHTSA ID

11031874

Incident

Sep 27, 2017

Mileage

97,000 mi

HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. HAD A SERVICE COLUMN LOCK DISPLAY. TOOK IT IN ON A RECALL. THEY FIXED IT AND 6 MONTHS LATER LEFT ME STRANDED AGAIN WITH SAME CODE. CHARGED ME 1000 DOLLARS TO TELL ME THE WHEEL LOCK BROKE. WE ALL KNOW THAT'S NOT TRUE. 2 WEEKS LATER HAVE A SERVICE POWER TRAIN WITH NUMEROUS CODES. HAVE TO RESET ALL CODES TO DRIVE CAR. THEY COME BACK WITH SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND HEATER BLOWS HOT ON ONE SIDE AND COLD ON OTHER. THEN NEXT DAY IT'S THE OPPOSITE. UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS THE ONLY CORVETTE THAT I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH AND ACCORDING TO THE REVIEWS. THE C5 CORVETTE HAS MANY DRIVE TRAIN ISSUES. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND RECALLED IF THEY WANT BUYERS TO CHEVROLET VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID

10969843

Incident

Jan 1, 2013

Mileage

90,000 mi

"TAKATA RECALL" STRONG FUEL VAPOR SMELL EMITTING FROM REAR OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

10967416

Incident

Mar 20, 2017

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR TORN MUSCLES IN HIS NECK, ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HEAD THREE INCHES ABOVE THE EAR, ONE RIB ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS FRACTURED, AND TORN MUSCLES IN THE LOWER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID

10945796

Incident

Jan 6, 2017

Mileage

106,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE COLUMN LOCK FAILURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HARNESS KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ID

10899726

Incident

Feb 25, 2016

Mileage

41,000 mi

I HAVE OWNED MY 1998 CORVETTE FOR TWO YEARS. THE PULL KEY AND WAIT 10 SECONDS AND THE SERVICE STEERING COLUMN LOCK ERRORS ARE CRIPPLING ME ENJOYMENT OF THE CAR. I HAVE INSTALLED AN LMC5 MODULE LAST YEAR AND THE PROBLEMS WILL NOT GO AWAY. THE RECALL ON THE SERVICE COLUMN LOCK WAS PERFORMED ON THE CAR WHICH REMOVED THE ACTUAL LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE STEERING COLUMN. BUT THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE OVER TWO MILES PER HOUR WITH THE ERROR MESSAGE AND I HAVE FOUND NO FIXED THAT HELP ME. WHAT IS GM DOING ABOUT THE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE PROBLEM ON THEIR MOST DISTINGUISHED CAR MODEL.... ? ALL INSTANCES HAPPEN WHEN FIRST STARITING THE CAR NO MATTER HOW LONG IT HAS SAT. BATTERY IS PERFECT. I VERY RARELY DIVE THE CAR, BUT WHEN I DO I HAVE THIS HORRIBLE PROBLEM AND IT IS GETTING WORSE.

NHTSA ID

10883365

Incident

Jul 6, 2016

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 12/01/16*LJ UDATED 12/05/16.*JB

NHTSA ID

10877114

Incident

Jun 22, 2016

Mileage

41,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SWITCHED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, IT MOVED FORWARD BRIEFLY AND STALLED AS THE COLUMN LOCK REPAIR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ID

10873821

Incident

Jun 11, 2016

Mileage

29,000 mi

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVER CAN SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK, CABLE WILL BREAK, DRIVER ASSUMES CAR IS IN PARK BUT DUE TO THE BREAK THE CAR IS STILL IN DRIVE AND WILL REMAIN IN FORWARD MOTION ALL THE WHILE THE SHIFTER INDICATES THE CAR IS IN PARK. SPOKE WITH CHEVY DEALER MECHANICS AND AM TOLD THIS IS VERY COMMON ON 1997-2000 CORVETTES.....HE SAYS THEY DO THE REPAIR ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. REPAIR COST WAS $345.00 INCLUDING THE PARTS.

NHTSA ID

10873358

Incident

Jun 6, 2016

THE MODULE CONTROLLING THE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM WAS POORLY DESIGNED BY GENERAL MOTORS AND TURNS OFF THE SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING. GENERAL MOTORS NO LONGER SUPPORTS THIS MODULE AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET A REPLACEMENT. WHEN THE SYSTEM SHUTS OFF A DANGEROUS SITUATION IS CREATED, THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE DIGITAL READOUTS REPEAT "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" AND "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING". THIS SITUATION HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION ON BOTH STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. I HOPE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING THAT THE NHTSA CAN DO SO THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO DRIVE A CAR THAT COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ID

10871592

Incident

Feb 28, 2016

Mileage

40,000 mi