1997 Chevrolet Corvette: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 153 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (59% of complaints); the 1995 and 1996 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2014
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2012
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Seats · Apr 2011
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Sep 2010
“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”Owner report · Seats · Sep 2010
“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”Owner report · Traction Control System · Sep 2010
“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”Owner report · Seats · Jul 2010
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2010
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
THE REAR SUSPENSION TIE ROD ASSEMBLY CAN FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT-HAND REAR SUSPENSION TIE ROD LINKS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELTS IN THESE VEHICLES INCORPORATE AN ENERGY MANAGEMENT LOOP. THIS LOOP IS INADEQUATE TO ABSORB THE NECESSARY FORCES THAT CAN BE EXERTED ON IT. THEREFORE, THE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE A TORN FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT/PUMP SEAL. THIS CAN CAUSE FUEL ODOR AND/OR LEAKAGE AT THE ATTACHMENT LOCATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT HAND FUEL TANK ASSEMBLIES (INCLUDING FUEL SENDING UNIT AND PUMP).
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 .
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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LAP BELT WEBBING CAN TWIST ALLOWING THE WEBBING TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL INSERTS TO THE BELT WEB GUIDE OF EACH LAP BELT RETRACTOR.
How other years compare
Check your exact Corvette by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
NHTSA has 153 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette. The most complained-about area is steering (59% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Corvette problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 42,258 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.