1999 Chevrolet Corvette: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 308 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (61% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks 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 308 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering) in 2019. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Service - Steering Column Lock" was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who informed the contact that he needed to pay for a diagnostic test to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would follow up with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 37,300.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2024
“Something is wrong where it will stall out when you start driving. Soon as I put the car in gear and start rolling forward it dies. And I've looked online and it's quite common.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2023
“Almost every C5 (1997-2004) Corvette is affected by a faulty electronic brake control module. When this module fails, the car illuminates the ABS and traction control light. And displays service abs and service traction control messages. This is a serious safety issue as when this happens, the abs brakes no longer work nor does the traction control. It blows my mind how this has never been recalled especially on a rear drive sports car.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“Steering column lock warning light on vehicle which was recalled in 2004 and GM says my vehicle was not involved with recall and will not repair vehicle.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2021
“After parking and trying to restart the engine the message "steering column maintainance needed" the engine started but when I put it in gear the engine stopped. After trying to start the car again and again the same result. I checked the owners manuel and found no such item. After sitting for about 20 minutes the cat did start and I got home.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2020
“Fuel leak from the passenger fuel tank. This is creating a fuel vapor smell inside the car and the garage where parked. This is a fire and safety hazard!”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2019
“The car was in the chevrolet dealers for rear brake lights the were not working. They called and said the steering wheel column locked and will have to be replaced originally the cost was $230 now it's over $1100”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2018
“I am the third owner of this car and it has 24,500 original miles. At 19,000 (4/19/2004) the steering column lock recall was performed. Then in 2006 it was announced that even those initial recall repairs were failing and it was suggested to have the locking pin removed altogether which never was done to my car. My car currently has a locked pin and the dealer says they will not do the repair or remove the pin for free unless I file a complaint with the nhta.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2018
“Gas leaking on top of exhaust on drivers side of vehicle. Noticed drip on floor of garage when parked overnight. Parked car for the rest of the year. Have not driven since.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2018
“My steering column failed in "locked" position. Car can not be driven. I called chevy global and told my car was not covered in recall number 04006c. I called dealer and was told the steering column was fixed in 2004, two years before the 2006 recall. I asked how could the column lock if the original lock plate was removed? No one can answer that. They proceeded to remove the lock plate and charge me $300. I never received any notification of this recall or service bulletin back in 2006.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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.
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 1999 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
NHTSA has 308 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette. The most complained-about area is steering (61% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Corvette problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 45,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette have open recalls?
4 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.