2001 Chevrolet Corvette: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 203 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (36% of complaints); the 2003 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 203 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My steering column lock has failed on my C5 Corvette. I understand that there was a previous recall for this, but I have been the owner of this car since 2001 and was never notified by mail of the recall by GM. When I contact GM, they indicate that the recall is expired and there is nothing that they can do. HELP!!!”Owner report · Steering · May 2022
“Have 2001 manual 6 speed corvette. Column locks up. Have no way to start car or steer. Worried car will lock up steering column while driving. Gm says there's no recall on this. Seems to be a problem on c5 Corvettes.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2021
“I pulled out into traffic and almost got killed! The console lock screen came on, and my car stopped as well! The wheel was not locked. The car that was so very understanding, suggest I get a ford. Gm truly needs to recall every car they have to be recalled for their loyal customers lives. I will be contacting a lawyer as well! I had just come to a stop, and proceeded with the turn, with plenty of distance had this foolishness not have happened. Now I see this in just about everywhere on this computer! Fix this idiots at general motors!!!”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“2001 corvette, passenger side front wheel has an approx 3" crack where the spoke meets the rim and runs from where the tire mounts to inside the wheel affected wheel loses 20psi of air per hour.”Owner report · Wheels · Nov 2019
“Recall number 04v060000 recall date 02/09/2004 component steering:column locking:anti-theft device summary. Steering locked at exiting freeway. The fuel supply shut off so the vehicle cannot moved. The vehicle cannot be steered.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2019
“When you fill up the fuel tanks you get a very strong smell of gas in the car as well as in the garage. General motors knows about this complaint and will help their customers. In fact there is a class action lawsuit against gm for year corvette 2004. It will cost about $ 2,000.00 to $ 2,500.00 to make the repairs. A lot of times the right tank is cracked or the crossover tube is cracked . I have called gm and asked for help and they will not accept this as a warranty issue. There are many complaints about this issue . By the way all the gm dealers are aware of the issue. Can you help me out ? You smell the fuel when the car is stopped.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet corvette. When the contact started the vehicle, the steering column seized and the check steering column warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as tsb number: 04006c. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to call NHTSA. The manufacturer provided case number: 8-4532782724. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet corvette. While restarting the engine, a "service steering column" message appeared and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer (dave mcdermott chevrolet, 655 main st, east haven, ct) where it was diagnosed that the steering column locking mechanism failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column actuator was faulty. The vehicle was repaired and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,996.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2018
“When I bought the car I noticed the antenna stopped working but I hear the motor running after I turn the car on and off . Also my park lights come on and off and keeps going out with good fuses, also my horn won't blow and it has good fuses also my seat will only move forward and backward but not up to give me height this is both in motion and parked”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet corvette. While the vehicle was in reverse, the steering wheel seized and the engine stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called a dealer (john l sullivan chevrolet 350 automall dr, roseville, ca 95661 (916) 782-1243), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that no recall was associated with the VIN and did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 134,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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.
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 2001 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
NHTSA has 203 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Chevrolet Corvette. The most complained-about area is steering (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Corvette problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 42,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Chevrolet Corvette have open recalls?
3 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.