2002 Chevrolet Corvette: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 157 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (35% 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 157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while driving 5-10 MPH, the steering wheel locked-up, and the vehicle continued to drive in a circle. The steering column warning light was illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering), and the dealer determined that the electronic steering column lock replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The contact was referred to the dealer for financial assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 51,491.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2025
“The ignition key started the car but the car continued to stall out when the clutch was released failing to propel the car leaving me stranded with a running(ideling) but non functional vehicle.I could not move the vehicle and it was subject to traffic crash. I need to have the vehicle retrieved by the dealer for repait. It is non-operable. There weree no warnings to me on the vehicle that the p roblem existed”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2023
“Steering wheel is locked after parking it after work. The recall on all other vehicles my year that has been fixed by the factory has a wire ran to the pcm are computer not sure what they are calling it. But the fix will not let the steering wheel lock. And I have watched a lot of youtube videos on this in all of the factory fixed recalls the steering wheel doesn't lock. From what I see it tells me that the fix is complete. It is a 2002 with only 68000 miles. Any help please?”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“I bought car off internet not sure if any recalls have been done traction controls service ABS stability controls lights will not go off told that parts are discontinued you may reach me at [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2019
“Driving to work (in the dark) the low beam headlights shut off. Pulled the car over and turned the headlamp switch to on and they started working (was in auto sensor mode). Next day when I was leaving the house I turned the headlamp switch on, headlights popped up but did not come on. I could turn them to high beam and they worked but not on low. After driving the car and switching back and forth from high to low beam several times, the low beams started working again.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2019
“I have received several notices from auto nation chevrolet doral florida to bring my car in for recall gm 04006. When I took my car to them for the recall, I was told "the parts required for the recall are no longer made". I just received another notice from them. They should either make the parts or come to another resolution . I meanwhile can't drive the car because the steering wheel locks up. Help!!!”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2019
“Noticed a slight vibration coming from rear of car when driving on a paved smooth road at 65 mph. Upon later inspection, I discovered a 2" long cracked lr wheel the crack is located at the base of one of 5 slender spokes where it connects to the barrel of the wheel. Any retailer who lists this 18" forged aluminum wheel is out of stock as this upgraded wheel was under-designed for the loading that happens to a high performance vehicle. This is a common problem with the c5 corvettes and could result in a catastrophic accident at high interstate speeds.”Owner report · Wheels · May 2018
“Warning light occurred once I tried what was said, remove key & wait 10 seconds, did this numerous times to no avail. Tried to move car once it hit 1 mile per car stalls. Upon reading manual says if doesn't unlock gas flow is shut off & stalls. Checked the VIN # against the recall list & my car not listed.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the service column lock warning indicator illuminated. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v060000 (steering); however, the contact experienced a failure related to the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure to determine if a dealer could repair the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. Updated 07/18/17*lj the consumer said the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. Updated 08/15/2017*js”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet corvette. When the contact shifted from park to drive, the steering wheel failed to unlock. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was repaired previously per NHTSA campaign number: 04v060000 (steering); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,500.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - 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 2002 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
NHTSA has 157 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. The most complained-about area is steering (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Corvette problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 43,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 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.