1999 Chevrolet Corvette

308 federal complaints (389 component records) · 2 recall campaigns on file · 5 federal investigations · 146 service bulletins · 2 Canadian recalls
See all 45 model years of the Chevrolet Corvette →
Engine
5.7L 8-cyl
Fuel
Premium
Drive
RWD
EPA economy
15 city / 23 hwy
Federal complaints
308
Recall campaigns
2
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Steering
207
Electrical system
32
Seat belts
20
Brakes
19
Power train
14
Fuel system
14
Seats
13
Stability control
11
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 41 complaints01 years old: 53 complaints2 years old: 25 complaints3 years old: 11 complaints4 years old: 19 complaints5 years old: 18 complaints56 years old: 11 complaints7 years old: 5 complaints8 years old: 4 complaints9 years old: 11 complaints10 years old: 9 complaints1011 years old: 7 complaints12 years old: 7 complaints13 years old: 6 complaints14 years old: 9 complaints15 years old: 5 complaints1516 years old: 10 complaints17 years old: 8 complaints18 years old: 4 complaints19 years old: 7 complaints20+ years old: 9 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 279 of 308 complaints with a usable failure date.

Odometer when the failure occurred

0,000 - 20,000 miles: 14 complaints020,000 - 40,000 miles: 37 complaints40,000 - 60,000 miles: 42 complaints40k60,000 - 80,000 miles: 11 complaints80,000 - 100,000 miles: 14 complaints80k100,000 - 120,000 miles: 7 complaints120,000 - 140,000 miles: 5 complaints120k140,000 - 160,000 miles: 1 complaints160,000 - 180,000 miles: 0 complaints160k180,000 - 200,000 miles: 1 complaints200,000+ miles: 0 complaints200k+
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 132 of 308 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Steering

207 complaint records1 fire report8 crash reports
"DIC MESSAGE SAID "SERVICE COLUMN LOCK" NEVER LOCKED UP ON ME BUT HAD TO REPLACE AN ACTUATOR. WHY ISN'T THIS A RECALL?*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse steering parts in the directory →

Electrical system

32 complaint records3 crash reports
"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...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →

Seat belts

20 complaint records
"CHEVY AT THE 1-800-222-1020 DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT RECALL #00034 "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE" NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse seat belts parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
EA02031
opened Nov 2002
closed Mar 2004SteeringSTEERING COLUMN LOCKUP - led to recall 04V060000
IN 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) ISSUED CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 1044 AND 1044A TO ADDRESS A CONDITION WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FAIL TO UNLOCK DURING THE INITIAL KEY-IN AND START-UP IN CERTAIN MY 1998-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI CONTINUED TO...
PE02054
opened Jul 2002
closed Nov 2002SteeringSTEERING COLUMN LOCKUP
SEE RESUME IN REPOSITORY.
EA00009
opened Mar 2000
closed Apr 2000Seat BeltsFRONT LAP BELT MALFUNCTION - led to recall 00V111000
ODI OPENED THIS EA00-009 ON MARCH 16, 2000, TO CONTINUE ANALYSES BEGUN UNDER PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE99-076.THE ALLEGED DEFECT: LAP BELT WEBBING IN BOTH SEATING POSITIONS TENDS TO FOLD OVER WHILE ENTERING THE RETRACTOR OPENING.THESE FOLDS FREQUENTLY IMPEDE...
PE99076
opened Dec 1999
closed Mar 2000Seat BeltsFRONT LAP BELT MALFUNCTION
There is no summary currently available
PE99066
opened Nov 1999
closed Jul 2000SteeringSTEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE
There is no summary currently available

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
04V060000SteeringON 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.Normally free
00V111000Seat BeltsVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LAP BELT WEBBING CAN TWIST ALLOWING THE WEBBING TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR.Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2004052
2004-02-09
Steering5,132On certain vehicles equipped with Electronic Column Lock systems (ECL), when the ignition switch is turned to "Lock", the ECL prevents turning of the steering system. When the vehicle is started, the ECL unlocks the steering system.
2000107
2000-04-17
Seats And Restraints2,228Certain vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the lap belt webbing may twist, allowing the webbing to become jammed in the retractor. When the belt webbing becomes jammed in the retractor, the belt may be unuseable.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
PIC6522
Oct 2023
SteeringThis Preliminary Information communicates diagnostic information to dealership techs to assist them in diagnosing either a "Service Column Lock" or a "Pull Key, Wait 10 Seconds" message on the DIC.
17-NA-073
Feb 2023
EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
PIP4723F
Jan 2022
Fuel SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving...
PIP4723D
Jan 2020
Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving...
19NA273
Dec 2019
Electrical SystemThis informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
Show 55 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
PIC4696E
Nov 2019
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
17NA073
Sep 2019
EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
PIC4696D
Sep 2019
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
17NA073
Feb 2019
EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
PIC4696C
May 2018
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
PIP4723C
Sep 2017
Fuel SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving...
17-NA-073
Mar 2017
EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.
PIP4723B
Feb 2017
Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving...
16NA260
Aug 2016
EquipmentTHIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPROGRAM THE MEDIA DISC PLAYER WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATIONS TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NOT OPERATING AS INTENDED IN COLDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AREAS DUE TO CALIBRATION CONCERNS.
PIC4696B
Dec 2015
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
PIP5346
Nov 2015
Power TrainThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about cooler line fittings that come with the 4T65E General Motors remanufactured transmission may not be the same as Original equipment manufacturer quick connect verses inverted flare.
PIC4696A
Oct 2015
EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code.
PIP4404F
Oct 2015
EngineThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician vehicles with a slight rough idle. Technician should compare the concern with a like vehicle.
Recalls
Jun 2014
EquipmentVehicle Recalls
05-06-04-035D
May 2014
Fuel SystemThis informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle.
99-08-51-007F
Feb 2014
WheelsRefinishing Aluminum Wheels This bulletin updates General Motor's position on refinishing aluminum wheels. GM does not endorse any repairs that involve welding, bending, straightening o re-machining.
PI0281D
Jan 2014
StructureUnderbody Component Corrosion The following information may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers. Some customers may comment that one or more of their vehicle's underbody components are showing some form of corrosion.
PIC5913
Sep 2013
Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint lamp, Service Vehicle Soon lamp on and/or radio locked, possibly after module replacement.
130089009
Sep 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingExpanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
PIP4404E
Aug 2013
SteeringThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician vehicles with a slight rough idle. Technician should compare the concern with a like vehicle.
PIC5335A
Dec 2012
SuspensionThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have front and or rear composite springs cracked and/or broken. Technician should use only use J33432-A & J42188 are being used during installation.
PIC-5335-A
Dec 2012
SuspensionCADILLAC/CHEVROLET: FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE FRONT AND/OR REAR, COMPOSITE SPRINGS WOULD CRACK AND/OR BECOME BROKEN. MODELS 2004-2009 XLR; 1997-2013 CORVETTE. *PE
PIC3379D
Nov 2012
Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have multiple Head Up Display issues. An issue with the Head Up Display image may not appear clear can be caused by a non-original equipment manufacturer windshield installed.
PIC-5391
Nov 2010
Traction Control SystemGM: THE DIAGNOSIS AND PROCEDURE FOR WHEN THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON. *RM
PIC-5347A
Oct 2010
Fuel SystemGM: THE FUEL GAUGE MAY SHOW EMPTY WHEN THERE IS STILL GAS IN THE TANK. VEHICLES MAY ALSO RUN OUT OF GAS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE AT HALF-FULL. *RM
PIC-5368
Sep 2010
Service BrakesCHEVROLET: ABS/TCS LIGHT ON AND DTCS C1225/C0035 AND/OR C1226/C0040 DUE TO AFTERMARKET BRAIDED STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES. *PE
3144
Jun 2009
TiresSLIGHT PULL LEFT OR RIGHT, TIRE WANDER. *TC UPDATED 6/4/10. *PE
3559
Sep 2008
Power TrainREAR AXLE CHATTER SHUDDER ON TURNS. *SC UPDATED. *KB UPDATED 9/30/08. *PE
05081
Feb 2006
SteeringSPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT-ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM. THE COLUMN LOCK MAY FAIL TO UNLOCK THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. *TT
050310019
Dec 2005
SuspensionINFORMATION ON RUN FLAT, ZERO PRESSURE OR EXTENDED MOBILITY TIRES (EMT) AND UNIQUE SERVICING TECHNIQUES. *TT
010730038B
Oct 2005
Power TrainTHE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED, NO 3RD AND 4TH GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY, THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL OR A LOSS OF DRIVE OCCURS. *TT
020730024A
Aug 2005
Power TrainDIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT
050235004
Jul 2005
SteeringREVISED STEERING COLUMN TURN SIGNAL CANCEL CAM AND STEERING SHAFT UPPER BEARING SPRING REPLACEMENT (MANUAL AND TELESCOPING) PROCEDURE. *TT
050310004
Apr 2005
TiresTIRE PRESSURE MONITORING (TPM) SYSTEM - TIRE MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING. *TT
050308004
Apr 2005
SuspensionREVISED FRONT AND REAR UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT STUD NUT TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS. *TT
030844005B
Jan 2005
VisibilityPOOR RADIO RECEPTION OR RADIO STATIC/ INCREASED INTERFERENCE WITH REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER ON OR SOME REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER GRIDS MAY BE INOPERATIVE. *TT
000730022B
Dec 2004
Power TrainA NO REVERSE, NO SECOND GEAR, OR NO FOURTH GEAR CONDITION. *TT UPDATED *EH
04006
Nov 2004
SteeringGMP04-057 - 04006 ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM. *TT THIS IS A PART 1 OF A 2 PART MESSAGE. *TT
04006A
Nov 2004
SteeringELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM. THIS BULLETIN CANCELS AND REPLACES BULLETIN 04006A, ISSUED JULY 2004. *TT
040731005
Aug 2004
Power TrainCLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE WEAR INDICATOR ADJUSTMENT. *TT
040851003
Jul 2004
StructureREAR HATCH SURFACE BLISTERING. *EH
040605007
Jun 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEXHAUST INTERMEDIATE PIPE AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE. *TT
040604031
Apr 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingVEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO FILL WITH FUEL OR FILLING STATION PUMP SHUTS OFF BEFORE TANK IS FULL. *EH
040850005
Mar 2004
SeatsSEAT BACK TWISTING. *EH
02122004
Feb 2004
SteeringA CONDITION IN WHICH THE VEHICLE CAN OPERATE WHEN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN FAILS TO UNLOCK. *TT
00110A
Jan 2004
Fuel SystemFUEL GAUGE/PUMP DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. SIT BULLETIN 1411305. *TT
01489
Jan 2004
Fuel SystemERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P1431. SIT BULLETIN 1401034. *TT
01657
Jan 2004
Service BrakesCLARIFICATION OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)-RELATED OPTION CODES. SIT BULLETIN 1451252. *TT
02040
Jan 2004
StructureSUPPLEMENT TO 02-08-111-001 CONVERTIBLE TOP 5TH BOW RUBS STOWAGE LID.*MR
01660
Jan 2004
StructureDECK/TRUNK LID DOES NOT POP UP ENOUGH WHEN RELEASE BUTTON IS USED. *TT
01599
Jan 2004
Power Train4L60E, 4L65E FORWARD AND LOW REVERSE WAVED STEEL CLUTCH PLATE APPEARANCE CHANGE. *TT
01119A
Jan 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingROLL-OUT FOR THE GEN III SMALL BLOCK ENGINES WITH IRIDIUM SPARK PLUGS. ALSO INCLUDES 2003/2004 M/L VANS. *TT
3027
Jan 2004
Power TrainHARD CLUTCH PEDAL AND/OR HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FAILURE AFTER SERVICING THE PRESSURE PLATE. *TT
3020
Jan 2004
Power Train6SP MANUAL TRANSMISSION STUCK IN FOURTH GEAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF FOURTH. *TT
3032
Jan 2004
EquipmentLOW OIL, LOW FUEL, OR TEMPERATURE INDICATOR DISPLAYED ON THE HEADS UP DISPLAY. 1997 - 2005 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. *TT

Showing 60 of 146 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Drive one straight highway stretch and one slow parking lot.Wander or a shimmy over bumps at speed, and heavy or dropped assist at low speed, are the two faces of this vehicle's steering cluster. A clunk on turn-in points at the linkage.
  2. Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
  3. Pull and release every belt.A belt that retracts slowly or a buckle that will not latch matches this vehicle's seat-belt cluster.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 2 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Chevrolet Corvette →