1998 Chevrolet Corvette problems
Owners have filed 466 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 47.6% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of electrical system at 6.9%.
Complaints466
Crashes16
Fires1
Injuries7
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Steering 47.6% · 222
Electrical system 6.9% · 32
Seats 6.0% · 28
Seat belts 4.7% · 22
Engine and engine cooling 4.3% · 20
Service brakes, hydraulic 4.1% · 19
Power train 3.9% · 18
Fuel system, gasoline 2.6% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 16 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire and 7 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 16 model years of the Chevrolet Corvette in this data, 1998 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2005 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 11 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 49,000 miles.
In owners' own words
When turning the steering wheel towards the left, it locked, which caused the consumer to drift off the road. The consumer shut the vehicle off, restarted the vehicle and the steering wheel unlocked. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership to be inspected. *Ak the consumer contacted the dealership on several occasions and was told there was a recall on Corvette's, however his vehicle was not included. Steering · reported at 64,325 miles
1998 Chevrolet Corvette customer states that the steering column suddenly locked up and was unable to steer the vehicle**cc the consumer was told the problem he experienced was a recall issue. The problem was corrected free of charge, however the consumer is requesting reimbursement for the towing charges. The claim for reimbursement was denied because the consumer didn't have the vehicle towed to a gm dealer. Steering
The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. While driving approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnostic testing and the harness kit was replaced. The vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000. Steering · reported at 36,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…