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1997 Chevrolet CorvetteProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 153 owner complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette, most often about the steering. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

41
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.4× the Corvette median · #13 of 40 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints1533 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage39kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 1, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette has problems

153 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering951
Engine and engine cooling150
Seats100
Electrical system90
Seat belts80
Fuel system, gasoline70
Service brakes, hydraulic62
Vehicle speed control40
Structure40
12 other systems202

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1997 Chevrolet Corvette recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 97V-104 · Jun 28, 1997 · 4,369 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ENERGY MANAGEMENT LOOP WILL NOT ABSORB ENOUGH ENERGY, AND INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT CAN OCCUR.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Suspension: rear

Recall 97V-044 · Mar 20, 1997 · 1,414 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL CAN RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Mileage at failure

When do steering problems start?

39kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 28 steering complaints. 89% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 30% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
6under 30k miles25under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Corvette year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Corvette median. How we score

'68'69'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FRONT LAP BELT MALFUNCTIONEA00009 · closed Apr 18, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-111
  2. STEERING COLUMN LOCKUPEA02031 · closed Mar 11, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-060
  3. STEERING COLUMN LOCKUPPE02054 · closed Nov 15, 2002
    No recall
  4. FRONT LAP BELT MALFUNCTIONPE99076 · closed Mar 16, 2000
    No recall
In owners' words

What Corvette owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY…
Complaint 10643827 · Oct 10, 2014 · 86,000 miles
THE CHEVROLET CORVETTE WAS STARTED IN THE COURTHOUSE PARKING LOT MOVING IN REVERSE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACE NARROWING AVOIDING PEDESTRIANS. THE VEHICLE COULD BE MOVED IN EITHER DIRECTION, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED AND SUBSEQUENTLY TRANSPORTED TO PRINCETON CHEVROLET…
Complaint 10594470 · May 28, 2014 · 100,020 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STEERING LOCK BOX WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CONTROL STEERING LOCK WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY FOR REPAIRS UNDER…
Complaint 10474064 · Sep 6, 2012 · 40,000 miles

Own a 1997 Corvette?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.