2001 Chevrolet Corvette

Above average

Owners filed 203 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
42,000 milesMedian miles at failure

131 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,00050,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering34
000
Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device28
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline14
000
Fuel System, Gasoline12
000
Wheels11
100
Electrical System10
000
Fuel/Propulsion System9
000
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar7
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip7
000
Steering › Column5
101

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. 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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device04V060000
Filed Feb 9, 2004126,624 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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 .

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Jun 17, 2022GA

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!!!

Steering
Filed Feb 14, 2022TX

Chevy / GM recalled over 100,000 Corvettes built between 1997 and 2004 for a steering column lock issue, that renders the car un drivable. The fuel supply cuts off at 2 miles per hour. Many of the dealers did a faulty job fixing the problem, causing it to recur. My 2001 Corvette (with less than 17,000 miles) repeatedly experiences this problem. GM says they will not warrant this known defective design, due to the recall expiring. According to an internet search on “Corvette Steering Column Lock”, there no telling how many unhappy Corvette owners this has created. Need your help getting this $50,000 car back on the road.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 30, 2021AZ

We purchased the car on 12/17/21. I went to Costco on 12/18/21 to get gas. I had a preset amount of $50 to put into the car. When I got to $50 I shut the pump off myself, the tank was not full enough for it to shut off automatically. As I look down on the ground I saw a fluid running out from underneath the car and rolling along the ground. I touched it with my finger and discovered it was gasoline. I put the nozzle back into the holder and I checked underneath the car and saw it was dripping from the drivers side in the area just behind the drivers door. I pulled the car over to the side to inspect it further. By now the gas had stopped dripping. Since the exhaust pipe is right next to the fuel tank I was afraid of a fire or explosion. Had some fuel vapors but they dissipated shortly after. My gas gauge was registering full at this time. Since then I have not had any gasoline leaks and or vapors present. I have not put any more gas in the car since then. (I contacted the previous owner and he said in an email response, if you overfill there is a vent hole that gas will leak out of at the top of the filler neck. It happened once when I put like 20 gallons in it.) I did some research and found that there is a problem with the Corvette gas tanks and or the crossover tube. I think this is a dangerous situation, thinking that if that gas ignited, the car and my passenger could have caught fire and possibly ignited the Costco gas station with an explosion. (This car will be going

Steering
Filed Oct 22, 2021SC

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.

Steering
Filed Dec 28, 20207,000 milesDE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED WITH THE SERVICE STEERING COLUMN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO I.G. BURTON LEWES AUTOMALL (17861 COASTAL HWY, LEWES, DE 19958) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000.

Steering
Filed Jul 25, 202088,000 milesSC

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!!!

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 10, 20206,996 milesCO

I HAVE OWNED THIS 2001 CORVETTE SINCE IT WAS NEW IT HAS LESS THAN 7000 MILES ON IT.ON FRIDAY MAY 8TH 2020 I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER CENTURY CHEVROLET IN BROOMFIELD COLORADO.THE SERVICE COLUMN LOCK IS ON AT THE DASH AND I CANNOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IF YOU TRY TO DRIVE IT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL.I HAD RECALL 04006 PERFORMED ON THE CAR ON 10/25/2004 WITH 1912 MILES ON IT AND THIS WAS A REPROGRAMMING OF THE PCM.I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THERE HAS BEEN 2-3 UPDATES FOR THIS CONDITION AND THERE IS A RECALL 04006C AND SPECIAL POLICY #05081 FOR A NEW WIRING HARNESS TO BE INSTALLED TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION.I WAS NEVER CONTACTED BY GM ABOUT THIS AND FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT THEY KNOW ABOUT! THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED OUT OF MY GARAGE /DRIVEWAY WE HAD TO PUSH IT OUT OF THE GARAGE ONTO A TOW TRUCK AND IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING TO HERE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO. I DON'T THINK THEY ARE GOING TO OFFER ANY HELP NOR DID THEY WANT TO PICKUP THE TOW CHARGES AND ADD IT TO THE BILL. REGARDLESS I HAVE TO FIX THE VEHICLE AS IT DOES ME NO GOOD THE WAY IT IS.WITH THIS SAID THE ORIGINAL FIX OF THE RECALL DID NOT FIX THE VEHICLE AND THE NOW KNOWN FIX SHOULD BE DONE AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER/CUSTOMER.THIS VEHICLE IS IN MINT CONDITION AND HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY WAY AND TAKEN CARE OF LIKE NEW SINCE OWNED. I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU BECAUSE THE RIGHT THING NEEDS TO HAPPEN AND GM SHOULD ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE ACTIONS AND KNOWINGLY THAT THERE IS A DEF

Wheels
Filed Nov 29, 2019192,141 milesFL

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.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 10, 201961,000 milesGA

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 29, 201935,000 milesNV

WHEN I FILL UP MY GAS TANK THERE ARE STRONG GAS FUMES IN THE GARAGE. THE FUMES ARE NOT THERE WHEN THE TANK IS 3/4 FULL OR LESS. THIS IS A CONTINUING ISSUE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 10, 201959,000 milesFL

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.

Steering
Filed Aug 17, 201840,000 milesMA

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.

Steering
Filed Aug 3, 201842,996 milesCT

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 17, 201893,000 milesOH

AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK. PARKED VEHICLE IN GARAGE AND NOTICED A FUEL LEAK ON PASSENGER SIDE UNDERNEATH FUEL TANK.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Feb 18, 2018102,000 milesTN

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

Steering
Filed Nov 28, 201765,000 milesFL

SERVICE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED

Steering
Filed Sep 20, 201735,000 milesMA

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK DOES NOT RELEASE. I BELIEVE THIS WAS ALREADY A RECALL ISSUE

Engine
Filed Jun 2, 2017134,000 milesCA

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.

Steering
Filed May 17, 201750,000 milesIL

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY ROAD AND STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. AFTER MOVING ABOUT 10' THE CAR STALLED AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR FLASHED "PULL KEY AND WAIT 10 SECONDS" THEN "SERVICE STEERING COLUMN LOCK". THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BLOCKING TRAFFIC AND CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME AND IT WORKED FOR A FEW DAYS AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, THE CAR STALLED REPEATEDLY FROM A DEAD STOP UPON MOVING ABOUT 10' AND THEN AFTER SEVERAL RESTARTS I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME AND HAD IT TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT GM HAD PERFORMED RECALLS 04006B AND NO. 04006C ON THIS VEHICLE SEVERAL YEARS AGO TO ADDRESS THE COLUMN LOCK ISSUE AND THAT RECALL INCLUDED REPROGRAMMING THE PCM TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL AT 2MPH - THIS VEHICLE WILL RUN INDEFINITELY SO LONG AS IT ISN'T PUT IN GEAR AND DRIVEN OVER 2MPH. THE CHEVROLET DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS SAFETY ISSUE ISN'T THEIR CONCERN AND THAT GM EXPECTS IT'S CUSTOMERS TO COVER THE COST - I PHONED GM'S RECALL DEPARTMENT AND TOLD THEM THE SAFETY ISSUE IS RECURRING AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THEY EXPECT THEIR CUSTOMERS TO COVER THE COST OF THIS SAFETY DEFECT. I ALSO TOLD GM THAT I INTENDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA AND BBB IF THEY DIDN'T PROPERLY ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY ENCOURAGED ME TO FILE THOSE COMPLAINTS. BUYER BEWARE

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 7, 201772,000 milesGA

SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK,CAN NOT BUY A REPLACEMENT.MFG DOES NOT MAKE THESE ANYMORE WHY?THEY SHOULD MAKE REPLACEMENT PARTS ,THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.YOU CANNOT DRIVE CAR WITHOUT SEATBELT!

20 of 203 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202510310Routine
202421210Routine
202325131Fatalities reported
202220100Routine
202112200Routine
202034400Routine
2019147100Routine
201851100Routine
2017256400Above average
2016103210Routine
201564500Routine
201461511Fatalities reported
201382000Routine
201256100Routine
201185110Routine
201084000Routine
2009151010Routine
2008540020Above average
2007341240Above average
2006365520Above average
2005532660Above average
2004217410Above average
200385311Fatalities reported
2002157300Routine
2001 — this page203330Above average
2000277400Above average
1999308431Fatalities reported
1998399410Above average
1997153700Routine
199644140Routine
199532120Routine
199429110Routine
199322200Routine
19927210Routine
199124310Routine
199034400Routine

Compare every Corvette year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.