1997 Chevrolet Corvette Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Corvette years
- More complaints than other years 12th of 31 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette. That ranks 12th out of 31 Corvette model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (95 complaints, 62%), typically at around 40,500 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes, 1 injury. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.
.jpg){kind=link}
- 153owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 4NHTSA investigations
- 2complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 Chevrolet Corvette problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering problems | 95 | 62% | 40,500 | “steering column” (47%) | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 15 | 10% | 30,069 | — | — |
| Seats | 10 | 7% | 36,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 9 | 6% | 47,400 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 | 5% | 41,106 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 4% | 62,782 | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 3% | 23,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 3% | 41,853 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 3% | 48,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 2% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 1% | 23,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 1% | 62,921 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 1% | 86,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 1% | 89,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 Chevrolet Corvette recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Steering:column locking:anti-theft device
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts:front
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lap belt webbing can twist allowing the webbing to become jammed in the retractor.
Risk: When the belt webbing becomes jammed in the retractor, the seat belt may be unusable.
Fix: Dealers will install inserts to the belt web guide of each lap belt retractor.
Seat belts:front:anchorage
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The seat belts in these vehicles incorporate an energy management loop. This loop is inadequate to absorb the necessary forces that can be exerted on it. Therefore, the vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver and passenger side seat belt retractor assemblies.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles have a torn fuel tank sending unit/pump seal. This can cause fuel odor and/or leakage at the attachment location.
Risk: Fuel leakage from a torn seal can result in a fire if an ignition source is present.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right hand fuel tank assemblies (including fuel sending unit and pump).
Suspension:rear
Problem: The rear suspension tie rod assembly can fracture.
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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right-hand rear suspension tie rod links.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Steering column lockup (EA02031) — opened Nov 15, 2002, closed Mar 11, 2004, led to recall 04V060000.
- Steering column lockup (PE02054) — opened Jul 1, 2002, closed Nov 15, 2002.
- Front lap belt malfunction (EA00009) — opened Mar 16, 2000, closed Apr 18, 2000, led to recall 00V111000.
- Front lap belt malfunction (PE99076) — opened Dec 10, 1999, closed Mar 16, 2000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Driver seat electric fastening mounting wear is too defective and has to be replaces. It moves in and out , seat is moving back and forth in all positions. Gm refuses to recall their problem.
Filled gas tank..next day gas leaking with heavy gas fumes..moved car out of garage and parked in the street..
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…
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet corvette. The contact smelled a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the gaskets around the fuel pump were loose. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure…
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…
Other Chevrolet Corvette years
← 1996 Corvette · 1998 Corvette →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Corvette | 11 | 3 |
| 2024 Corvette | 21 | 2 |
| 2023 Corvette | 26 | 1 |
| 2022 Corvette | 21 | 1 |
| 2021 Corvette | 13 | 2 |
| 2020 Corvette | 34 | 4 |
| 2019 Corvette | 148 | 1 |
| 2018 Corvette | 51 | 1 |
| 2017 Corvette | 256 | 4 |
| 2016 Corvette | 104 | 2 |
| 2015 Corvette | 65 | 5 |
| 2014 Corvette | 63 | 5 |
| 2013 Corvette | 82 | 0 |
| 2012 Corvette | 56 | 1 |
| 2011 Corvette | 85 | 1 |
| 2010 Corvette | 84 | 0 |
| 2009 Corvette | 151 | 0 |
| 2008 Corvette | 541 | 0 |
| 2007 Corvette | 341 | 2 |
| 2006 Corvette | 365 | 5 |
| 2005 Corvette | 532 | 6 |
| 2004 Corvette | 217 | 2 |
| 2003 Corvette | 85 | 1 |
| 2002 Corvette | 157 | 1 |
| 2001 Corvette | 205 | 1 |
| 2000 Corvette | 278 | 2 |
| 1999 Corvette | 308 | 2 |
| 1998 Corvette | 399 | 2 |
| 1997 | 153 | 5 |
| 1996 Corvette | 44 | 0 |
| 1995 Corvette | 32 | 0 |
See all Chevrolet Corvette problems by year, every Chevrolet model, or the Chevrolet VIN decoder.
Similar Chevrolet models
Embed this 1997 Chevrolet Corvette badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette?
Owners most often report steering, engine and engine cooling, seats problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 95 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Corvette model years, the 1997 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.