1999 Chevrolet Corvette
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 3 |
| 1981 | 6 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1984 | 14 |
| 1985 | 16 |
| 1986 | 15 |
| 1987 | 21 |
| 1988 | 16 |
| 1989 | 15 |
| 1990 | 34 |
| 1991 | 24 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1993 | 22 |
| 1994 | 29 |
| 1995 | 32 |
| 1996 | 44 |
| 1997 | 153 |
| 1998 | 399 |
| 1999 | 308 |
| 2000 | 277 |
| 2001 | 203 |
| 2002 | 157 |
| 2003 | 84 |
| 2004 | 217 |
| 2005 | 531 |
| 2006 | 365 |
| 2007 | 340 |
| 2008 | 539 |
| 2009 | 151 |
| 2010 | 84 |
| 2011 | 84 |
| 2012 | 56 |
| 2013 | 82 |
| 2014 | 61 |
| 2015 | 64 |
| 2016 | 103 |
| 2017 | 255 |
| 2018 | 51 |
| 2019 | 147 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 10 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
23% of complaints: steering — 72 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCKED UP, CAUSING A COLLISION WHICH RESULTED IN INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERALTIMES FOR STEERING LOCKING UP PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. ALSO, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING LOCK ACTUATOR.
NHTSA ODI report, 19991206
21% of complaints: steering — 66 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
WHILE REVERSING STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEVICE FAILED, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FAILED PART, BUT THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED WHILE TURNING AT 10 MPH.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030820
MY SON WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND HE CROSSED THE MEDIAN AND WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR AND WAS KILLED, HIS PASSENGER WAS INJURED CRITICALLY AND REMEMBERS THAT AN INSTANT BEFORE THE CRASH AND THE CROSSING OF THE...
NHTSA ODI report, 20030624
17% of complaints: steering — 53 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering) in 2019.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240227
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE COLUMN LOCK INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE "PULL KEY TEN SECONDS" MESSAGE DISPLAYED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180125
STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR IS BAD. WHEN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER INITIALLY DISPLAYS THE WARNING, "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING" & "SERVICE CAR SOON", THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ENGAGES THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE AS THE COMPUTER BELIEVES THE CAR IS SLIDING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120815
5% of complaints: electrical system — 16 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE COLUMN LOCK INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE "PULL KEY TEN SECONDS" MESSAGE DISPLAYED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180125
3% of complaints: steering — 10 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE
FRONT LAP BELT MALFUNCTION
FRONT LAP BELT MALFUNCTION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LAP BELT WEBBING CAN TWIST ALLOWING THE WEBBING TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL INSERTS TO THE BELT WEB GUIDE OF EACH LAP BELT RETRACTOR.
Campaign 00V111000 — check if this car was fixed
STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP
STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP
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 VEH
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 WIL
Campaign 04V060000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1999 Chevrolet Corvette — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (72 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (66 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (53 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 00V111000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V060000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette?
The most-reported component is steering: steering wheel/handle bar, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.