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.
The worst 1997 Chevrolet Corvette problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Steering95
- Engine16
- Fuel system12
- Seats11
- Electrical9
- Seat belts8
- Brakes7
- Acceleration4
- Body4
- Transmission3
- Visibility3
- Driver assistance1
- Lights1
- Locks1
- Suspension1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette
Steering lock-up 23Stalling 8Check engine light 5Fuel leak 5
Recalls 5
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 04V060000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install inserts to the belt web guide of each lap belt retractor.
Recall number 00V111000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: anchorage
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the driver and passenger side seat belt retractor assemblies.
Recall number 97V104000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the left and right hand fuel tank assemblies (including fuel sending unit and pump).
Recall number 97V105000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the left and right-hand rear suspension tie rod links.
Recall number 97V044000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette
Defect investigations
Steering column lockup
In 2001, general motors (gm) issued customer service campaigns 1044 and 1044a to address a condition where the steering column would fail to unlock during the initial key-in and start-up in certain my 1998-2000 corvette vehicles.however, odi continued to receive complaints concerning steering column lockup on corvette vehicles.as a result, pe02-054 was opened and later upgraded to ea02-031 for my 1997-2001 subject vehicles.odi's analysis identified concerns with post-repair failures in vehicles serviced through the campaigns, as well as, failures in my 1997-2003 subject vehicles not included in the campaigns.(note: the manufacturer failure data above is limited to my 1997-2003 vehicles through 10/17/2003.)on february 6, 2004, gm notified the federal safety agency of a safety defect in my 1997-2004 corvette vehcles equipped with manual transmissions and my 1997-2000 corvette vehicles with automatic transmissions.the notification stated that if the voltage at the powertrain control module (PCM), which was designed to shut down the fuel supply when the steering column failed to unlock and the customer tried to drive the vehicle, is low or interrupted, the fuel shut off may not occur.as a result, the customer could drive the vehicle while the steering column was locked causing the driver to lose steering control and possibly crash without warning.gm will instruct owners to bring their vehicles to a dealer to have the PCM reprogrammed for manual transmission vehicles and the electric column lock disabled for automatic transmission vehicles.odi will monitor the effectiveness of the remedy in the manual transmission vehicles and take further action if warranted.
EA02031
Steering column lockup
See resume in repository.
PE02054
Front lap belt malfunction
Odi opened this ea00-009 on march 16, 2000, to continue analyses begun under preliminary evaluation pe99-076.the alleged defect: lap belt webbing in both seating positions tends to fold over while entering the retractor opening.these folds frequently impede proper webbing retraction.if the retractor has been inadvertently toggled into automatic lock retractor (alr) mode by being extended to its full length, it may fail to reset itself to the normal emergency lock retractor (elr) mode.such a condition has been shown to render the active restraint unusable.conclusion: gm will remedy the alleged defect in 71,569 subject vehicles built prior to august 1999 by adding webbing guide inserts to the lap retractor openings of both seating positions to prevent the admission of folded webbing onto the retractor spool.this engineering analysis has been closed.
EA00009
Front lap belt malfunction
There is no summary currently available
PE99076
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette 134
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This Preliminary Information communicates diagnostic information to dealership techs to assist them in...
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios...
- Vehicle Recalls
- This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85...
1997 Chevrolet Corvette fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L 8‑cyl | RWD | 16 | 24-25 | 19 |
What 1997 Chevrolet Corvette owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 serviced according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v060000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
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 failure mileage was 133,000.
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 [formerly known as superior chevrolet] in lawrenceville, new jersey for repair. During previous service, the vehicle was inspected for recalls including the steering defect with the manager stating that all recalls were complete. The june 26, 2013 dealer steering repair invoice makes no mention of the service recall, the manager explaining the june 25, 2013 incident was unrelated to the steering defect and safety recall. The dealership has refused to acknowledge or respond to our inquiries referencing the "electronic column lock system" product safety recall [04006c] which states;" general motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 1997-2004 model year chevrolet corvette vehicles.when the vehicle is started, it unlocks the steering. Two conditions can prevent steering while the vehicle is moving: ... If one of these conditions occurs, a crash could occur without warning." [pg 1 recall bulletin no.: 04006c] the recall specifically warns dealers; "whenever a vehicle subject to a recall ... Is in your dealership for service ... You must take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before ... Releasing the vehicle." [pg 28 recall no.: 04006c] we request the federal safety agency investigate the failure of general motors to promptly alert owners with the locking steering defect, why the vehicle was released by the dealer without verifying the recall steering status, and whether the repair performed at princeton chevrolet on june 26, 2013 was the repair procedure outlined in gm service bulletin no. 04006c.
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 recall the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v060000 (steering:column locking:anti-theft device). The failure recurred. The dealer was contacted who explained that the manufacturer was only required to pay for recall repairs once. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 268,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet corvette c5. The contact was traveling 55 MPH when the vehicle decelerated independently and failed to accelerate over 30 MPH. The service engine warning light also illuminated intermittently. The failure was resolved temporarily when the engine was restarted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, but the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 48,000.
There appear to be many verified complaints about the seats moving under acceleration and/or braking in the 1997-2004 corvettes. Why haven't you required chevrolet to fix this?
There is a defect in the seat tracks of the 1997 corvette that cause the seat to lurch forward about 1 inch under firm braking. This sudden change in the seat position can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. This problem is reported to exist in all corvettes manufactured from 1997 through 2004. Chevrolet and gm have long been aware of this problem but will not provide a repair unless the customer pays over $500 for the replacement of the seat track. These vehicles should be recalled and chevrolet should be ordered to correct this serious safety defect.
The gas gauge in the 1997 corvette, as well as all other c5 corvettes built from 1997 through 2004, will suddenly fall to empty with no warning, even though there is fuel remaining. Driving on highways without the ability to quickly stop for fuel can cause a serious problem since the driver will not know if they are about to run out of fuel without warning. Chevrolet and gm have known about this problem for many, many years and refuse to fix it without expensive repairs that could cost as much as $1800 with no assurance that the problem will be corrected. I believe this entire range of vehicles should be recalled to correct this serious safety defect.
Compare the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette
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Other model years
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Questions about the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
Owners have filed 153 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette, 1.8 times a typical Corvette model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette?
Steering, with 95 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles. Next is engine (16).
How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette have?
5 recalls, covering steering, seat belts and fuel system, gasoline.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V060000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Corvette have bad steering?
The Chevrolet Corvette model years with the most steering complaints are 1998 (215 complaints), 1999 (194 complaints) and 2000 (169 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette get?
Official estimates for the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.7L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 16 city and 24-25 highway.
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