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1999 Chevrolet Corvette problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette is steering, typically around 42,220 miles. It has 3.6 times the complaints of a typical Corvette model year.

Typical year3.6x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
308
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
151
Worst area
Steering
Fuel economy
18-20mpg

The worst 1999 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.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette

Steering lock-up 59Stalling 19Seat belt 12ABS 10Engine failure 6

Recalls 2

Steering: column locking: anti-theft deviceReported February 9, 2004 · 126,624 vehicles affected
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: frontReported April 17, 2000 · 71,569 vehicles affected
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

See all 2 recalls for the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette

Defect investigations

Steering column lockupOpened November 15, 2002, closed March 11, 2004

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 lockupOpened July 1, 2002, closed November 15, 2002

See resume in repository.

PE02054

Front lap belt malfunctionOpened March 16, 2000, closed April 18, 2000

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 malfunctionOpened December 10, 1999, closed March 16, 2000

There is no summary currently available

PE99076

Steering column lock moduleOpened November 8, 1999, closed July 21, 2000

There is no summary currently available

PE99066

Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette 151

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 151 bulletins for the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette

1999 Chevrolet Corvette fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
5.7L 8‑cylRWD15-1623-2618-20

What 1999 Chevrolet Corvette owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 27, 2024 · Steering · 37,300 miles · MO

The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering) in 2019. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Service - Steering Column Lock" was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who informed the contact that he needed to pay for a diagnostic test to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would follow up with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 37,300.

Filed Aug 31, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · MA

Something is wrong where it will stall out when you start driving. Soon as I put the car in gear and start rolling forward it dies. And I’ve looked online and it’s quite common.

Filed Apr 12, 2022 · Brakes, Transmission · MO

Almost every C5 (1997-2004) Corvette is affected by a faulty electronic brake control module. When this module fails, the car illuminates the ABS and traction control light. And displays service abs and service traction control messages. This is a serious safety issue as when this happens, the abs brakes no longer work nor does the traction control. It blows my mind how this has never been recalled especially on a rear drive sports car.

Filed Sep 28, 2021 · Steering · NY

Still having a problem with the steering column locking on my 1999 Corvette after the first recall was performed. Chevrolet issued a second recall but I never received a notification. the dealer indicated both recalls were closed and I had to pay $600+ to fix the problem. I contacted GM Customer Care for assistance but pretty much got the same feedback that the recall was closed and that there was no financial assistance they would provide, 100% of the cost would be my responsibility. I don't understand how a safety recall can be closed until it is repaired? I'm not sure why consumers have to pay for a design issue that has the potential of causing an accident due to the potential of the steering column locking up while driving! I had no choice but to direct the dealer to perform the repairs so I can drive the car with confidents it won't lockup in the future. Not expecting anything to happen as it seems these types of reported issues fall in favor of businesses and no longer the consumers. Just wanted to post this complaint out of frustration!

Filed Jul 30, 2021 · Steering · IL

Steering column lock warning light on vehicle which was recalled in 2004 and GM says my vehicle was not involved with recall and will not repair vehicle.

Filed May 13, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · 51,000 miles · NY

My corvette as well as many others from 97-04 suffer from the active handling ABS/traction control system going bad. The part is known as the ebcm. When it goes bad (if cruise is engaged) the car will disable cruise control suddenly causing car to slow down. Also, when the system fails while moving it cause cause uneven brake feeling and you loose the ABS and traction control systems . Gm has discontinued the parts required to repair this and this issue has been major safety concerns for many years now affecting many 97-04 corvettes. Also a part of this system is the steeling wheel position sensor which is also discontinued. Swps can send wrong info to the other computers and the car will make erroneous 'corrections' that can lead to brakes being applied at any moment while driving.

Filed Jul 30, 2020 · Fuel system, Steering · 43,000 miles · NY

After parking and trying to restart the engine the message "steering column maintainance needed" the engine started but when I put it in gear the engine stopped. After trying to start the car again and again the same result. I checked the owners manuel and found no such item. After sitting for about 20 minutes the cat did start and I got home.

Filed Dec 8, 2019 · Fuel system · 130,000 miles · CA

Fuel leak from the passenger fuel tank. This is creating a fuel vapor smell inside the car and the garage where parked. This is a fire and safety hazard!

Filed Jun 10, 2019 · Fuel system · IA

Gas leaking on top of exhaust on drivers side of vehicle. Noticed drip on floor of garage when parked overnight. Parked car for the rest of the year. Have not driven since.

Filed Dec 5, 2018 · Steering · 113,000 miles · TX

The car was in the chevrolet dealers for rear brake lights the were not working. They called and said the steering wheel column locked and will have to be replaced originally the cost was $230 now it's over $1100

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Compare the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette

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Other model years

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Questions about the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette

Is the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?

Owners have filed 308 complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette, 3.6 times a typical Corvette model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette?

Steering, with 194 complaints, typically around 42,220 miles. Next is electrical (30).

How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette have?

2 recalls, covering steering and seat belts.

Was there a recall on the 1999 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 1999 Chevrolet Corvette get?

Official estimates for the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette range from 18 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.7L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 15-16 city and 23-26 highway.

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