VehicleVerdict

1998 Chevrolet Corvette problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 466 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 17.3 times the median Corvette year — the 1998 model ranks #3 of 62 Corvette years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: steering issues account for 48% of all reports (222 of 466), far ahead of electrical system at 45.

466

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

5

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Corvette years?

Corvette NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted716 complaints1960: 1 complaints1964: 1 complaints1965: 0 complaints1966: 1 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 6 complaints1976: 1 complaints1977: 2 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 13 complaints1980: 3 complaints1981: 11 complaints1982: 0 complaints1984: 16 complaints1985: 16 complaints1986: 16 complaints1987: 25 complaints1988: 26 complaints1989: 15 complaints1990: 41 complaints1991: 28 complaints1992: 8 complaints1993: 26 complaints1994: 38 complaints1995: 48 complaints1996: 63 complaints1997: 196 complaints1998: 466 complaints1999: 389 complaints2000: 359 complaints2001: 281 complaints2002: 191 complaints2003: 126 complaints2004: 257 complaints2005: 716 complaints2006: 441 complaints2007: 434 complaints2008: 624 complaints2009: 178 complaints2010: 90 complaints2011: 98 complaints2012: 68 complaints2013: 94 complaints2014: 79 complaints2015: 72 complaints2016: 114 complaints2017: 272 complaints2018: 53 complaints2019: 151 complaints2020: 42 complaints2021: 14 complaints2022: 23 complaints2023: 32 complaints2024: 31 complaints2025: 12 complaints
Corvette NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Corvette years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet Corvette problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering22248%
Electrical System4510%
Brakes409%
Seats286%
Engine245%
Seat Belts225%
Transmission184%
Fuel System184%
Speed Control92%
Visibility & Wipers82%
Tires & Wheels82%
Suspension72%
Other61%
Body & Structure31%
Lighting31%
Airbags31%
Driver Assistance10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

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.

Consequence

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

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.

Consequence

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.

04V060000SteeringFebruary 9, 2004 · 126,624 units

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 .

Consequence

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.

00V111000Seat BeltsApril 17, 2000 · 71,569 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LAP BELT WEBBING CAN TWIST ALLOWING THE WEBBING TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LISTED VEHICLE AND LOOSE HARDWARE, ESPECIALLY NUTS OR FASTENERS IN STEERING OR CONTROL AREAS THAT COME LOOSE OR OFF DURING NORMAL DRIVING CREATING CRASH HAZARDS. I AM CONCERNED. NEED HELP. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · crash

“CONSUMER STATED ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM ENGAGED PREMATURELY WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE MADE A SEVERE RIGHT TURN AND WENT INTO A DITCH. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 29, 2003 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AT APPROX. 55 MPH THE ACTIVE HANDLING CAME ON AND JERKED THE CAR HARD TO THE RIGHT. IT WENT IN THE DITCH BUT HIT NOTHING. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE COMPUTER DISPLAY IT SAID "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING".*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 30, 2003 · crash

“LOOSE SEAT TRACK D/S, THE SEAT WILL MOVE ABOUT 1" DURING ACCELERATION AND BRAKING. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THIS SEAT WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY DURING IMPACT. THIS PROBLEM IS IN THE C5 MODELS OF THE CHEVY CORVETTES. THERE IS EVEN A GARAGE MECHANIC FIX FOR IT ON CORVETTE WEB SITES WERE THEY TAKE THE SEAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · June 21, 2004

“WHILE DRIVING DOWN ON INTERSTATE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE INFORMATION WARNING SYSTEM DISPLAYED A MESSAGE THAT READ ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING. ATER DISPLAY MESSAGE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN ENGINE LOST POWER. CONSUMER FELT THAT IF SYSTEMS FAILED IT COULD LOCK UP THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 10, 1998

1998 Chevrolet Corvette — common questions

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 466 complaints put the 1998 model at #3 of 62 Corvette years. It is one of the Corvette years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Corvette problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (222 complaints), electrical system (45 complaints), brakes (40 complaints).

Does the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Corvette years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Corvette years to avoid are 2005, 2008, 1998, 2006, 2007, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2017, 2004, 1997, 2002, 2009, 2019, 2003, 2016, 2011, 2013, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2012, 1996, 2018, 1995, 2020, 1990. The cleanest record among Corvette years belongs to 1982.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.