VehicleVerdict

1999 Chevrolet Corvette problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 389 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 14.4 times the median Corvette year — the 1999 model ranks #6 of 62 Corvette years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 15 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: steering issues account for 53% of all reports (207 of 389), far ahead of electrical system at 45.

389

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

5

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

15

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Corvette years?

Corvette NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Corvette years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Chevrolet Corvette problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering20753%
Electrical System4512%
Brakes256%
Seat Belts205%
Transmission144%
Fuel System144%
Seats133%
Engine113%
Lighting82%
Visibility & Wipers62%
Body & Structure62%
Other62%
Speed Control51%
Tires & Wheels41%
Latches & Locks31%
Suspension21%

Does the 1999 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.

“PE99066, INTERMITTLEY WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH. CHEVROLET SAID IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO REMOVE THE KEY AND WAIT 20 SECONDS. DEALER REPLACED PARTS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM, BUT PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. DEALER CANNOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 15, 1999 · crash

“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. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *YC REF. IN EA02-031…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 17, 1999 · crash

“PARKING BRAKE FAILED TO HOLD ALLOWING VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS INTO A TREE DOING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM AS INDICATED BY THE NUMBER OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS NHTSA SITE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 3, 2004 · crash

“STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHEN IN REVERSE GEAR, AND THE VEHICLE WAS ROLLING WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. 2. PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT IN PLACE PROPERLY OR IT WILL TWIST AND JAM THE SYSTEM ,CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADMITS TO THE DEFECT IN BOTH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · May 14, 1999

“THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED UP THEN TURNED OFF. THERE WAS A WHISTELING SOUND, AND WHITE SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL, THE VEHICLE WAS THEN BACK UP AND FLAMES WHERE NOTICED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT THE FIRE OUT, AND DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS THE FUEL FILTER. CHEVROLET HAS BEEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 28, 1999 · fire

1999 Chevrolet Corvette — common questions

Is the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 389 complaints put the 1999 model at #6 of 62 Corvette years. It is one of the Corvette years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Corvette problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (207 complaints), electrical system (45 complaints), brakes (25 complaints).

Does the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 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.