VehicleVerdict

2002 Chevrolet Corvette problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 191 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.1 times the median Corvette year — the 2002 model ranks #12 of 62 Corvette years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 60 reports (31% of the total).

191

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Corvette years?

Corvette NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Corvette years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Corvette problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering6031%
Tires & Wheels3820%
Electrical System2714%
Fuel System1910%
Brakes126%
Lighting74%
Engine74%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Suspension32%
Transmission32%
Other32%
Body & Structure32%
Seats21%
Seat Belts11%
Speed Control11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette have recalls?

3 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STEER BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT A CURB, AND THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 27, 2004 · crash

“2002 CORVETTE RIGHT REAR WHEEL CRACKED. RPO CODE QF5 STYLE WHEELS. IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE STYLE WHEELS. CAR HAS APPROX 75,000 MILES ON IT WITH NO OTHER DAMAGE OR ABUSE TO CAR OR WHEEL. DISCOVERED VIA TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR INDICATING TIRE WAS FLAT. ON INSPECTION THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 7, 2011

“NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH COMPUTER READOUT MESSAGE: SERVICE ABS, SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL. DEALER HAS FOUND THAT COMMUNICATION IS BEING LOST BETWEEN THE STEERING SENSOR AND COMPUTER. NO REASON WHY. POSSIBLE LOOSE PIN CONNECTION? ALL OTHER EQUIPMENT CHECKS OUT OK. HAD LOSS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 28, 2005

“I HAVE A 2002 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE. EACH TIME THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED THERE IS A STRONG FUEL ODOR SMELL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR. EVEN WITH THE TOP DOWN THE SMELL CAUSES HEADACHES AND NAUSEA! ALL IT WILL REQUIRE IS A SINGLE SPARK TO CAUSE DEATH! IT IS TIME TO FORCE A RECALL ON ALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 1, 2010

“ WHILE MAKING A TIGHT LEFT TURN TO GAIN ENTRANCE TO THE I75 ON RAMP SOUTH OF GAINSVILLE FLA. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER LOCKED UP CAUSING THE CAR TO SWERVE VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT. FORTUNATELY NO OTHER CAR WAS ALONGSIDE SO AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED.. SINCE THEN THIS MALFUNCTION HAS REPEATED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 17, 2014

2002 Chevrolet Corvette — common questions

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 191 complaints put the 2002 model at #12 of 62 Corvette years. It is one of the Corvette years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Corvette problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (60 complaints), tires & wheels (38 complaints), electrical system (27 complaints).

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.