Most common 1997 Chevrolet Corvette problems
Share of the 153 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Corvette complaints by model year
Best Corvette years: 2021, 2012, 2011. Years to avoid: 2017, 2019, 1998, 2005, 2008. Compare all years →
1997 Chevrolet Corvette recalls (5)
Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device
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.
Remedy: On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, the dealer will disable the steering column lock by removing the column lock plate.
Seat belts › Front
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lap belt webbing can twist allowing the webbing to become jammed in the retractor.
Remedy: Dealers will install inserts to the belt web guide of each lap belt retractor.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
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."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and passenger side seat belt retractor assemblies.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right hand fuel tank assemblies (including fuel sending unit and pump).
Suspension › Rear
The rear suspension tie rod assembly can fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right-hand rear suspension tie rod links.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette:
Front lap belt malfunction
There is no summary currently available
Steering column lockup
See resume in repository.
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…
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…
What 1997 Chevrolet Corvette owners say
Steering all 95 →
Service bulletin 05081 just performed on my Corvette to fix a steering column lock problem. After work performed I get a message to remove key and wait 10 sec. Tgm completed a service bulletin on my car that leaves me with a car that stalls immediately after starting. In the many years I owned the car I had only gotten the message once, which related to the steering column lock. Now since the service bulletin was done to fix the problem I get the message every other time I start the car. I feel as though the car is unsafe to drive I have already had one occasion where I did not see the info message. I proceeded to pull out of a parking space only to have the car stall and almost get hit by a truck. Fortunately the truck was able to stop before a collision occurred. …
I own a 1997 Corvette with a manual transmission that has had two instances of the electronic clolumn lock system failing. The first failure occurred in June of 2000 and GM replaced the module at no charge. The second failure occurred in August of 2003. I understand that GM has done a recall on 1997 Corvette's for this problem (recall campaign #04V060). I wrote a letter to GM requesting information and reinbursement for my costs due to the failure of the ECM in August of 2003, but was told by the GM customer service center that my particular vehicle was not affected by the recall. I don't underdstand how there can be a recall for 1997 Corvette's that excludes a vehicle car that has had two instances of the recalled part failing. The car only had 32,000 miles on it, the second time the part failed. …
Engine & cooling
The engine light and the service traction light had come on while traveling. The repair work was made on the pulley, and the balancer. The top pulley looked as if someone began to work on it but didn't finish because the bolts were loose. The consumer had taken the vehicle to another shop and was told that there was a program error. The primary belt/tensioner belt had come off-the tensioner belt was replaced. The steering column locked up, the power steering belt was taken off. The low traction light had come on intermittently while accelerating and making turns. The keyless entry remotes were inoperative and were reprogrammed. The vehicle made a loud popping noise. Refer to odi#10002502 scc ref. In ea02-031
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 NHTSA campaign number: 04V060000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
Fuel & propulsion system
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.
Fuel leaking from the gas tank along with strong odor of gas. I purchased this vehicle in feb 2010 I do see a recall for other corvettes same year, but different VIN#'s. I am concerned there are more vehicles with the same problem that the GM has not looked at . This car was made in the same plant as the others and my car has other recalls that have been taken care that were from that plant bowling green plant code 5. I am certain that those VIN #'s are not the only vehicles with this problem.
1997 Chevrolet Corvette engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 25 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette a good car?
Based on 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Corvette rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Corvette at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette?
The steering — 95 complaints, 62% of all complaints for this model year, most often about steering wheel/handle bar. Next are the engine & cooling (16) and fuel & propulsion system (12).
How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette have?
There are 5 recalls for the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette, the most recent from February 9, 2004 (anti-theft device). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Corvette?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021, 2012 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2019, 1998, 2005 and 2008. See the full Chevrolet Corvette years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Corvette problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 42,000 miles; 54% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.