Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Chevrolet Corvette owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on slick road surfaces, the contact lost control of the vehicle with the service traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact had called several dealers in the Miami area and was informed that the parts to repair the vehicle were no longer being manufactured. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. Consumer stated no aftermarket replacements available or made or remanufactured.
I own a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The EBCM can have an issue. Complains of traction control, ABS braking and AH active handling. This can cause issues when driving with no ABS active. I have seen numerous complaints about this issue here and on various forums. Unfortunately the part needed to correct the issue is no longer available and for some reason cannot be repaired. Used parts are costly (2K or more) and no guarantee they work. GM should provide replacement part or work around. If not available they should offer total car buy backs for a fare price depending on condition or offer an exchange for a corvette that can be repaired.
Sitting idle, all warning lights illuminate on dash board, in dash display shows"service engine soon". Made it home when smoke bellowed from under hood. ABS module shorted out and started fire at module and wiring harness. Thankfully, I am a body man and knew what to do by disconnecting the battery. If my wife was driving there would have been a full blown fire. My research shows, this is a very common problem with the 1997 to 2000 Corvette with j 04 active brake control option. Not only is there a fire possibility, the part manufacture has gone out of business in 2007, the module or harness and no longer available. Due to the fire history of this part, no aftermarket company's will rebuild this unit. Zero available new, very limited used (yards will only sell a totaled Corvette as a rolling chasis). This leaves us Corvette owners purchased for $50,000 new with a undrivable vehicle! …
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".
I slammed on my brakes and my ABS brakes failed, my car could not stop and I narrowly missed hitting the car in front of me. I had my car diagnosed at john l sullivan Chevrolet and was told that my ABS "electronic brake control module" failed and there are no replacement parts available from the dealer or aftermarket. I went online to the corvetteforum.com and found out that there are hundreds of Corvette owners with the same problem. There are no fixes for this. I couldn't believe that GM could not address this issue and have parts available. This problem includes corvettes manufactured from 1998-2004. I would like to know what it takes to make this a recall issue. This is a serious issue and I'm afraid to let my family drive my car.
Purchased car new.at about 5000miles started to notice vibaration in steering wheel when brakes were applied . At about 10000miles vibration was severe under hard braking.dealer[jon hall Chevrolet] determined all 4 rotors were warped and resurfaced at no charge.at about 15000 miles started to notice vibration again.car now has 22000 miles is out of warrantee and vibration is again severe under hard braking. I would like a general motors representative to look into this problem. Dealer informed me this was a common problem with 1998 models.I beleive this is a serious safety defect which could result in an accident during high speed [60-70mph] braking and a recall should be issued to replace what is an obvious design defect.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while at a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly with the illumination of the posi traction and ABS warning indicators. The brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to slow down until the gear was shifted into the park position. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the steering harness and an unknown part related to the front engine was replaced. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken to a different dealer where the master computer and alternator were both replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,722.
Driving down a 4 lane city street a child chasing his ball ran out in front of my car. I slammed on the brakes not knowing that the ABS system was not working, it caused me to lose control of the car and spin out into oncoming traffic. I called the local Chevrolet dealer to find out about repairs and was told that the abc control module is no longer available and it can not be rebuilt or repaired. What im I going to do now with an unsafe car. There are thousands of these cars with the same problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH attempting to engage the brakes, the brake pedal would pulsate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the front brakes and rotors needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Dt caller stated: the parking brake of my Corvette is not working, is not the first he heard a lot of people with corvettes have the same problem. Can't park the car confident and be sure that nothing is going to happen.
Brake complaints in other Corvette years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette, 9% of the model year's 399 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Corvette brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Corvette brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.