Most common 1999 Chevrolet Corvette problems
Share of the 308 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 →
1999 Chevrolet Corvette recalls (2)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette:
Front lap belt malfunction
There is no summary currently available
Steering column lock module
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 1999 Chevrolet Corvette owners say
Steering all 194 →
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering) in 2019. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Service - Steering Column Lock" was displayed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who informed the contact that he needed to pay for a diagnostic test to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would follow up with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 37,300.
Still having a problem with the steering column locking on my 1999 Corvette after the first recall was performed. Chevrolet issued a second recall but I never received a notification. the dealer indicated both recalls were closed and I had to pay $600+ to fix the problem. I contacted GM Customer Care for assistance but pretty much got the same feedback that the recall was closed and that there was no financial assistance they would provide, 100% of the cost would be my responsibility. I don't understand how a safety recall can be closed until it is repaired? I'm not sure why consumers have to pay for a design issue that has the potential of causing an accident due to the potential of the steering column locking up while driving! I had no choice but to direct the dealer to perform the repairs so I can drive the car with confidents it won't lockup in the future. …
Electrical system all 30 →
I was the owner of a 1999 c-5 Corvette sport coup with 12,924 miles and in mint condition. On nov.17,04 at 7:50 pm, I was pulling away from a stop sign. As I made a right hand turn around a corner I accelerated the car in a normal manner. All of a sudden the engine went to the full throttle position and the rear of the car jumped to the left. I tried to correct and then the car jumped to the right and I hit a palm tree. During this rapid acceleration event I lifted my foot from the accelerator with no effect to the engine RPM. The distance from the stop sign where I made the right hand turn to the palm tree was about 150-200 feet. The car was totaled by my insurance company. A passenger and myself are OK but we have some seat belt bruising. I feel that the seat belt and air bags saved our lives. I would like the nstb to look into these types of crashes and advise me of the results. …
While pulling my car out of the garage and in drive the steering wheel locked as if the key was removed and in the security mode. I stopped the car and tried to wiggle the key to remedy, it would not, I had to stop the car, return the transmission to park, turn the key off and remove, and when I reinstalled and started the car the steering wheel would unlock. I took the car to the dealer, whom informed me this was a safety recall, had been addressed about 3500 miles prior, and it would now need to be repeated and my cost is almost $1000.00. It appears to me the recall correction was either not designed, installed, or has correctly resolved the recall problem. Imagine had this occurred while traveling at highway speeds?? I contacted GM and reported, they chose to do nothing. [redacted]
Brakes all 25 →
Almost every C5 (1997-2004) Corvette is affected by a faulty electronic brake control module. When this module fails, the car illuminates the ABS and traction control light. And displays service abs and service traction control messages. This is a serious safety issue as when this happens, the abs brakes no longer work nor does the traction control. It blows my mind how this has never been recalled especially on a rear drive sports car.
My Corvette as well as many others from 97-04 suffer from the active handling ABS/traction control system going bad. The part is known as the ebcm. When it goes bad (if cruise is engaged) the car will disable cruise control suddenly causing car to slow down. Also, when the system fails while moving it cause cause uneven brake feeling and you loose the ABS and traction control systems . GM has discontinued the parts required to repair this and this issue has been major safety concerns for many years now affecting many 97-04 corvettes. Also a part of this system is the steeling wheel position sensor which is also discontinued. Swps can send wrong info to the other computers and the car will make erroneous 'corrections' that can lead to brakes being applied at any moment while driving.
1999 Chevrolet Corvette engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 26 / 20 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette a good car?
Based on 308 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Corvette rates avoid: 2.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the Corvette at the same age. It is one of the Corvette years we suggest avoiding. 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 1999 Chevrolet Corvette?
The steering — 194 complaints, 63% of all complaints for this model year, most often about steering wheel/handle bar. Next are the electrical system (30) and brakes (25).
How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1999 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 1999 Chevrolet Corvette problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 45,000 miles; 60% 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.