Most common 2001 Chevrolet Corvette problems
Share of the 205 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 →
2001 Chevrolet Corvette recalls (1)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2001 Chevrolet Corvette:
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…
What 2001 Chevrolet Corvette owners say
Steering all 88 →
Chevy / GM recalled over 100,000 Corvettes built between 1997 and 2004 for a steering column lock issue, that renders the car un drivable. The fuel supply cuts off at 2 miles per hour. Many of the dealers did a faulty job fixing the problem, causing it to recur. My 2001 Corvette (with less than 17,000 miles) repeatedly experiences this problem. GM says they will not warrant this known defective design, due to the recall expiring. According to an internet search on "Corvette Steering Column Lock", there no telling how many unhappy Corvette owners this has created. Need your help getting this $50,000 car back on the road.
My Corvette was inspected as part of the initial steering lock recall and I was told it was okay, no action was needed. Subsequently, my steering column lock has frozen and the vehicle cannot be moved under its own power. Does the original recall still apply? From what I have seen on the Corvette Forum, this is an ongoing, recurring issue with C5 Corvettes.
Fuel & propulsion system all 32 →
Chevy / GM recalled over 100,000 Corvettes built between 1997 and 2004 for a steering column lock issue, that renders the car un drivable. The fuel supply cuts off at 2 miles per hour. Many of the dealers did a faulty job fixing the problem, causing it to recur. My 2001 Corvette (with less than 17,000 miles) repeatedly experiences this problem. GM says they will not warrant this known defective design, due to the recall expiring. According to an internet search on "Corvette Steering Column Lock", there no telling how many unhappy Corvette owners this has created. Need your help getting this $50,000 car back on the road.
We purchased the car on 12/17/21. I went to Costco on 12/18/21 to get gas. I had a preset amount of $50 to put into the car. When I got to $50 I shut the pump off myself, the tank was not full enough for it to shut off automatically. As I look down on the ground I saw a fluid running out from underneath the car and rolling along the ground. I touched it with my finger and discovered it was gasoline. I put the nozzle back into the holder and I checked underneath the car and saw it was dripping from the drivers side in the area just behind the drivers door. I pulled the car over to the side to inspect it further. By now the gas had stopped dripping. Since the exhaust pipe is right next to the fuel tank I was afraid of a fire or explosion. Had some fuel vapors but they dissipated shortly after. My gas gauge was registering full at this time. …
Engine & cooling all 27 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Corvette. While the vehicle was in reverse, the steering wheel seized and the engine stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called a dealer (john l sullivan Chevrolet 350 automall dr, roseville, ca 9566[phone]), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that no recall was associated with the VIN and did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 134,000.
At 3,900 miles my new car was down 1quart of oil. Upon questioning I found this was common problem with 2001 corvettes. At 15000 miles GM replace pistons but said that it is acceptable by GM stardards for the Corvette to burn a quart of oil every 900 miles. However they won't give me information in writing only to my lawger which I don't feel needed yet. I also had a friend who has same year Corvette as mine and he two is burning oil. It is a know problem even in GM web sites for it mechanics. Please help I'm tired of checking oil and reporting consumption to dealership I didn't purchase a 50,000 car for this.
2001 Chevrolet Corvette engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Chevrolet Corvette a good car?
Based on 205 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Corvette rates use caution: 1.4× 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 2001 Chevrolet Corvette?
The steering — 88 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year, most often about column locking › anti-theft device. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (32) and engine & cooling (27).
How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Corvette have?
There is 1 recall for the 2001 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 2001 Chevrolet Corvette problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 42,000 miles; 66% 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.