1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
466
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
29
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
The 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE has received a total of 466 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE. 29 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Steeringcolumn Lockinganti Theft Device (82 complaints), Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar (80 complaints), and Steering (37 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE, potentially affecting up to 257,003 vehicles.
Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 04V060000 — STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
| 126,624 vehicles affected
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...
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...
View full details →Recall 00V111000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT
| 71,569 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LAP BELT WEBBING CAN TWIST ALLOWING THE WEBBING TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR.
Consequence: WHEN THE BELT WEBBING BECOMES JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR, THE SEAT BELT MAY BE UNUSABLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL INSERTS TO THE BELT WEB GUIDE OF EACH LAP BELT RETRACTOR.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
466 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering column lock failed to unlock, preventing the vehicle from being driven. After turning the key, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The service steering column lock warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while the vehicle was with a local transmission mechanic for service, the technician was reversing out of the service bay when the Service Column warning light illuminated. No other warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to another local mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,565.
The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the steering column remained in the locked position and the steering wheel could not be turned in either direction. The contact stated that occasionally the message "Remove Key - Wait 10 Seconds" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced that failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 78,000.
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.
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.
View all Steeringcolumn Lockinganti Theft Device complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
General Motors, LLC has issued 29 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIC-5391 — TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
GM: THE DIAGNOSIS AND PROCEDURE FOR WHEN THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON. *RM
PIC-5347A — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
GM: THE FUEL GAUGE MAY SHOW EMPTY WHEN THERE IS STILL GAS IN THE TANK. VEHICLES MAY ALSO RUN OUT OF GAS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE AT HALF-FULL. *RM
040731005 — POWER TRAIN
CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE WEAR INDICATOR ADJUSTMENT. *TT
01418 — VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
BLOTCHES IN ALL GLASS. SERVICE VME. *TT
020604022A — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) REPROGRAMMING AND DATA LINE DIAGNOSIS USING J42236A. *TT
060503 — WHEELS
NUMBER OF COMMENTS ABOUT THE WHEELS BEING DAMAGED FROM THE WHEEL WEIGHT MOVING ON THE WHEEL FLANGE. *TT
060403 — STRUCTURE:BODY
WATER LEAK INTO THE DRIVER'S FOOT WELL AREA. REPAIRS WILL CONSIST OF REMOVING THE WIPER MOTOR AND RESEALING THE COWL SEAM. *TT
020420003 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
SUBJECT REGARDING REVISED SIDE COVER AND GASKET REPLACEMENT (RH) / DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER COVER AND SEAL REPLACEMENT - RIGHT. *TT
051302 — EQUIPMENT
INFORMATION ON DECALS USED ON THE INDY PACE CAR. *TT
020857003 — STRUCTURE:BODY
SUBJECT REGARDING GENERAL WATERLEAK GUIDE. *TT
Showing 10 of 29 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE.
Other Model Years of the CHEVROLET CORVETTE
- 1993 CHEVROLET CORVETTE — 26 complaints
- 1994 CHEVROLET CORVETTE — 38 complaints
- 1995 CHEVROLET CORVETTE — 48 complaints
- 1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE — 63 complaints
- 1997 CHEVROLET CORVETTE — 196 complaints
- 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE (current)
- 1999 CHEVROLET CORVETTE — 389 complaints
- 2000 CHEVROLET CORVETTE — 359 complaints
- 2001 CHEVROLET CORVETTE — 281 complaints
- 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE — 191 complaints
- 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE — 126 complaints
Other CHEVROLET Models
- CHEVROLET MALIBU — 28,991 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 — 22,175 total complaints
- CHEVROLET IMPALA — 15,197 total complaints
- CHEVROLET TAHOE — 12,511 total complaints
- CHEVROLET EQUINOX — 12,135 total complaints
- CHEVROLET BLAZER — 11,032 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SILVERADO — 10,928 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 10,375 total complaints