1998 Chevrolet Corvette problems
The Chevrolet Corvette is a line of American two-door, two-seater sports cars, manufactured and marketed by General Motors, under the Chevrolet marque, since 1953.
Over the course of eight generations, indicated sequentially as C1 to C8, the Corvette is noted for its performance, distinctive styling, lightweight fiberglass or composite bodywork, and competitive pricing. Since the cessation of Ford and Chrysler's competitors, the Corvette is the only two-seat sports car produced by a major United States auto manufacturer and serves as Chevrolet's halo car.
Since its introduction in 1953, the two-seater has steadily moved upmarket. Originally a relatively modest, lightweight 6‑cylinder convertible, subsequent introductions of V8 engines, competitive chassis innovations, and rear mid-engined layout have positioned the Corvette in the supercar class. The first three Corvette generations (1953–1983) employed body-on-frame construction, and since the C4 generation, introduced in 1983 as an early 1984 model, Corvettes have used GM's unibody Y‑body platform. All Corvettes used front mid-engine configuration for seven generations, through 2019, and transitioned to a rear mid-engined layout with the C8 generation.
In 1953, GM executives accepted a suggestion by Myron Scott, then the assistant director of the Public Relations department, to name the company's new sports car after the corvette, a small maneuverable warship. The first model, a convertible, was introduced at the 1953 GM Motorama as a concept car; production models went on sale later that year. In 1963, the second generation was introduced in coupe and convertible styles. Originally manufactured in Flint, Michigan, and St. Louis, Missouri, the Corvette has been produced in Bowling Green, Kentucky, since 1981, which is also the location of the National Corvette Museum.
The Corvette has become widely known as "America's Sports Car." Automotive News wrote that after being featured in the early 1960s television show Route 66, "the Corvette became synonymous with freedom and adventure," ultimately becoming both "the most successful concept car in history and the most popular sports car in history."
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Common 1998 Chevrolet Corvette problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette, several common problems have been reported:
- Power Steering Issues:
- Owners experienced the steering wheel seizing at various speeds, leading to hazardous situations. Despite a recall, some owners did not have their VIN included for a remedy, resulting in out-of-pocket expenses of around $600 for repairs.
- Intermittent Engine Stalling:
- The engine shuts off intermittently while the vehicle is in motion, occurring at various speeds and situations, from backing out of a garage to driving on a freeway. This issue poses a significant safety risk due to sudden loss of motive power.
- Parking Brake Malfunction:
- Several owners reported the parking brake not working correctly, causing rollaway situations. This malfunction led to accidents where cars rolled backward uncontrollably, posing a danger to both the vehicle occupants and surrounding property.
- Electronic Column Lock System Failure:
- The electronic column lock (ECL) system, responsible for unlocking the steering when the key is in the ignition, could fail to function correctly. This defect could result in the steering not unlocking or engine power not shutting off as intended, potentially endangering occupants.
- Fuel Gauge Inaccuracy:
- Certain types of gasoline, especially those with high sulfur content, caused the fuel gauge to inaccurately read empty. This issue could lead to drivers running out of fuel unexpectedly, causing inconvenience and potential safety hazards.
These problems highlight significant safety and functionality concerns with the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. Owners faced challenges ranging from steering and engine issues to brake malfunctions and fuel gauge inaccuracies, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues promptly to ensure the safety and reliability of the vehicle.
Are 98 Corvettes reliable?
Very reliable, very comfortable and very fast. I think everyone should own one. Rating breakdown (out of 5): Comfort 4.0.
How many miles will a 1998 Corvette last?
A well-maintained C5 Corvette can last between 150,000 to 200,000 miles, translating to approximately 10-13 years for the average driver. However, maintenance and care vary widely among individual cars. Issues range from minor electrical problems to more significant concerns like the steering column lockups.
What years of C5 to avoid?
If you're in the market for a C5 Chevy Corvette, it will be a safer bet to avoid the earlier editions, especially the 1998 model year. Numerous owner complaints and poor recall management from Chevrolet make the '98 model the least reliable C5 Corvette. Chevrolet made a lot of improvements with the 2001 Corvette.
What year was the bad Corvette?
What is the worse Corvette of all time? 1975. The body was degraded from the original 1968 shark design with energy-absorbing boat anchors on each end. The engine was a sluggish 350 with only 165 hp, hardly enough to run the quarter in 16.1 seconds at 87.4 mph.
Are 98 Corvettes reliable?
Very reliable, very comfortable and very fast. I think everyone should own one. Rating breakdown (out of 5): Comfort 4.0.
How long do 1998 Corvettes last?
A well-maintained C5 Corvette can last between 150,000 to 200,000 miles, translating to approximately 10-13 years for the average driver. However, maintenance and care vary widely among individual cars. Issues range from minor electrical problems to more significant concerns like the steering column lockups.
Do C5 Corvettes have problems?
Many C5's came with AC Delco Freedom batteries that tend to have the case crack near the battery posts. The leaking battery acid would drip down the side of the battery, down the funnel-like battery support, straight down onto the PCM and the wiring loom.
What are the problem years for Corvette?
2008, 2015, And 2017 Are Among The Most Problematic Model Years Of The Chevy Corvette. The Car Complaints website rates the 2008 model as the worst year of the Corvette due to costly problems at low mileage. Many owners have complained about sensing a strong fuel odor in their 2008 Corvette.
1998 Chevrolet Corvette car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet Corvette problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Steering problems
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Seats problems
- Seat belts problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1998 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
The NHTSA has received 407 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1998 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-09
- VIN: 1G1YY32G8W5
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-11
- VIN: 1G1YY22G3W5
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-21
- VIN: 1G1YY32G5W5
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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.
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-07-31
- VIN: 1G1YY32G5W5
- Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-10-01
- VIN: 1g1yy22gxw5
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-07-27
- VIN: 1G1YY32G4W5
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: On July 27, 2021, I was cruising in my 1998 Convertible Chevy maunal Corvette with under 50k miles. I had it inspected around the end of June. I just driving pulled ahead of traffic and the clutch pedal went all the way down to floor as I approached a stop light!!! I lost all power. I didn't know what to do, but a light bulb in my head went off. But thankfully there was no traffic and I was able to run a light and coast into a gas station and get towed. Upon research the 1998 manual clutch design is used in newer vehicles that and its a system design flaw. Car at shop and we are waiting for parts that are back ordered. Since transmission has to come out I'm getting all clutch stuff fixed. But clutch wasn't bad just the Fly wheel and Master Salve. I will send you bill when I get it. I could have died, caused an accident, been rear ended, it was crazy.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-11
- VIN: 1G1YY22G2W5
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: THE CAR CONSTANTLY AND REGULARLY SMELLS LIKE GAS ON THE INSIDE.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-08-22
- VIN: 1G1YY22G2W5
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. PROCEED TO START VEHICLE. STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP. HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. IN RESEARCHING INFORMATION REGARDING PAST RECALLS APPARENTLY HEDRICK'S DEALERSHIP OF FRESNO, CA COMPLETED WORK BUT IN ASKING WHAT THEY COMPLETED, I WAS INFORMED THAT ALL PAST COMPUTER DATA WAS PURGED FROM THEIR FILES SO THEY CANNOT TELL ME WHAT WAS COMPLETED. I THEN CALLED GM TO GET INFORMATION BUT AFTER TALKING TO THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE I WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHAT WAS COMPLETED. I REFERENCED A GM REPORT ENTITLED "04006C - PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL - FEBRUARY 8, 2006" IN TALKING WITH THE GM REPRESENTATIVES AND I WAS TOLD THE REPORT DIDN'T EXIST. THE REPORT WAS FOUND AT HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV. THIS REPORT REPLACED BULLETIN 04006B - NOVEMBER 23, 2004. IN READING ON NHTSA, SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME VEHICLE ISSUES WITH STEERING COLUMN. PLUS, WITH WORK BEING COMPLETED BUT STILL HAVING SAME ISSUES. CAN YOU ASSIST ME IN OBTAINING THE RECALL WORK COMPLETION REPORT ON MY VEHICLE? HEDRICK'S INDICATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW AT THE COST OF $165.00 AND THEN GO FROM THERE. IN READING "04006C - PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL - FEBRUARY 8, 2006" IT INDICATES, "DEALERS ARE TO SERVICE ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL AT NO CHARGE TO CUSTOMERS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, AGE OF VEHICLE, OR OWNERSHIP, FROM THIS TIME FORWARD." PLUS, WHATEVER WORK HEDRICK'S COMPLETED THE WORK WASN'T SUFFICIENT AS THE ISSUE OF THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKING UP CONTINUES.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-05-01
- VIN: 1G1YY22G3W5
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NO EXTEND OUT OR RETRACT. JAMMING OCCURS EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS ISSUE. IT IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM THAT STARTED ABOUT IN 2018.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-08-19
- VIN: 1G1YY22G2W5
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: ABS/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ON. WENT TO DEALER AND NO PART IS AVAILABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIR. SO I HAVE NO ABS OR TRACION CONTROL ON MY CAR PART NO 9367071 & 12530740
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-09-23
- VIN: 1G1YY32G5W5
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE MULTIPLE TIMES, SHOOK THE STEERING WHEEL, AND REMOVED THE BATTERY SO THE COMPUTER COULD REPROGRAM; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINED LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-05-07
- VIN: 1G1YY22G8W5
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: PARKING BRAKES DON'T WORK.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-08-01
- VIN: 1G1YY22G0W5
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS I WHAT TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAVE TO KEEP PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL A FEW TIMES BEFORE I CAN GET THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-12-12
- VIN: 1G1YY32G4W5
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL, THE CONTACT STARTED THE ENGINE, DROVE THREE FEET, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE THREE MORE FEET BEFORE THE ENGINE CUT OFF AGAIN. THE STEERING COLUMN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,253.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-10-27
- VIN: 1G1YY32G5W5
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO SCHUMACHER BUICK GMC OF NORTH PALM BEACH DEALER LOCATED AT 3720 NORTHLAKE BLVD SUITE C, LAKE PARK, FL 33403 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK, THE STEERING PLATE, THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 866-790-5600 AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. A CASE NUMBER 8-3480612551 WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,500.
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-09-27
- VIN: 1G1YY22GXW5
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FAILED TO LOCK IN POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT CONTINUED TO SLIDE FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE SEAT SLID FORWARD AND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE SEAT SLID BACKWARDS. THE LOCAL DEALER (DON HATTAN EL DORADO, 1702 W CENTRAL AVE, EL DORADO, KS, 67042) WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD GIVE THE CONTACT A CALL BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-01-01
- VIN: 1G1YY22G6W5
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. HAD A SERVICE COLUMN LOCK DISPLAY. TOOK IT IN ON A RECALL. THEY FIXED IT AND 6 MONTHS LATER LEFT ME STRANDED AGAIN WITH SAME CODE. CHARGED ME 1000 DOLLARS TO TELL ME THE WHEEL LOCK BROKE. WE ALL KNOW THAT'S NOT TRUE. 2 WEEKS LATER HAVE A SERVICE POWER TRAIN WITH NUMEROUS CODES. HAVE TO RESET ALL CODES TO DRIVE CAR. THEY COME BACK WITH SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND HEATER BLOWS HOT ON ONE SIDE AND COLD ON OTHER. THEN NEXT DAY IT'S THE OPPOSITE. UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS THE ONLY CORVETTE THAT I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH AND ACCORDING TO THE REVIEWS. THE C5 CORVETTE HAS MANY DRIVE TRAIN ISSUES. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND RECALLED IF THEY WANT BUYERS TO CHEVROLET VEHICLES.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-03-20
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: "TAKATA RECALL" STRONG FUEL VAPOR SMELL EMITTING FROM REAR OF THE CAR.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-01-06
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G1YY32G2W5
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR TORN MUSCLES IN HIS NECK, ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HEAD THREE INCHES ABOVE THE EAR, ONE RIB ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS FRACTURED, AND TORN MUSCLES IN THE LOWER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-02-25
- VIN: 1G1YY22G1W5
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE COLUMN LOCK FAILURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HARNESS KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-07-06
- VIN: 1G1YY22G9W5
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: I HAVE OWNED MY 1998 CORVETTE FOR TWO YEARS. THE PULL KEY AND WAIT 10 SECONDS AND THE SERVICE STEERING COLUMN LOCK ERRORS ARE CRIPPLING ME ENJOYMENT OF THE CAR. I HAVE INSTALLED AN LMC5 MODULE LAST YEAR AND THE PROBLEMS WILL NOT GO AWAY. THE RECALL ON THE SERVICE COLUMN LOCK WAS PERFORMED ON THE CAR WHICH REMOVED THE ACTUAL LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE STEERING COLUMN. BUT THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE OVER TWO MILES PER HOUR WITH THE ERROR MESSAGE AND I HAVE FOUND NO FIXED THAT HELP ME. WHAT IS GM DOING ABOUT THE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE PROBLEM ON THEIR MOST DISTINGUISHED CAR MODEL.... ? ALL INSTANCES HAPPEN WHEN FIRST STARITING THE CAR NO MATTER HOW LONG IT HAS SAT. BATTERY IS PERFECT. I VERY RARELY DIVE THE CAR, BUT WHEN I DO I HAVE THIS HORRIBLE PROBLEM AND IT IS GETTING WORSE.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-06-22
- VIN: 1G1YY22G8W5
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 12/01/16*LJ UDATED 12/05/16.*JB
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-06-11
- VIN: 1G1YY22G7W5
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SWITCHED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, IT MOVED FORWARD BRIEFLY AND STALLED AS THE COLUMN LOCK REPAIR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-06-06
- VIN: 1G1YY22G8W5
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVER CAN SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK, CABLE WILL BREAK, DRIVER ASSUMES CAR IS IN PARK BUT DUE TO THE BREAK THE CAR IS STILL IN DRIVE AND WILL REMAIN IN FORWARD MOTION ALL THE WHILE THE SHIFTER INDICATES THE CAR IS IN PARK. SPOKE WITH CHEVY DEALER MECHANICS AND AM TOLD THIS IS VERY COMMON ON 1997-2000 CORVETTES.....HE SAYS THEY DO THE REPAIR ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. REPAIR COST WAS $345.00 INCLUDING THE PARTS.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-02-28
- VIN: 1G1YY22G7W5
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: THE MODULE CONTROLLING THE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM WAS POORLY DESIGNED BY GENERAL MOTORS AND TURNS OFF THE SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING. GENERAL MOTORS NO LONGER SUPPORTS THIS MODULE AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET A REPLACEMENT. WHEN THE SYSTEM SHUTS OFF A DANGEROUS SITUATION IS CREATED, THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE DIGITAL READOUTS REPEAT "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" AND "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING". THIS SITUATION HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION ON BOTH STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. I HOPE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING THAT THE NHTSA CAN DO SO THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO DRIVE A CAR THAT COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD.
1998 Chevrolet Corvette recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette.
- Manufacturer: DOPE, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: SABERSPORT
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
- Summary: 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 TO DRIVE, THE FUEL SUPPLY WILL BE SHUT OFF SO THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT MOVE WHEN THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE STEERED. IF VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, HOWEVER, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR AND THE VEHICLE CAN BE ACCELERATED WHILE THE STEERING SYSTEM IS LOCKED. ALSO WHEN THE CONTROL SYSTEM SHOWS THAT THE ECL IS UNLOCKED AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE LOCK PIN LOCATION CAN VARY. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE LOCK PLATE RELATIVE TO THE SWITCH TRANSITION POINT, THERE COULD THEN BE CONTACT BETWEEN THE LOCK PLATE AND PIN CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING .
- 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 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, PERFORM A DIMENSIONAL CHECK OF THE COLUMN LOCK AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LOCK PLATE. THE STEERING COLUMN ON THESE VEHICLES WILL CONTINUE TO LOCK WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED. OWNER NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS OF 1997 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2004. OWNERS OF 1998 THROUGH 2004 VEHICLES (EXCEPT 1997-1998 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) WILL BE NOTIFIED BEGINNING ON AUGUST 2, 2004. THE REMAINING OWNERS (1997-1998 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) WILL BE NOTIFIED LATER IN 2004, WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT
- Summary: 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.
Negative 1998 Chevrolet Corvette car reviews
Positive 1998 Chevrolet Corvette car reviews
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The 1998 Corvette Convertible is such a fantastic car! It's so much fun to drive, has great gas mileage, and looks absolutely awesome. Plus, it's American Made! The car is incredibly well engineered and reliable, making it the best sports car value for the money without a doubt. I can't wait to see what GM has in store for the upcoming C6, but if it's anything like the C5, it's sure to be totally spectacular!
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Hi there! Just wanted to give you a heads up that the harmonic balance pulley may come loose and move forward at around 90,000 miles. To fix this, it's best to replace the bolts with new OEM ones and use lock-tight. Hope this helps!
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I recently purchased a 98 Vette Ragtop with a six-speed and I must say, the performance-to-dollar ratio is unbeatable! Although I bought it with 17k miles on it, I did encounter a few issues such as the Delco 12 CD-changer never working and the steering column lock failing twice. Unfortunately, I received no help from GM (dealer and corporate) and had to pay $500 per repair out of my pocket. However, I was able to find a company out of Texas that sold an aftermarket bypass and had the local Vette shop install it, which solved the problem. Despite the GM quirks, the performance and status of the Vette outweigh any issues. Although my experience with GM customer service was not great, I would still consider purchasing another Vette in the future. I would recommend going for the extended warranty next time, just in case!
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I'm so glad you love the car! It's great to hear that you're stoked to finally have one, especially in such good shape.
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It can run with the best. Great, no major problems. There are very few after-market parts required to be successful in racing. It scared me the first time I drove it, but it has lots of power!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1998 Chevrolet Corvette problems:
Common Problems on 98? - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette ...
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Steve Kemmer 2024-05-22
What a lovely car! It's so much fun to drive, even with the automatic transmission. However, there were a few drawbacks that I noticed. The interior, especially the door panels, felt a bit cheap due to the plastic material. Additionally, there were some quality issues that were a bit of a nuisance, such as plastic parts breaking off in the interior and a stuck ignition intercept lock that required a tow to the dealer. Lastly, there were some continued leaks from the tires.