Convertible, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Apr 3, 2003 to Jul 17, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09E-025 | May 11, 2009 | These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated… | Lighting | 42,540 | Refund or buyback |
| 09E-012 | Apr 7, 2009 | These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated… | Lighting | 16,270 | Refund or buyback |
| 04V-060 | Feb 9, 2004 | On certain passenger vehicles equipped with electronic column lock systems (ecl), when the ignition switch is turned to "lock," the ecl system… | Steering | 126,624 | Software update |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
85 complaints on file, page 1 of 5.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while reversing from the driveway, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who replaced the relay and wiring harness kit. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 5,111.
NHTSA complaint 11751111Vehicle was part of mandatory recall for problems with steering column lock. The same identified and inherent problem happened so that the steering column lock is engaged and will not disengage. GM was contacted and refuses support and stated that I would have to take care of the problem and I would have to pay for the cost of the repair. Chevrolet created the problem, is well aware of the inherent problem and yet Chevrolet and it's local dealer will profit from the forcing the customer to pay and for customers safety. The steering column can lock up while the vehicle is moving which puts the operator and others including vehicles, pedestrians and structures in harms way.
NHTSA complaint 11673703Gm refuse to repurchase below is a overview. they are refusing engineering assitance to the dealership to fix the problem. Next week the car will be there a month again. This is the 7th time on this repair which was a recall by your org. The last repair last 153 days. This problem make the car unsafe to drive the dealer also agrees it is unsafe to drive. My car is back at the dealership for the same recall situation. The corvette has been rendered undrivable due to the number of recall repairs that have failed. They are again waiting for a GM engineer. A new case has been opened at the CEO’s office. It was submitted last year for repurchase they not to. The dealership says they should I agree. Gm decline yesterday to repurchase the car. The dealer ship feels it is unsafe to drive Saul Saldano who run the repair shop at Mission Bay chevy. Owned by his family Saldana auto group. When I emailed the CEO and she referred it to their exec team you can who I worked with to get an engineer on site at the dealership last year. I will describe more in my overview below. Overview: I purchased the car in 2013 black on black corvette convertible 6 speed on the floor fully loaded. The car worked perfectly until August 2011 that work order is attached. The dealer performed a recall repair on the steering harness and column lock. They left the lock nut for the steering column off it was found later under the driver’s side seat. The steering came off in my wife’s hands while driving on 4hth st downtown San Diego. The car sustained damage lucky no one was hurt this occurred in 12/01/2011 that work order is attached. The harness failed several times afterwards however I only have records back to 2014. The dealership purged records before 2014. Since 2014 the car has consistently had to return to the dealership to have another lock and harness installed. I can send those work orders on another email. What happens when the steering lock engages is you cannot drive the car. It kill
NHTSA complaint 11491331TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY CEASED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LATER UNLOCKED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER HALL CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 3412 WESTERN BRANCH BLVD, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23321, WHO DIAGNOSED THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK PLATE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCK PLATE WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
NHTSA complaint 11349884A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN AREA AND IN THE TRUNK AFTER FILLING THE CORVETTE WITH GASOLINE. THE STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS AT IT'S STRONGEST SCENT WHEN THE DECK LID WAS OPEN. I STOOD ON THE REAR RIGHT OF THE CORVETTE WITH MY HEAD BARELY INSIDE THE TRUNK. SO BASICALLY REAR RIGHT SECTOR OF THE CORVETTE, JUST PASSED THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL. THE CORVETTE WAS PARKED ON A LEVEL CONCRETE PAD AT THE GAS STATION. I DID NOT OVERFILL. PUMP NOZZLE STOPPED. APPROXIMATELY 14.6 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS PUMPED INTO THE CORVETTE.
NHTSA complaint 11270918MY CAR HAS 45,000 MILES. THERE IS A FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR. I ALWAYS FILL THE TANK FULL WHEN I PLAN ON NOT DRIVING IT FOR A WHILE. IF I LEAVE IT PARKED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND DON'T DRIVE IT, THE FUEL TANK WILL BE EMPTY WHEN I START IT UP. THE FUEL SMELL APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS. I WILL ONLY PARK THE VEHICLE IN OPEN AREAS AND WON'T PARK IT IN A GARAGE DUE TO FEAR OF BUILD UP OF GAS FUMES.
NHTSA complaint 11253274TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING CEASED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING) BY AN UNKNOWN DEALER. AFTER THE RECENT FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FIVE STAR CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (495 WATSON BLVD, WARNER ROBINS, GA 31093, 478-273-8277) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER RECALL. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT SHE WOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL REPAIRS REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
NHTSA complaint 11246026THE CAR HAS DEVELOPED A CONDITION WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILS TO UNLOCK THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. A MESSAGE APPEARS IN THE DIC DISPLAY TELLING YOU TO PULL THE KEY AND WAIT 10 SECONDS. IT SHUTS OFF THE FUEL SUPPLY IF YOU ATTEMPT TO DRIVE IT. CHEVROLET ACKNOWLEDGED THIS CONDITION EXISTED IN 2006 VIA A LETTER. THE CAR ONLY HAD A LITTLE OVER 5K MILES ON IT AT THE TIME AND NOW HAS ONLY 43K ON THE ODOMETER. PER MY PHONE CALL WITH THEM TODAY THEY FEEL THEY ARE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I HAD BACKED INTO THE ROAD AND THE CAR DIED LEAVING ME IN DIRE JEAPORDY. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO MAKE THEM HONOR THIS DEFECT IN THIS VERY EXPENSIVE AUTOMOBILE? NOTE....THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2018 INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint 11182604TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE COLUMN LOCK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AT GREAT LAKES CHEVROLET (310 S CHESTNUT ST, JEFFERSON, OH), BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER THE RECALL AND ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WOULD BE THE CONTACT'S RESPONSIBILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000.
NHTSA complaint 11100522TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER (FREEDOM CHEVROLET, 212 E 5TH ST S, BIG STONE GAP, VA 24219) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE ON THE RECALL LIST TO BE REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
NHTSA complaint 11067022TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK BYPASS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE CURRENT OWNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,240. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint 11051235I WAS BACKING OUT MY DRIVEWAY AND MY STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. I PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND STOPPED THE CAR BECAUSE I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. MYSELF AND A NEIGHBOR WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE COMPUTER GAVE THE MESSAGE ..STEERING COLUMN LOCK MESSAGE AND THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START ANYMORE...MEANING IT WOULD CRANK BUT JUST IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. THIS IS A RECALL SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND CHEVORLET IS AWARE RECALL NUMBER 4006 A, B, C AND SPECIAL PROVISION POLICY 05081.
NHTSA complaint 11006070I INHERITED MY FATHERS 2003 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE IN JANUARY OF 2017, I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT MUCH AND IT ONLY HAS 14000 MILES ON IT. I RECENTLY FILLED IT UP AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR LONG DRIVE. THE DAY AND WEEKS FOLLOWING MY GARAGE HAS SMELLED HEAVILY OF GAS FUMES. I RECENTLY BEGAN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THIS TOPIC AND FOUND THAT APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MODEL CORVETTE. THE ONLINE FORUMS I HAVE READ POINT OUT THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE WHILE DRIVING AS WELL AS CREATE A EXPLOSION HAZARD IN YOUR GARAGE. ONE EVEN SUGGESTED THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND NO SUCH RECALL. I AM FEARFUL THAT IF THIS PROBLEM IS A COMMON PROBLEM SOMEONE WILL OR MAY HAVE ALREADY DIED DUE TO THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint 10995024AGENCY INVOLVED: OTHER OTHER AGENCY, IF SPECIFIED: KY ATTORNEY GENERAL TYPES OF FRAUD: WASTE OR MISMANAGEMENT OF AGENCY FUNDS OR RESOURCES, CONTRACT OR PROCUREMENT FRAUD, EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT OR ABUSE OF AUTHORITY, ETHICS VIOLATIONS, BANK FRAUD OR OTHER FINANCIAL CRIMES CONCERNING BOARD OR CFPB-REGULATED INSTITUTIONS, OTHER - PLEASE SPECIFY: OTHER TYPE OF COMPLAINT, IF ANY: CROOKED DECEPTIVE CAR SALES NAME OF WRONGDOER: KY ATTORNEY GENERAL/ALLEN AUTO/PADUCAH FORD/ COUNTRY CHEVROLET LOCATION OF EVENT: KY EVENT DATES: 5/17/2016 TIL PRESENT SUMMARY OF ALLEGATION: JIMMY ALLEN, ALLEN AUTO SALES RUNS SEVERAL STATE DEALER CRIME RING,I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH CAR DAY ONE AND NO DEALERS WILL TOUCH IT THERE ARE SEVERAL DIAGNOSIS WITH PROVEN FACT WATER DAMAGE, HIRED ATTORNEY 2000.00 TO GET THIS CROOK TO BUY THE CAR BACK, DID NOTHING TO HELP ME, ANDREW ASBRIDGE LARRY STOVESAND, PADUCAH, COMMITTED ELDER ABUSE AGAINST MY 81 YEAR OLD FATHER HAVING HIM COME TO HIS DEALERSHIP TO COSIGN A LOAN FOR MY DAUGHTER,INSTEAD, CAR CAME BACK IN HIS NAME. SERVICE DEPT ERIC TOLD ME MILEAGES,DATES, NONE MATCHED, ODOMETER FRAUD. HE WAS THREATENED FOR TAKING TO ME! THEY KEPT MY CAR A MONTH WITH PERSONAL INFO IN IT,NOW I'M HAVING ID THEFT. IT SAT FOR 5 YEARS ON A LOT IN BOCA RATON, FLA, NO MILES,AND AFTER THIS ALL THE SYSTEMS WERE WORKED ON INDICATING IT HAD BEEN FLOODED.I WAS PROVIDED WITH A BOGUS AUTO CHECK THAT SHOWED NONE OF THIS,OR THE WRECK TO FRONT AND REAR! I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE DAY ONE! ALLEN BOUGHT THE LOT IN FLA AND A SALVAGE LOT AS WELL. MIKE REID IN BENTON KY CONFIRMED WATER DAMAGE BUT WOULD NOT HELP US BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL CONNECTED. THESE CARS ARE RUN THROUGH DIFFERENT STATES UNTIL DEALERS CAN GET TITLES AND I HAD PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE. KY ATTORNEY GENERAL DID NOTHING TO HELP, KY STATE TROOPERS BUDDY PUGH KEEPS THEM SAFE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST ELDERLY AND DISABLED
NHTSA complaint 10983821THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (EBCM) P/N 10343433 ALL OF A SUDDEN FAILED. AS A RESULT THE DASH COMPUTER ERROR CODE C1214 FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL HAS BEEN COMING ON CONSTANTLY. MY WIFE HAS TO PRESS THE RESET BUTTON WHEN SHE PUT THE KEY IN, WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND WHEN IT IS SHUT OFF. THIS EBCM IS NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH ANY WEB SITE OR DEALER AND IS BACK ORDERED. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS FAILURE IS THAT IF YOU STEP TOO FIRMLY ON THE GAS PEDDLE, THE CAR WILL GO OUT OF CONTROL POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AGAIN WITHOUT THE EBCM, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ARE DISABLED. THIS IS A VERY GRAVE HAZARD SHOULD AN OWNER NOT BE AWARE OF WHAT HAPPENS IF THE EBCM MODULE FAILS. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED IMMEDIATELY.
NHTSA complaint 10981072THE STEERING LOCKING MECHANISM SEIZED AND LOCKED THE TIRES IN PLACE WHILE PARKING IT IN OUR DRUVEWAY MAKING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD OUR SPECIFIC CAR VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL FOR THE LOCKING FOR STEERING AND THEY WOULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITHOUT A CHARGE TO US.
NHTSA complaint 10978912I BOUGHT THIS CORVETTE TO CELEBRATE THE DEFEAT OF BEAT CANCER. I DREAMED OF OWNING A CORVETTE SINCE I WAS 10 YEARS OLD, I'VE EXPERIENCED SO MUCH HEARTACHE, I FIGURED, I DON'T HAVE TOO MANY GOOD YEARS LEFT, I MIGHT AS WELL, GIVE MY DREAM A CHANCE, HA!! NO, INSTEAD IT HAS BEEN A NIGHT MARE, IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZIER THAN I WAS, ABOUT TO CAUSE ME A DIVORCE, HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE DAY ONE!! HAS BEEN WORKED ON NUMEROUS TIMES BY ALLEN, THE CROOK I BOUGHT IT FROM, A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DIDN'T WANT TO "GET INVOLVED", A DEALER IN OWENSBORO KY, WHO DIDN'T WANT ME TO DRIVE IT HOME FOR SAFETY REASONS, HOWEVER, THAT'S OVER 2 HOURS FROM HOME AND I HAD NO CHOICE, BUT, A TRUE GM DEALERSHIP, AND 1 OF THE BIGGEST GM DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA IN BENTON KY, TWICE, THE FIRST TIME WHEN I PICKED IT UP, I WENT STRAIGHT TO MY BANK PTFCU, AND IT DIED THERE AND I HAD TO HAVE A WRECKER TAKE IT BACK!! BUT MIKE REID AT COUNTRY CHEVROLET, AS WELL AS LARRY STOVESAND IN PADUCAH KY, BOTH, KNOW BEYOND THE SHADOW OF A DOUBT THAT THE CAR WAS WATER DAMAGE, ALL 3 DEALERS HAVE WITHHELD THAT DOCUMENTATION FROM ME, BUT MIKE REID DID TELL MY HUSBAND HE CAME OUT OF HIS OFFICE TO LOOK FOR HIMSELF AND YES, THERE WAS WATER DAMAGE. HOWEVER, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, THEY DON'T WANT TO "GET INVOLVED" !! JIMMY ALLEN HAS CAUSED ME ALLOT OF MONEY I DIDN'T HAVE BECAUSE A LAWYER TOOK MY MONEY, MAILED JIMMY ALLENS ATTORNEY BEFORE HE DID ME A LETTER SAYING I NO LONGER HAD REPRESENTATION, WHEN ALLEN WAS SUPPOSED TO BUY IT BACK MONTHS AGO. I HAD TO GO TO CHUCK HUTTON IN MEMPHIS TN, TO EVEN GET A REAL CARFAX, THE SERVICE DEPT TOLD ME THEY GOT RID OF IT AFTER 1 DAY BECAUSE OF SO MANY PROBLEMS, AND THAT IT HAD BEEN PAID OFF IN A SETTLEMENT, TWICE!! THE CAR IS THE DEVIL, I'M CONVINCED, AND IT'S BEEN WRECKED IN FRONT LEFT AND REAR LEFT WITH ODOMETER FRAUD.
NHTSA complaint 10960181TAKATA INFLATORS AND THE CAR DEALER WANTS MY CAR BACK BECAUSE HE IS SCARED HE IS FOUND OUT.
NHTSA complaint 10947087STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK. I DO NOT SEE ANY DRIPS OR PUDDLES, BUT THE ODOR IS VERY STRONG. I DO NOT NOTICE THE ODOR WHILE DRIVING. I CAN ONLY DETECT IT IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. I HAD THE CAR PARKED IN THE GARAGE THE DAY BEFORE WITH A NEARLY EMPTY TANK, AND THERE WAS NO ODOR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH LATER VIN 2003 CORVETTE AND ALL 2004 CORVETTES. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10947029THIS 03 CORVETTE HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE, I BOUGHT IT AFTER BEING MISLED AND DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AND NEVER GIVEN CORRECT VEHICLE REPORT, IT HAS AWKWARD GLITCHES IN LIGHTING, ALL EJECTOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, IT INDICATES WATER DAMAGE; HURRICANE, FLOODING.
NHTSA complaint 10920074Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.