Chevrolet · Corvette · 2002
3
Recalls
157
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2002 Chevrolet Corvette has 3 recalls and 157 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: steering (49 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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 .
Remedy Status
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.
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while driving 5-10 MPH, the steering wheel locked-up, and the vehicle continued to drive in a circle. The steering column warning light was illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering), and the dealer determined that the electronic steering column lock replacement was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The contact was referred to the dealer for financial assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 51,491.
The ignition key started the car but the car continued to stall out when the clutch was released failing to propel the car leaving me stranded with a running(ideling) but non functional vehicle.I could not move the vehicle and it was subject to traffic crash. I need to have the vehicle retrieved by the dealer for repait. It is non-operable. There weree no warnings to me on the vehicle that the p roblem existed
STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AFTER PARKING IT AFTER WORK. THE RECALL ON ALL OTHER VEHICLES MY YEAR THAT HAS BEEN FIXED BY THE FACTORY HAS A WIRE RAN TO THE PCM ARE COMPUTER NOT SURE WHAT THEY ARE CALLING IT. BUT THE FIX WILL NOT LET THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK. AND I HAVE WATCHED A LOT OF YOUTUBE VIDEOS ON THIS IN ALL OF THE FACTORY FIXED RECALLS THE STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T LOCK. FROM WHAT I SEE IT TELLS ME THAT THE FIX IS COMPLETE. IT IS A 2002 WITH ONLY 68000 MILES. ANY HELP PLEASE?
I BOUGHT CAR OFF INTERNET NOT SURE IF ANY RECALLS HAVE BEEN DONE TRACTION CONTROLS SERVICE ABS STABILITY CONTROLS LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF TOLD THAT PARTS ARE DISCONTINUED YOU MAY REACH ME AT [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
DRIVING TO WORK (IN THE DARK) THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. PULLED THE CAR OVER AND TURNED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH TO ON AND THEY STARTED WORKING (WAS IN AUTO SENSOR MODE). NEXT DAY WHEN I WAS LEAVING THE HOUSE I TURNED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH ON, HEADLIGHTS POPPED UP BUT DID NOT COME ON. I COULD TURN THEM TO HIGH BEAM AND THEY WORKED BUT NOT ON LOW. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AND SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAM SEVERAL TIMES, THE LOW BEAMS STARTED WORKING AGAIN.
I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL NOTICES FROM AUTO NATION CHEVROLET DORAL FLORIDA TO BRING MY CAR IN FOR RECALL GM 04006. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THEM FOR THE RECALL, I WAS TOLD "THE PARTS REQUIRED FOR THE RECALL ARE NO LONGER MADE". I JUST RECEIVED ANOTHER NOTICE FROM THEM. THEY SHOULD EITHER MAKE THE PARTS OR COME TO ANOTHER RESOLUTION . I MEANWHILE CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. HELP!!!
BACKING UP FROM A PRIVATE PARKING PLACE I ALMOST CRASHED DUE TO THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED ON ME. I TRIED TO FREE IT BUT IT WOULDN'T RELEASE. THE CAR COMPUTER INDICATED I SHOULD REMOVE KEY FOR 10 SECONDS AND REINSERT TO FREE THE LOCKED STEERING WHEEL, NO SUCCESS. HAD CAR TOWED TO THE CHEVY DEALER FOR A FIX. DEALER SAID THEIR WAS A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT BACK IN 2004. DEALER RECORDS INDICATE THAT I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL BUT I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT THE RECALL WAS FOR. NONETHELESS, I HAVE NO RECORDS EXPLAINING WHAT WAS SPECIFICALLY DONE AT THAT TIME ON THE RECALL. THE DEALER ALSO HAS NO SPECIFIC RECORDS ON THAT RECALL. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE DEALER HERE IN PAHRUMP NV FIXED THE PROBLEM AND SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A COMPUTER DEFECT CAUSING THE ANTI THEFT PLATE TO LOCK THE STEERING PLATE. THEY REMOVE THE STEERING PLATE AND INSTALL A HARNESS KIT AND LOCK PLATE ELIMINATOR AND CHARGED ME $199.60 . I UNDERSTAND THAT RECALL DON'T EXPIRED, WHETHER THEY HAVEN'T BEEN PERFORMED OR IMPROPERLY REPAIRED. I OBJECT TO BEING CHARGED FOR A DEFECT THAT GMC INTERDUCE. THIS DEFECT IS DANGERIOUS. CLEARLY GMC DID NOT THINK OUT THE COMPARATIVE RISK OF A COMPUTER FAILURE CAUSING THE LOCKING PLATE TO DISENGAGE CAUSING THE CAR TO BE STOLEN; OR CAUSING THE PLATE TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING THE CAR INTO A DEADLY EVENT.
NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION COMING FROM REAR OF CAR WHEN DRIVING ON A PAVED SMOOTH ROAD AT 65 MPH. UPON LATER INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED A 2" LONG CRACKED LR WHEEL THE CRACK IS LOCATED AT THE BASE OF ONE OF 5 SLENDER SPOKES WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE BARREL OF THE WHEEL. ANY RETAILER WHO LISTS THIS 18" FORGED ALUMINUM WHEEL IS OUT OF STOCK AS THIS UPGRADED WHEEL WAS UNDER-DESIGNED FOR THE LOADING THAT HAPPENS TO A HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE C5 CORVETTES AND COULD RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT AT HIGH INTERSTATE SPEEDS.
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A STEERING COLUM LOCK RECALL, THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE BEFORE I TOOK IT IN. ONCE I GOT THE CAR BACK TO MY HOUSE, TWO DAYS LATER THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE IN GEAR AND HAS NOT UNLOCKED TO THIS DAY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP (WHICH WAS PENSKE CHEVROLET) AND SPOKE TO JOHN WHO TOLD ME "WELL WE ALREADY DID THE RECALL SO IT MUST'VE BEEN A PART OR SOMETHING ELSE". I WAS FURIOUS AND EXPLAINED THAT I'M NOT GOING TO PAY FOR SOME PART FOR THE SAME THING THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN FIXED. I COULD SEE IF MAYBE THEY FOUND SOME PART UNRELATABLE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT NOT THE EXACT SAME THING THAT WAS FOR THE RECALL!! WHAT IF THE WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME WITH MY SON IN THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY OR SOMETHING? I DON'T KNOW IF THE DEALERSHIP IS JUST TRYING TO GET MONEY OUT OF CUSTOMERS LIKE THIS OR WHAT, BUT THE CAR ONLY HAS 6 MILES ON IT SINCE I TOOK IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT DAY. SO WITHIN THAT SIX MILES IT HAS BEEN LOCKED AND HASN'T UNLOCKED. I JUST SIMPLY WANT MY CAR TO BE SAFE TO DRIVE. ANY HELP YOU GUYS COULD GIVE ME I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. THANK YOU.
WARNING LIGHT OCCURRED ONCE I TRIED WHAT WAS SAID, REMOVE KEY & WAIT 10 SECONDS, DID THIS NUMEROUS TIMES TO NO AVAIL. TRIED TO MOVE CAR ONCE IT HIT 1 MILE PER CAR STALLS. UPON READING MANUAL SAYS IF DOESN'T UNLOCK GAS FLOW IS SHUT OFF & STALLS. CHECKED THE VIN # AGAINST THE RECALL LIST & MY CAR NOT LISTED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE COLUMN LOCK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO DETERMINE IF A DEALER COULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 07/18/17*LJ THE CONSUMER SAID THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. UPDATED 08/15/2017*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500.
PLASTIC FITTING ON COWL FOR RH WINDSHIELD WASHER BROKE AND DISABLED WASHER. ONLY SOURCE FOR THIS PART IS A USED ONE FROM A SALVAGE OPERATION. GM SHOULD SELL SAFETY RELATED PARTS, ESPECIALLY PLASTIC ONES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO AGING AND BREAKAGE.
BRAKES FAILED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE. AFTER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THE BRAKE LINE TO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL DEVELOPED A HOLE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINE.
CAR HAS FUEL LEAK. ONCE I TURN ON THE CAR IT STARTS LEAKING GAS. I COULD BE STATIONARY OR IN MOTION, IT STILL LEAKS GAS. IT ALSO SMELLS TERRIBLE INSIDE MY CAR. I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY HEALTH AND OTHER CORVETTE OWNERS. SOME CORVETTE OWNERS MAY NOT EVEN NOTICE AND NEXT THING YOU KNOW THERE CAR IS ON FIRE. WORSE CASE SCENARIO THEY COULD BE INJURED OR EVEN DEATH. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND GM SHOULD RECALL THIS. IM LUCKY TO BE EVEN WRITING THIS I COULD'VE BLOWN UP WHILE DRIVING THE CAR.
AFTER FUELING VEHICLE AND PARKING IN GARAGE THE VEHICLE FOR DAYS WILL SMELL VERY STRONGLY OF GASOLINE UNTIL GALLONS ARE CONSUMED VIA DRIVING TO APPROX. 3/4 OF TANK. VEHICLE IS NOT OVER FILLED ! NO VISUAL INDICATIONS OF FUEL LEAKING ON GROUND. THIS ALSO HAPPENED SINCE ON JULY 12, 2016 LAST TIME VEHICLE WAS FUELED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
THE PLASTIC PIECE ATTACHING THE HEADLIGHT VERTICAL ADJUSTING MECHANISM TO THE HEAQDLIGHT FRAME BROKE AND FELL OFF, CAUSING LARGE SHIFTS IN THE HEADLIGHT AIM DUE TO ROAD IRRREGULARITIES. CHEVROLET DOES NOT MAKE AVAILABLE DETAIL PARTS OF THIS RATHER COMPLICATED MECHANISM, MAKING IT NECESSARY TO BUY A COMPLETE RETRACTABLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR $1,000+. THIS DISCOURAGES PROPER REPAIR OF THIS SAFETY RELATED ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 17 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE SERVICE STEERING COLUMN, PULL KEY, AND WAIT 10 SECONDS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCK PLATE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN FOR AN ELECTRONIC BYPASS HARNESS TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,472.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE COLUMN LOCK AND SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERVICE COLUMN LOCK AND SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE CONTACT OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2002 Chevrolet Corvette has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 157 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette are steering (49 reports), wheels (32 reports), fuel system, gasoline (7 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.