The 2003 Chevrolet Corvette has 3 safety recalls and 85 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (34 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints85filed by owners
Crashes · fires9 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 1reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 09E025000 · May 11, 2009 · 42,540 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device
NHTSA recall 04V060000 · Feb 9, 2004 · 126,624 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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 .
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2003 Chevrolet Corvette 2-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Corvette
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
Corvette
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
Electrical system 12v/24v/48v battery; Instrument cluster/panel
15
2
0
0
21,000 mi
Power train Manual transmission; Automatic transmission
11
1
0
0
1,625 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)
10
1
0
0
40,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
8
0
0
0
45,000 mi
Structure Body; Body › Roof and pillars
6
2
0
0
41,324 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine
5
2
0
0
32,044 mi
Suspension Front › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › Leaf
4
0
0
0
12,250 mi
Seat belts Front
4
2
0
1
42,600 mi
Service brakes
4
0
0
0
55,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
3
0
0
0
55,200 mi
Air bags Frontal
3
2
0
0
35,000 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 7, 2026 · 5,111 milesSteering 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.
Jul 1, 2025Steering Vehicle 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.
Dec 15, 2011 · crashSteering Gm 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 CEOâs office. It was submitted last year for repurchase they not to. The dealership says they should I…
Aug 1, 2020 · 56,000 milesSteering TL* 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.
Oct 24, 2019Fuel/propulsion system A 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.
Sep 3, 2019 · 45,000 milesFuel/propulsion system MY 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.
Jul 15, 2019 · 115,000 milesSteering TL* 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…
Jan 29, 2019 · 42,000 milesEngine THE 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA02031 · opened Nov 15, 2002 · closed Mar 11, 2004 · led to recall 04V060000STEERING 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 VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED CONCERNS WITH POST-REPAIR FAILURES IN VEHICLES SERVICED THROUGH THE CAMPAIGNS, AS WELL AS, FAILURES IN MY 1997-2003 SUBJECT VEHICLES NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGNS.(NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER FAILURE DATA ABOVE IS LIMITED TO MY 1997-2003 VEHICLES THROUGH 10/17/2003.)ON FEBRUARY 6, 2004, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 1997-2004 CORVETTE VEHCLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND MY 1997-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC…