CHEVROLET CORVETTE · model year

2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE

191 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002CHEVROLETCORVETTE carries 191 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 CORVETTE is steering with 29 filings, followed by steering:column locking:anti-theft device (25) and wheels (22). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2002 CORVETTE, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

191
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

191 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING29
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE25
WHEELS22
WHEELS:RIM15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE9
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)7
STEERING:COLUMN6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM3
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM3

Recalls (3)

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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

04V06000009/02/2004

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

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

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

Recent Complaints

20250806STEERING

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.

Mileage: 51,491

20230301FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20230301ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

20230301POWER TRAIN

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

20200907STEERING

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?

Mileage: 68,000

20200225ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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

Mileage: 980,000

20200225STEERING

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

Mileage: 980,000

20200225EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

Mileage: 980,000

20190903EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

Mileage: 125,000

20190611STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). AFTER THE REPAIR, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED, INDICATING TO REMOVE THE KEY AFTER TEN SECONDS. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY PAPE CHEVROLET GEO (370 OAKWOOD RD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY, (631) 427-0900), BUT WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROBERT CHEVROLET (236 S BROADWAY, HICKSVILLE, NY 11801, (888) 619-7642) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REMEDY FAILED TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT SOLUTION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR 15 YEARS AGO SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED A PERMANENT REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA02031 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

Mileage: 22,000

20190422STEERING

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!!!

Mileage: 16,800

20181123WHEELS

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.

Mileage: 55,000

20180805STEERING

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 I

Mileage: 20,000

20171025STEERING

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 S

Mileage: 5,928

20170803STEERING

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.

Mileage: 75,000

20170601ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 30,000

20170601STEERING

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

Mileage: 30,000

20160911VISIBILITY/WIPER

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.

Mileage: 150,000

20160824STEERING

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.

Mileage: 73,500

20160713FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 54,462

Compare 2002CHEVROLETCORVETTE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE have?
The 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE has 191 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE?
Yes, the 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE?
The most-complained component for the 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE is STEERING with 29 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE and WHEELS.
Is the 2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.