Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 318 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 170 | 53% |
| Seat belts | 16 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 4% |
| Seats | 10 | 3% |
| Steering | 8 | 3% |
| Power train | 7 | 2% |
| Parking brake | 6 | 2% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 5 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering) in 2019. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the message "Ser
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Something is wrong where it will stall out when you start driving. Soon as I put the car in gear and start rolling forward it dies. And I’ve looked online and it’s quite common.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Almost every C5 (1997-2004) Corvette is affected by a faulty electronic brake control module. When this module fails, the car illuminates the ABS and traction control light. And displays service abs and service traction
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Still having a problem with the steering column locking on my 1999 Corvette after the first recall was performed. Chevrolet issued a second recall but I never received a notification. the dealer indicated both recalls
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Steering column lock warning light on vehicle which was recalled in 2004 and GM says my vehicle was not involved with recall and will not repair vehicle.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
MY CORVETTE AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS FROM 97-04 SUFFER FROM THE ACTIVE HANDLING ABS/TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM GOING BAD. THE PART IS KNOWN AS THE EBCM. WHEN IT GOES BAD (IF CRUISE IS ENGAGED) THE CAR WILL DISABLE CRUISE CONT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
AFTER PARKING AND TRYING TO RESTART THE ENGINE THE MESSAGE "STEERING COLUMN MAINTAINANCE NEEDED" THE ENGINE STARTED BUT WHEN I PUT IT IN GEAR THE ENGINE STOPPED. AFTER TRYING TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND AGAIN THE SAME RES
NHTSA complaint: Steering
FUEL LEAK FROM THE PASSENGER FUEL TANK. THIS IS CREATING A FUEL VAPOR SMELL INSIDE THE CAR AND THE GARAGE WHERE PARKED. THIS IS A FIRE AND SAFETY HAZARD!
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
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.
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
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LAP BELT WEBBING CAN TWIST ALLOWING THE WEBBING TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR.
Risk: WHEN THE BELT WEBBING BECOMES JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR, THE SEAT BELT MAY BE UNUSABLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL INSERTS TO THE BELT WEB GUIDE OF EACH LAP BELT RETRACTOR.
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
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 WIL
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 66 | good |
| Depreciation | 98 | excellent |
| Performance | 74 | good |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other sports & two-seaters in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 318 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 170 of them (53%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.