Complaints
466
Crashes
16
Fires
1
Injuries
7
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#182 complaints
Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device
Avg mileage:54,001 mi
Crash-related:2
#280 complaints
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Crash-related:1
#337 complaints
Steering Defects
Avg mileage:54,689 mi
Crash-related:1
Considering a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device | 82 | 2 | — | 54,001 mi | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 80 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 37 | 1 | — | 54,689 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 23 | — | — | 31,069 mi | |
| Steering:Column | 15 | 1 | — | 36,406 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 13 | 1 | — | 62,082 mi | |
| Brakes | 11 | — | 1 | 94,231 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 7 | — | — | 49,284 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 7 | — | — | 77,500 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | 2 | — | 100,500 mi | |
| Equipment:Electrical | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 | — | — | 73,000 mi | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | — | — | 93,667 mi | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust | 5 | — | — | 26,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 3 | — | — | — |
Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device
82
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,001
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
80
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
37
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,689
Seat-Related Issues
23
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
31,069
Steering:Column
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
36,406
Electrical Faults
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
62,082
Brakes
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
94,231
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
49,284
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,500
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,500
Equipment:Electrical
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,000
Parking Brake:Conventional
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,667
Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
26,000
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Corvette Years
1998 Chevrolet Corvette — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 1998 Chevrolet Corvette has 466 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device with 82 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette?
Top reported problems: Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device (82 complaints, avg 54,001 mi); Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar (80 complaints); Steering Defects (37 complaints, avg 54,689 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 55,807 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette include 16 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 1998 Chevrolet Corvette shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Corvette reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99