NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 203 owner complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet Corvette. Most complaints involve steering (87) and electrical system (25). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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 .
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Corvette model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 44 |
| 1997 | 153 |
| 1998 | 399 |
| 1999 | 308 |
| 2000 | 277 |
| 2001 | 203 |
| 2002 | 170 |
| 2003 | 112 |
| 2004 | 217 |
| 2005 | 538 |
| 2006 | 413 |
| 2007 | 386 |
| 2008 | 589 |
| 2009 | 152 |
| 2010 | 84 |
| 2011 | 85 |
| 2012 | 56 |
| 2013 | 82 |
| 2014 | 64 |
| 2015 | 65 |
| 2016 | 105 |
| 2017 | 257 |
| 2018 | 51 |
| 2019 | 148 |
| 2020 | 34 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 1 |
“My steering column lock has failed on my C5 Corvette. I understand that there was a previous recall for this, but I have been the owner of this car since 2001 and was never notified by mail of the recall by GM. When I contact GM, they indicate that the recall is expired and there is nothing that they can do. HELP!!!”
“RECALL NUMBER 04V060000 RECALL DATE 02/09/2004 COMPONENT STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE SUMMARY. STEERING LOCKED AT EXITING FREEWAY. THE FUEL SUPPLY SHUT OFF SO THE VEHICLE CANNOT MOVED. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE STEERED.”
“AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING OFF THE ENGINES STALLED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 600 MILES AND IT LOCKED UP AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A WARNING CHIME WOULD SOUND. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD ONLY MOVE SEVERAL FEET THEN THE FUEL WILL SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. OTHER PROBLEMS: THE LOCK CLYINDER WAS NOT READING WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED, THEN WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED, THE VEHICLE READ THEFT ATTEMPT AND LOCK OUT, A COLUMN LOCK MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH AND THERE WAS A RATTLE IN THE DRIVERS DOORS DUE TO DOOR SPERATION. *SC”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corvette Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,850 | 444 |
| Corvette Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 203 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (87), electrical system (25), engine and engine cooling (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Chevrolet Corvette at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).