1998 Chevrolet Corvette Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 5%of 399 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette, 5% of the 399 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving on a freeway and engine/power went down while driving. After stopping in the middle of the fastest lane in the freeway, I was able to restart the engine. This happened 3 times so far while owning this car. I could have been hit by the cars behind me but luckily all 3 times I was fine just unhappy drivers honking me from behind. Since the repair cost might be sky high, I am yet to bring my car to the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10592877, filed 2014-05, 220,000 miles“While backing out of the garage engine shut off. Consumer pulled key out of ignition, waited 10 seconds, and tried to restart vehicle. Dashboard lit up, and vehicle would not start. Consumer stated there was investigation ea02031 that explained the exact problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10038536, filed 2003-09, 26,000 miles“The rear welded flanges on the tail pipes on my 1998 Corvette both failed on my car causing increased heat and exhaust fumes to be pulled into the passenger compartment.”
NHTSA complaint #10159051, filed 2006-06“Im started my car, put it in drive and drove off. I noticed my steering wheel was locked. The engine died almost right away. I was going about 3 MPH. I restarted the engine several times trying to free the steering. Nothing worked. I had to back my car out of the street with no steering. The next morning the steering started working again. After talking to some Corvette club member, I found out that this is very common to happen on late model corvettes. Ref. In ea02-031”
NHTSA complaint #726887, filed 2000-08“The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the engine shut off. The service column lock warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. In addition, there was a malfunction with the passenger and driver's side seat belts. The vehicle has not been taken to an authorized dealer. The contact was displeased to know that his VIN was excluded from the recall that lists this same failure. The recall number was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10237005, filed 2008-08, 120,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10011733Jan 31, 2005700-900 rpm buzz moan rattle resonance noise on acceleration.
- 10012528Jun 1, 2004Exhaust intermediate pipe available for service.
- 10012600Apr 1, 2004Vehicle is difficult to fill with fuel or filling station pump shuts off before tank is full.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 16 | 3% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 5 | 6% |
| 2002 | 7 | 4% |
| 2001 | 25 | 12% |
| 2000 | 11 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 2% |
| 1998 | 20 | 5% |
| 1997 | 15 | 10% |
| 1996 | 2 | 5% |
| 1995 | 1 | 3% |
| 1993 | 2 | 9% |
| 1988 | 1 | 6% |
| 1981 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
215 complaintsBrakes
36 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsSeats
28 complaintsSeat belts
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology