1998 Chevrolet Corvette Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 5%of 399 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette, 5% of the 399 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Have had multiple issues with this car. Had a service column lock display. Took it in on a recall. They fixed it and 6 months later left me stranded again with same code. Charged me 1000 dollars to tell me the wheel lock broke. We all know that's not true. 2 weeks later have a service power train with numerous codes. Have to reset all codes to drive car. They come back with service traction control system and heater blows hot on one side and cold on other. Then next day it's the opposite. Unfortunately this is the only Corvette that I have had problems with and according to the reviews. …”
NHTSA complaint #10969843, filed 2017-04, 90,000 miles“On July 27, 2021, I was cruising in my 1998 Convertible Chevy maunal Corvette with under 50k miles. I had it inspected around the end of June. I just driving pulled ahead of traffic and the clutch pedal went all the way down to floor as I approached a stop light!!! I lost all power. I didn't know what to do, but a light bulb in my head went off. But thankfully there was no traffic and I was able to run a light and coast into a gas station and get towed. Upon research the 1998 manual clutch design is used in newer vehicles that and its a system design flaw. …”
NHTSA complaint #11427829, filed 2021-08“I find that the gears grind between shifts at either high speed or high RPM's. At the beginning only 5 gear had grinded now I find that gear 4 and 6 grind. The grinding occurs occurs as the RPM's approach 4,500 and higher. Also the gears also grind when speeds exceed 140km/h or 88 miles/h. I have already had 3 prior mechanical problems with my 6 speed transmission. The first was a transmission link failure. The second was a transmission leak. The third was a broken shifter. The vehicle was towed twice due to the incidents. …”
NHTSA complaint #723403, filed 2000-05“Automatic transmission shift cable fails without warning. Driver can shift from drive to park, cable will break, driver assumes car is in park but due to the break the car is still in drive and will remain in forward motion all the while the shifter indicates the car is in park. Spoke with chevy dealer mechanics and am told this is very common on 1997-2000 corvettes.....he says they do the repair on a regular basis. I had car towed to dealer for repairs. Repair cost was $345.00 including the parts.”
NHTSA complaint #10873358, filed 2016-06“Consumer was traveling about 70mph on highway without prior warning and vehicle decelerated to 20mph. He was able to pulll over to shoulder s to prevent an accident dealership mechanic told consumer that vehicle went into leap mode to protect engine. Problem is still exists.”
NHTSA complaint #883170, filed 2001-03Related service bulletins
- 10011219Aug 1, 2004Clutch pressure plate wear indicator adjustment.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 9% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 8 | 30% |
| 2022 | 5 | 24% |
| 2021 | 7 | 54% |
| 2020 | 6 | 18% |
| 2019 | 10 | 7% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 12 | 12% |
| 2015 | 18 | 28% |
| 2014 | 9 | 14% |
| 2013 | 3 | 4% |
| 2012 | 2 | 4% |
| 2011 | 11 | 13% |
| 2010 | 4 | 5% |
| 2009 | 6 | 4% |
| 2008 | 32 | 6% |
| 2007 | 51 | 15% |
| 2006 | 33 | 9% |
| 2005 | 70 | 13% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 11 | 13% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 2% |
| 2000 | 7 | 3% |
| 1999 | 12 | 4% |
| 1998 | 18 | 5% |
| 1997 | 3 | 2% |
| 1996 | 6 | 14% |
| 1995 | 3 | 9% |
| 1994 | 4 | 14% |
| 1993 | 3 | 14% |
| 1991 | 1 | 4% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 2 | 13% |
| 1988 | 2 | 13% |
| 1985 | 2 | 13% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
| 1981 | 3 | 50% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
215 complaintsBrakes
36 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsSeats
28 complaintsSeat belts
22 complaintsEngine cooling
20 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 30, 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