2000 Chevrolet Corvette Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2000 Chevrolet Corvette most often describe a steering column lock that fails to release when the car is started, leaving the wheel seized and requiring a tow; many report this recurring even after the recall repair was performed. The next most common themes are ABS/traction-control warning lights traced to an electronic brake control module that owners say is no longer available, and intermittent turn signals. Reported mileages span very low to well over 100,000, so the column lock complaints in particular appear across the life of the car rather than at one mileage point.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering column stays locked at start-up

   • 147 complaints (53%)
   • median 35,100 mi at 7.9 yrs old (92 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $837 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2026

   Owners describe the wheel refusing to turn after the engine is started, often with a "Service Steering Column Lock" or "Pull Key, Wait 10 Seconds" message on the driver information display. Several say the car can only creep a few feet, or shuts off when moved, until the column lock releases or the car is towed. Complaints frequently note that the car had already been serviced under the column-lock recall and the symptom returned; dealers variously replaced the lock actuator, column, harness, relay or body control module, and some owners report being told the work was not covered because the recall had already been performed. Reported from under 5,000 miles to over 140,000 miles, most commonly in the 20,000-60,000 mile range, and often noticed when starting the car after it has been parked.

   Recall 04V0600001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the column-lock recall was performed and whether any follow-up repair (actuator, harness, bypass module) was done afterwards, and keep records. Start the car several times from cold and confirm the wheel turns freely with no lock warning on the display.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Steering column locked up and had to have car towed to dealership to have fixed. They told me that this a very common problem with the 2000 corvettes. Don't know what it will take for GM to take care of the problem. I guess people will need to die first. I will never buy another Corvette!!!!!!!!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10081097, filed 2004-07, 26,528 miles

   “I own a 2000 Corvette with 15,000 miles and have twice within one day had my steering wheel not unlock upon starting the car. Went to a Corvette shop for help was told its a common problem with corvettes and that I should pull the steering wheel clockwise while inserting the key into the ignition, it worked. My question is there a permanent fix for this problem, I understand that it is a common problem concerning corvettes.”

   NHTSA complaint #10037580, filed 2003-09, 14,695 miles
2. 2
   Electronic stability control

   ABS and traction-control lights, EBCM unavailable

   • 32 complaints (12%)
   • median 55,320 mi at 12.8 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2021

   Owners report ABS, traction control and active handling warning lights coming on, sometimes followed by the system disabling itself. Several say a dealer or independent shop traced the fault to the electronic brake control module and told them the part is discontinued, with no repair option or replacement available. A few complaints describe braking or handling changes while the lights are on, including a wheel locking or the car pulling to one side. Spread from roughly 12,000 to 160,000 miles, with many reports in the 38,000-80,000 mile range.

   What to check: With the key on, confirm the ABS and traction-control lights go out after start-up. Ask whether the brake control module has ever been replaced or repaired, and check that the ABS and traction control actually function on a safe surface.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The ABS tcs system on my 2000 Corvette has malfunctioned. I've been told that this can't be repaired. After researching this seems to be a chronic problem on this vehicle. My Corvette only has 49000 miles on it and this is a serious safety issue involving control of the vehicle during an emergency braking condition, especially on wet roads.”

   NHTSA complaint #11386239, filed 2021-01, 49,000 miles

   “I experienced loss of control by skidding and almost leaving the road toward a dropoff while applying the brake since the ABS, active handling, traction control systems have been malfunctioning at 35mph on a mountain road applying the brake as I was going around a sharp curve I believe the cause of this malfunction of the ABS/ah system is a faulty ebcm which is known by countless members of the Corvette owners community as a safety issue that should have been recalled a long time ago. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11390943, filed 2021-02, 102,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Engine stalling or shutdown at low speed

   • 24 complaints (9%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 10.7 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2021

   Owners describe the engine quitting while driving at low speed, such as turning through an intersection, and in some cases the car restarting normally afterwards. Some complaints connect the shutdown to the column-lock system cutting fuel when the wheel lock message appears, while others report stalling without a clear diagnosis. Dealers are described as unable to reproduce or repair the concern in several cases. Reported from about 34,000 to 114,000 miles, often at low speed or while maneuvering.

   Recall 04V0600002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the car has ever cut out and whether the column-lock system has been serviced, since several owners tie the shutdown to that circuit. A test drive that includes slow turns and stops can reveal an idle or stalling problem.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “These c5 corvettes had a GM recall for the steering column locking up on it. I had the recall done. My car still has a steering column issue with it. The service steering column warning lights still come on intermittently and when they do, the car disables itself and will not go over 2 MPH and shuts the fuel pump off. I installed another temp fix called an lmc5 for it. I still get the pull key wait 10 seconds warning lights and service steering column. Gm did a temp fix and never fixed it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10692538, filed 2015-03, 45,000 miles

   “I read in the newspaper today that the government is taking action against general motors for the ignition key problem. I experienced a similar problem with my Corvette. The engine will shut off while in gear and in motion, disabling power steering, brakes and the ability to move the car out of the way. A message service steering column lock appears. The car has been recalled for this problem and has been repaired several times. This has been done long after the warranty expired at no cost to me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10765144, filed 2015-09, 58,000 miles
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Turn signals work only intermittently

   • 14 complaints (5%)
   • median 38,622 mi at 8.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2014

   Owners describe turn signals that sometimes do not operate at all, in either direction, and then start working again unpredictably. In some complaints the signals begin working when the hazard switch is wiggled, and owners point to the hazard flasher unit as the source. Several report repeat parts replacement without a lasting cure. Reported mostly under about 55,000 miles, at a wide range of ages.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test both turn signals and the hazards, including while wiggling the hazard switch, and check the operation of the brake and marker lights. Ask if the hazard flasher or turn signal switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Turn signals only work intermittently. We never know when they will stop working or start. Can't fix. Have owned this 2000 Corvette for 7 years now. We have had the turn signals replaced trying to correct the problem, over and over again, but they still will just only work intermittently. My husband is hard of hearing and he doesn't realize they are not working. I am worried about his safety. In addition, it has been very costly and frustrating to us to keep trying and trying to fix it with no avail.”

   NHTSA complaint #10206918, filed 2007-10, 17,000 miles

   “Turn signals intermittently fail due to faulty hazard warning flasher unit. Most, if not all states mandate the use of turn signals when turning or changing lanes. Failure of signals to operate when activated can lead to traffic citations, injuries and possibly death when others are not aware of your intentions.”

   NHTSA complaint #10128205, filed 2005-07, 39,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leaks around the EVAP system

   • 17 complaints (6%)
   • median 28,500 mi at 8.3 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2024

   Owners report a strong fuel odor in the garage or cabin, in some cases a visible puddle of fuel under the car after refueling, and a stored EVAP small-leak code. Others describe a fuel gauge reading that does not match the fuel actually in the tank. Complaints mention the sending unit being replaced and diagnostic work on the evaporative emissions system. Reported from about 5,000 to 160,000 miles, with several cases under 60,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask about any fuel or EVAP leak diagnosis and whether the fuel tank sending unit has been replaced. After a fill-up, check under the car for drips and note any fuel smell in the garage or cabin.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After fueling a car on gas station I can see a large puddle of gasoline under the car, also gasoline is dripping for a short time from the bottom of the car on the driver side. Later display show code 0442 (small leaking in evap system).”

   NHTSA complaint #10440252, filed 2011-12, 60,050 miles

   “The consumer noticed that the gas gauge indicated that it needed fuel. However, the vehicle had fuel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the sending unit needed to be replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10091512, filed 2004-09, 5,000 miles

Buying note. A 2000 Corvette can be a sound car, but the steering column lock and the discontinued brake control module are the two things to verify before purchase: confirm the recall work and any later repairs in writing, and check that the ABS and traction-control systems are working. A pre-purchase inspection by a shop familiar with the C5, including a scan for stored codes, is worth the cost.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.