The Lemon Index
200120035th generation (C5)
41 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
- Engine stalling8 complaintsmostly at 30,000–71,000 miles (49,000–114,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 29,000 miles (8,000–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 41 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E025000 (lights), 09E012000 (lights) and 04V060000 (steering) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Chevy sent dealers 430 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Special policy adjustment-electronic column lock system”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 41 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 29K miles (8K to 47K km) on the car (23 of all 41 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The steering column on my 2002 Chevrolet Corvette z06 would not unlock.
2002 Chevrolet Corvette owner · NHTSA complaint 10038758
More owner reports
Steering column lockup on 2002 Chevrolet Corvette, a model year not covered under current tsb/recall campaign.
NHTSA complaint 10036856
Steering wheel interlock problems (again after recall).
NHTSA complaint 10136845
Fixes owners look up most.
From 195 YouTube videos · 28.7M views · 1997–2004 Chevrolet Corvette
What owners say one repair costs on YouTube
- Brakesone repair, as owners say it$264most $160–$500 · 7 videos▶ Hear it
- Tiresone repair, as owners say it$1,750most $600–$2,400 · 6 videos▶ Hear it
- Water pump / coolingone repair, as owners say it$150most $50–$600 · 5 videos▶ Hear it
- Oil changeone repair, as owners say it$75most $45–$200 · 5 videos▶ Hear it
- Oil leak repairone repair, as owners say it$50most $22–$500 · 5 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service383K views
C5 Corvette TPMS ResetSpinolio · 259K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter330K views
2002 Chevy Corvette clutch replacementDave's Auto Center · 289K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door134K views
C5 Corvette A/C IssuesMy Corvette Life · 69K views · 2 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring67K views
ONCE AND FOR ALL C5 CORVETTE FUEL GAUGE FIX!VetOnVettes757 · 39K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Timing chain & engine50K views
How to install C5 Corvette Sun Visors - Step-by-step GuideC&S Corvettes · 50K views - No-start: theft light, key & ignition45K views
Cleaning C5 Corvette Ground Points/NegativesiDriveDaily · 45K views - Intake, EGR & engine sensors37K views
Corvette C5 wheel speed sensor issues by froggyfroggy · 37K views - Brakes & ABS34K views
C5 Corvette Common Failure! EBCM Module Repair!! ABS/Traction Control Dash Light! Auction Car Reconditioning · 34K views
Before you buy, watch
C5 Corvette Buyers Guide (Get Informed - Then Purchase!)Toys4Life C5 · 404K views
C5 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Which years are the BEST?C&S Corvettes · 220K views
Common Problems with the C5 Corvette - Know This Before Buying!Brendan Buchler · 157K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2002 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 430 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Special policy adjustment-electronic column lock system
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
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.
- Steering · recall issued 2004
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Corvette recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedSteering column lockup2002–2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,750–$3,950 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.7L 8-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Corvette year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 3 older years (1997–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 22 Chevrolet Corvette years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-corvette/?y=2002" title="Chevrolet Corvette reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="629" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-corvette/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Chevrolet Corvette reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 124; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Corvette year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2021.
What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Corvette problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (46%), electrical (17%) and brakes (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette have?
3 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Corvette problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 29,000 miles (8,000–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 41 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 to $3,950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette have?
5.7L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Corvette year is better than the 2002?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2021 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works