2005 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Structure3
2. Steering2
3. Service brakes1

Latest complaints

• Dec 14, 2018WA63,104 mi
  Steering
  My question IS; I own a 2005 corvette C6 and have been having problems with my steering column which IS the tilt and telescoping. Such as not being able to start it. I am lucky that my brakes haven't locked up on me yet. During my research I found that you had began a safety recall on april 30…

  My question IS; I own a 2005 corvette C6 and have been having problems with my steering column which IS the tilt and telescoping. Such as not being able to start it. I am lucky that my brakes haven't locked up on me yet. During my research I found that you had began a safety recall on april 30, 2010, nhtsa 10v172000, regarding the tilt and telescoping steering wheel on my year and model of vehicle. I contacted my chevrolet dealership yesterday about this and scheduling to have them put in the bypass to column lock. I mentioned the safety recall and he told me that there was only one recall on my vehicle, lights. Why isn't my car approved for the safety recall of 2010, when she meets all of the criteria?

• Aug 26, 2017MI65,000 mi
  Steering

  The active handling appears while driving on a city street and it seems the wheel brake IS applied causing me to lose control of the car.

• May 5, 2015CA80,000 mi1 injury
  Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
  TL* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet corvette Z06. While driving approximately 40 mph, a loud popping noise was present. The locking mechanism for the roof top malfunctioned, causing the top to eject from the vehicle. During the incident, the passenger in the vehicle suffered a laceration to the…

  TL* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet corvette Z06. While driving approximately 40 mph, a loud popping noise was present. The locking mechanism for the roof top malfunctioned, causing the top to eject from the vehicle. During the incident, the passenger in the vehicle suffered a laceration to the face. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

• Jan 21, 2015CA90,000 miCrash
  Service brakes · Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
  TL* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet corvette Z06. While driving 30 mph, the hard top cover detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the active handling control for the brakes automatically engaged, which caused the vehicle to crash into a guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy. The…

  TL* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet corvette Z06. While driving 30 mph, the hard top cover detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the active handling control for the brakes automatically engaged, which caused the vehicle to crash into a guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. updated 4/13/15*cn updated 9/18/2017*cn

• Jan 19, 2011CA15,140 mi
  Structure
  TL* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet corvette Z06. The contact was driving at an unknown speed when the vehicle exhibited an unusual snapping noise from the roof. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was driven over uneven road surfaces. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the…

  TL* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet corvette Z06. The contact was driving at an unknown speed when the vehicle exhibited an unusual snapping noise from the roof. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was driven over uneven road surfaces. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was advised that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with nhtsa campaign ID number: 09v491000 (structure:body:roof and pillars). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 15,140.

Defect investigations

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.

• Simultaneous Loss of Low-Beam Headlights

  EA13007Opened Aug 23, 2013Closed Jun 24, 2014Recall 14V251000
  On May 14, 2014, General Motors (GM) submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating NHTSA Safety Recall 14V-251 to remedy the subject vehicles.GM will remedy a defect condition in the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC) by modifying the vehicle's electrical harnessing.GM also announced a customer…

  On May 14, 2014, General Motors (GM) submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating NHTSA Safety Recall 14V-251 to remedy the subject vehicles.GM will remedy a defect condition in the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC) by modifying the vehicle's electrical harnessing.GM also announced a customer satisfaction bulletin to address this issue on model year (MY) 2008-2013 Chevrolet Corvettes.Both programs will be conducted free of charge.According to GM, when the engine heats up and cools down (from normal use), the plastic material in the UBEC housing expands at a different rate than an electrical conductor routed within it.The difference in expansion rates results in bending of the conductor, a control circuit for the low beam headlights.After multiple thermal cycles, often taking several years of use, the conductor fractures resulting in an open circuit.When this occurs the low-beam headlights will not illuminate.After the engine is turned off and the UBEC cools, the conductor may temporarily reconnect and restore low-beam function, although subsequent failures will occur.This condition does not affect high-beam headlights, marker lamps, turn signals or fog lamps.Simultaneous loss of low-beam headlights could reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. The ODI report counts noted above, involving the loss of low beam headlights, represents those received at the time of GM's recall filing; however NHTSA has since received additional complaints.GM submitted similar complaints in response to the agency's information request.Among the complaints reported to NHTSA, five alleged minor crashes in which the vehicle ran off the road or into roadside objects due to the sudden loss of headlights.Two of these complaints alleged minor injuries and three alleged property damage.Several other reports to NHTSA alleged close calls due to the loss of lighting.GM states that it has received no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities as a result of this condition. GM's recall action appears to adequately address the safety risks in the subject vehicles of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.In addition to recalling the subject vehicles, GM is covering MY 2008-2013 Corvettes, which contain essentially the same UBEC, under a customer satisfaction campaign.ODI notes that these vehicles exhibit a lower likelihood of failure due to their comparatively shorter service life. The VOQs cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10400308, 10415603, 10415867, 10416531, 10421639, 10424391, 10424543, 10445971, 10451733, 10454919, 10460674, 10460750, 10463546, 10466342, 10466857, 10468128, 10469057, 10470616, 10471595, 10474350, 10474368, 10475257, 10486597, 10491670, 10496592, 10496788, 10498100, 10502059, 10505606, 10508507, 10510052, 10511467, 10511517, 10511576, 10511696, 10511699, 10511789, 10511837, 10511994, 10512072, 10512093, 10512154, 10512292, 10512341, 10512856, 10513422, 10514576, 10514802, 10514978, 10515162, 10515311, 10515821, 10519426, 10519879, 10520155, 10521036, 10521585, 10522260, 10523059, 10523064, 10523190, 10525646, 10531602, 10531631, 10532221, 10532439, 10533227, 10533251, 10533339, 10536835, 10537561, 10537612, 10538184, 10541749, 10542468, 10542540, 10542576, 10542708, 10542726, 10543187, 10543970, 10544083, 10544810, 10545441, 10545516, 10547343, 10547561, 10547600, 10548492, 10548588, 10548687, 10548982, 10549272, 10549487, 10550079, 10550260, 10551233, 10551867, 10551926, 10551978, 10552019, 10553258, 10554456, 10554573, 10556002, 10556433, 10556844, 10556984, 1

• Loss of Low Beam Headlights

  PE13013Opened May 6, 2013Closed Aug 26, 2013
  The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 30 reports from consumers alleging that, after driving for a short time (5 to 30 minutes), both low beam headlights stopped working simultaneously and without warning. The low beam headlights remained inoperative for the remainder of the…

  The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 30 reports from consumers alleging that, after driving for a short time (5 to 30 minutes), both low beam headlights stopped working simultaneously and without warning. The low beam headlights remained inoperative for the remainder of the drive cycle, however no other lighting is affected.General Motors (GM) provided information in response to ODI's information request letter explaining that the loss of headlights is caused by a fractured low beam circuit wire in the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC), a device that is similar to a fuse box. The UBEC is located in a high heat area near the engine, and the low beam circuit wire routing within the UBEC makes it susceptible to cyclical stress caused by thermal expansion.The investigation covers model years 2005-2007 Corvettes however ODI also has received four VOQs alleging the same condition in model year 2008 Corvettes. ODI is upgrading the investigation to an Engineering Analysis to further examine the consequences, frequency and scope of this problem. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers.For MY 2005-2007: 10400308, 10415603, 10415867, 10416531, 10421639, 10424391, 10424543, 10445971, 10451733, 10454919, 10460674, 10460750, 10463546, 10466342, 10466857, 10468128, 10469057, 10470616, 10471595, 10474350, 10474368, 10475257, 10486597, 10491670, 10496592, 10496788, 10498100, 10502059, 10505606, 10508507, 10510052, 10511467, 10511517, 10511576, 10511696, 10511699, 10511789, 10511837, 10511994, 10512072, 10512093, 10512154, 10512292, 10512341, 10513422, 10514802, 10514978, 10515162, 10515311, 10515821, 10519426, 10519879, 10520155, 10521036, 10521585, 10522260, 10523064, 10523190, 10525646, 10531602, 10531631, 10532439, 10533227, 10533251, 10533339For MY 2008: 10512856, 10514576, 10523059, 10532221

• Electronic Stability Control

  EA09002Opened Jan 14, 2009Closed May 11, 2010Recall 10V172000
  On April 26, 2010, at NHTSA's request following this investigation, General Motors submitted a Defect Information Report to NHTSA to correct a defect associated with the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system in approximately 40,000 Model Year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles (NHTSA Recall No.…

  On April 26, 2010, at NHTSA's request following this investigation, General Motors submitted a Defect Information Report to NHTSA to correct a defect associated with the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system in approximately 40,000 Model Year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles (NHTSA Recall No. 10V-172).According to the report, these vehicles may have a problem with the Steering Wheel Position Sensor (SWPS) connector created by a fretting condition in the connector (small movement of the pins back and forth creating a residue build up) which could change the electrical resistance and corrupt the information signal to the VSC computer.The VSC system uses the information from the SWPS to calculate the driver's intended vehicle direction; this information is cross referenced to sensors that tell the system which direction the vehicle is actually going and the system will, if it determines a variance indicating the vehicle is in a over-steer or under-steer condition, reduce throttle control and apply braking to make a correction in vehicle direction towards what the system believes is the driver's intended path.GM dealers will inspect the SWPS connector of recalled vehicles and, if necessary, install a terminal position assurance clip to the connector.GM has advised NHTSA that its position is that the inappropriate activations of the VSC system do not present an unreasonable risk to safety because GM believes that the activations are low in occurrence, a rare set of conditions would need to be present, the driver has the ability to maintain direction control if the alleged condition were to occur, and that there are no reports of injuries.NHTSA does not agree.Based on interviews with complainants and testing performed at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Testing Center in East Liberty, Ohio, ODI believes that the majority of the unwarranted activations of the VSC system occur when turning, in such scenarios as travelling highway entrance or exit ramps or in street traffic conditions.Complainants report the effect produced by the malfunction of the VSC system is sudden unexpected braking and in some cases a sudden unexpected change in vehicle direction which some complainants indicate was sufficient to cause a movement into an adjoining lane of traffic or in some cases into curbing or stationary objects.During the VSC event the brake lights of the Corvette are not illuminated, depriving trailing traffic from indication that braking is occurring and some complainants indicate the braking effect can be severe and last up to 10 seconds in length.Based on available information ODI counts four crashes due to a malfunction of the VSC system; GM is counting one crash due to the problem.In these circumstances NHTSA believes the defect presents an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety, and so advised GM when requesting this recall.This investigation is closed based on GM's recall.

• Electronic stability control malfunction

  PE08056Opened Sep 17, 2008Closed Jan 14, 2009
  On september 17, 2008, odi opened preliminary evaluation pe08-056 to investigate allegations of inappropriate activation of the electronic stability control (esc) system in model year (my) 2005 and 2006 chevrolet corvette vehicles.some reports received by odi and some reports to general motors (gm) contained in gm's…

  On september 17, 2008, odi opened preliminary evaluation pe08-056 to investigate allegations of inappropriate activation of the electronic stability control (esc) system in model year (my) 2005 and 2006 chevrolet corvette vehicles.some reports received by odi and some reports to general motors (gm) contained in gm's response to pe08-056 allege that the esc system malfunctioned causing a sudden and inappropriate braking action without illumination of the brake lights and causing the vehicle to swerve left or right unexpectedly. Gm issued a technical service bulletin in january 2006, later revised in october 2007 (bulletin no. 06-02-35-002B) concerning esc problems in my 2005 and 2006 chevrolet corvette vehicles with the telescoping steering wheel option.the bulletin was intended to correct a fretting corrosion problem with the steering wheel position sensor connector C202. An engineering analysis has been opened (ea09-002) to continue to asses the scope, frequency, and safety-related consequences of the alleged defect.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 11009461This service bulletin provides information on Characteristics of Wide Low Aspect Ratio Tires, Vehicle Pulls Left or Right, Wanders, Follows Depressions in Road Surface, Tramlining.
• 11008956This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only).
• 11007208This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
• 11007091This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
• 11006621Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
• 11006421GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
• 11004761This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
• 11004557This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
• 11002312This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
• 11001321This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
• 11000576This Warranty Administration bulletin provides retail and wholesale service personnel with the policies/procedures and the warranty transaction submission procedures that support the Personal Property Damage process.
• 11000162The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to identify them.
• 10252735This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
• 10252163XM Audio Traffic And Travel Link Availability And Operation.
• 10251890This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
• 10250775This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system.
• 10250347This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and explains the PQC process, GWM Transaction submission, vehicle service record retention and proper handling of assembly returns for Canadian Dealers only.
• 10249590This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
• 10249579This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
• 10249011This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
• 10248444Vehicle Recalls
• 10247716J-35616-64B Terminal Test Probe / Replacement Terminal / Terminated Lead.
• 10247681Information On Requests To Add OnStar Bluetooth Option.
• 10247552This service bulletin provides information on Concerns or Questions Regarding Installation of Dealer Installed Accessories.
• 10247063A/C Blows Warm Or Poor Performance.
• 10247061J-35616-64B Terminal Test Probe / Replacement Terminal / Terminated Lead.
• 10246952Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules.
• 10246951Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules.
• 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
• 10245951Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls And Turn By Turn Inoperative In The United States.
• 10245950Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls In The United States
• 10245545This service bulletin provides information on Characteristics of Wide Low Aspect Ratio Tires, Vehicle Pulls Left or Right, Wanders, Follows Depressions in Road Surface, Tramlining.
• 10245395This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
• 10244274This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement.
• 10244273This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
• 10244214This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
• 10244201This service bulletin provides information for dealers on how to submit a product information report (PIR) (Canada Only).
• 10244200This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only).
• 10242843The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
• 10242262This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement.

Every Chevrolet Corvette Z06 model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.