2003 Chevrolet Corvette

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 85 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 3 times.

Not among the Chevrolet Corvette years to avoid. Which Chevrolet Corvette years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
31,000 milesMedian miles at failure

66 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 10,000–20,000 miles.

Most common 2003 Chevrolet Corvette problems

23 of the 85 complaints (27%) are about the steering.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering18
300
Fuel/Propulsion System · fuel and propulsion system7
000
Electrical System6
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc) · stability control5
100
Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device4
100
Service Brakes · brakes4
000
Seat Belts3
201
Power Train › Manual Transmission · transmission3
000
Power Train · transmission3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine3
100

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. 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. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device04V060000
Filed Feb 9, 2004126,624 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE ECL UNLOCKS THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED SO THAT IF THE COLUMN FAILS TO UNLOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND THE CUSTOMER TRIES TO DRIVE, THE FUEL SUPPLY WILL BE SHUT OFF SO THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT MOVE WHEN THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE STEERED. IF VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, HOWEVER, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR AND THE VEHICLE CAN BE ACCELERATED WHILE THE STEERING SYSTEM IS LOCKED. ALSO WHEN THE CONTROL SYSTEM SHOWS THAT THE ECL IS UNLOCKED AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE LOCK PIN LOCATION CAN VARY. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE LOCK PLATE RELATIVE TO THE SWITCH TRANSITION POINT, THERE COULD THEN BE CONTACT BETWEEN THE LOCK PLATE AND PIN CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING .

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL DISABLE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK BY REMOVING THE COLUMN LOCK PLATE. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WILL LOCK BUT THE STEERING COLUMN WILL NOT LOCK. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, PERFORM A DIMENSIONAL CHECK OF THE COLUMN LOCK AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LOCK PLATE. THE STEERING COLUMN ON THESE VEHICLES WILL CONTINUE TO LOCK WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED. OWNER NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS OF 1997 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2004. OWNERS OF 1998 THROUGH 2004 VEHICLES (EXCEPT 1997-1998 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) WILL BE NOTIFIED BEGINNING ON AUGUST 2, 2004. THE REMAINING OWNERS (1997-1998 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) WILL BE NOTIFIED LATER IN 2004, WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Jul 17, 20265,111 milesIL

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while reversing from the driveway, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who replaced the relay and wiring harness kit. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 5,111.

Steering
Filed Jul 15, 2025PA

Vehicle was part of mandatory recall for problems with steering column lock. The same identified and inherent problem happened so that the steering column lock is engaged and will not disengage. GM was contacted and refuses support and stated that I would have to take care of the problem and I would have to pay for the cost of the repair. Chevrolet created the problem, is well aware of the inherent problem and yet Chevrolet and it's local dealer will profit from the forcing the customer to pay and for customers safety. The steering column can lock up while the vehicle is moving which puts the operator and others including vehicles, pedestrians and structures in harms way.

SteeringCrash
Filed Oct 28, 2022CA

Gm refuse to repurchase below is a overview. they are refusing engineering assitance to the dealership to fix the problem. Next week the car will be there a month again. This is the 7th time on this repair which was a recall by your org. The last repair last 153 days. This problem make the car unsafe to drive the dealer also agrees it is unsafe to drive. My car is back at the dealership for the same recall situation. The corvette has been rendered undrivable due to the number of recall repairs that have failed. They are again waiting for a GM engineer. A new case has been opened at the CEO’s office. It was submitted last year for repurchase they not to. The dealership says they should I agree. Gm decline yesterday to repurchase the car. The dealer ship feels it is unsafe to drive Saul Saldano who run the repair shop at Mission Bay chevy. Owned by his family Saldana auto group. When I emailed the CEO and she referred it to their exec team you can who I worked with to get an engineer on site at the dealership last year. I will describe more in my overview below. Overview: I purchased the car in 2013 black on black corvette convertible 6 speed on the floor fully loaded. The car worked perfectly until August 2011 that work order is attached. The dealer performed a recall repair on the steering harness and column lock. They left the lock nut for the steering column off it was found later under the driver’s side seat. The steering came off in my wife’s hands while driving on 4hth s

Steering
Filed Aug 17, 202056,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY CEASED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LATER UNLOCKED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER HALL CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 3412 WESTERN BRANCH BLVD, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23321, WHO DIAGNOSED THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK PLATE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCK PLATE WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 24, 2019AZ

A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN AREA AND IN THE TRUNK AFTER FILLING THE CORVETTE WITH GASOLINE. THE STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS AT IT'S STRONGEST SCENT WHEN THE DECK LID WAS OPEN. I STOOD ON THE REAR RIGHT OF THE CORVETTE WITH MY HEAD BARELY INSIDE THE TRUNK. SO BASICALLY REAR RIGHT SECTOR OF THE CORVETTE, JUST PASSED THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL. THE CORVETTE WAS PARKED ON A LEVEL CONCRETE PAD AT THE GAS STATION. I DID NOT OVERFILL. PUMP NOZZLE STOPPED. APPROXIMATELY 14.6 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS PUMPED INTO THE CORVETTE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 4, 201945,000 milesLA

MY CAR HAS 45,000 MILES. THERE IS A FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR. I ALWAYS FILL THE TANK FULL WHEN I PLAN ON NOT DRIVING IT FOR A WHILE. IF I LEAVE IT PARKED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND DON'T DRIVE IT, THE FUEL TANK WILL BE EMPTY WHEN I START IT UP. THE FUEL SMELL APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS. I WILL ONLY PARK THE VEHICLE IN OPEN AREAS AND WON'T PARK IT IN A GARAGE DUE TO FEAR OF BUILD UP OF GAS FUMES.

Steering
Filed Aug 23, 2019115,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING CEASED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING) BY AN UNKNOWN DEALER. AFTER THE RECENT FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FIVE STAR CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (495 WATSON BLVD, WARNER ROBINS, GA 31093, 478-273-8277) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER RECALL. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT SHE WOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL REPAIRS REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 26, 201942,000 milesNY

THE CAR HAS DEVELOPED A CONDITION WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILS TO UNLOCK THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. A MESSAGE APPEARS IN THE DIC DISPLAY TELLING YOU TO PULL THE KEY AND WAIT 10 SECONDS. IT SHUTS OFF THE FUEL SUPPLY IF YOU ATTEMPT TO DRIVE IT. CHEVROLET ACKNOWLEDGED THIS CONDITION EXISTED IN 2006 VIA A LETTER. THE CAR ONLY HAD A LITTLE OVER 5K MILES ON IT AT THE TIME AND NOW HAS ONLY 43K ON THE ODOMETER. PER MY PHONE CALL WITH THEM TODAY THEY FEEL THEY ARE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I HAD BACKED INTO THE ROAD AND THE CAR DIED LEAVING ME IN DIRE JEAPORDY. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO MAKE THEM HONOR THIS DEFECT IN THIS VERY EXPENSIVE AUTOMOBILE? NOTE....THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2018 INTERMITTENTLY.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 8, 201821,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE COLUMN LOCK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AT GREAT LAKES CHEVROLET (310 S CHESTNUT ST, JEFFERSON, OH), BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER THE RECALL AND ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WOULD BE THE CONTACT'S RESPONSIBILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 5, 201890,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER (FREEDOM CHEVROLET, 212 E 5TH ST S, BIG STONE GAP, VA 24219) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE ON THE RECALL LIST TO BE REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

Steering
Filed Nov 29, 201728,240 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK BYPASS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE CURRENT OWNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,240. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 18, 2017153,000 milesTX

I WAS BACKING OUT MY DRIVEWAY AND MY STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. I PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND STOPPED THE CAR BECAUSE I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. MYSELF AND A NEIGHBOR WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE COMPUTER GAVE THE MESSAGE ..STEERING COLUMN LOCK MESSAGE AND THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START ANYMORE...MEANING IT WOULD CRANK BUT JUST IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. THIS IS A RECALL SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND CHEVORLET IS AWARE RECALL NUMBER 4006 A, B, C AND SPECIAL PROVISION POLICY 05081.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 13, 201714,500 milesTX

I INHERITED MY FATHERS 2003 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE IN JANUARY OF 2017, I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT MUCH AND IT ONLY HAS 14000 MILES ON IT. I RECENTLY FILLED IT UP AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR LONG DRIVE. THE DAY AND WEEKS FOLLOWING MY GARAGE HAS SMELLED HEAVILY OF GAS FUMES. I RECENTLY BEGAN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THIS TOPIC AND FOUND THAT APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MODEL CORVETTE. THE ONLINE FORUMS I HAVE READ POINT OUT THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE WHILE DRIVING AS WELL AS CREATE A EXPLOSION HAZARD IN YOUR GARAGE. ONE EVEN SUGGESTED THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND NO SUCH RECALL. I AM FEARFUL THAT IF THIS PROBLEM IS A COMMON PROBLEM SOMEONE WILL OR MAY HAVE ALREADY DIED DUE TO THIS ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed May 6, 201741,324 milesKY

AGENCY INVOLVED: OTHER OTHER AGENCY, IF SPECIFIED: KY ATTORNEY GENERAL TYPES OF FRAUD: WASTE OR MISMANAGEMENT OF AGENCY FUNDS OR RESOURCES, CONTRACT OR PROCUREMENT FRAUD, EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT OR ABUSE OF AUTHORITY, ETHICS VIOLATIONS, BANK FRAUD OR OTHER FINANCIAL CRIMES CONCERNING BOARD OR CFPB-REGULATED INSTITUTIONS, OTHER - PLEASE SPECIFY: OTHER TYPE OF COMPLAINT, IF ANY: CROOKED DECEPTIVE CAR SALES NAME OF WRONGDOER: KY ATTORNEY GENERAL/ALLEN AUTO/PADUCAH FORD/ COUNTRY CHEVROLET LOCATION OF EVENT: KY EVENT DATES: 5/17/2016 TIL PRESENT SUMMARY OF ALLEGATION: JIMMY ALLEN, ALLEN AUTO SALES RUNS SEVERAL STATE DEALER CRIME RING,I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH CAR DAY ONE AND NO DEALERS WILL TOUCH IT THERE ARE SEVERAL DIAGNOSIS WITH PROVEN FACT WATER DAMAGE, HIRED ATTORNEY 2000.00 TO GET THIS CROOK TO BUY THE CAR BACK, DID NOTHING TO HELP ME, ANDREW ASBRIDGE LARRY STOVESAND, PADUCAH, COMMITTED ELDER ABUSE AGAINST MY 81 YEAR OLD FATHER HAVING HIM COME TO HIS DEALERSHIP TO COSIGN A LOAN FOR MY DAUGHTER,INSTEAD, CAR CAME BACK IN HIS NAME. SERVICE DEPT ERIC TOLD ME MILEAGES,DATES, NONE MATCHED, ODOMETER FRAUD. HE WAS THREATENED FOR TAKING TO ME! THEY KEPT MY CAR A MONTH WITH PERSONAL INFO IN IT,NOW I'M HAVING ID THEFT. IT SAT FOR 5 YEARS ON A LOT IN BOCA RATON, FLA, NO MILES,AND AFTER THIS ALL THE SYSTEMS WERE WORKED ON INDICATING IT HAD BEEN FLOODED.I WAS PROVIDED WITH A BOGUS AUTO CHECK THAT SHOWED NONE OF THIS,OR THE WRECK TO FRONT AND REAR! I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE DAY ONE! ALLEN BOUGHT TH

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 27, 201755,000 milesFL

THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (EBCM) P/N 10343433 ALL OF A SUDDEN FAILED. AS A RESULT THE DASH COMPUTER ERROR CODE C1214 FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL HAS BEEN COMING ON CONSTANTLY. MY WIFE HAS TO PRESS THE RESET BUTTON WHEN SHE PUT THE KEY IN, WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND WHEN IT IS SHUT OFF. THIS EBCM IS NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH ANY WEB SITE OR DEALER AND IS BACK ORDERED. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS FAILURE IS THAT IF YOU STEP TOO FIRMLY ON THE GAS PEDDLE, THE CAR WILL GO OUT OF CONTROL POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AGAIN WITHOUT THE EBCM, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ARE DISABLED. THIS IS A VERY GRAVE HAZARD SHOULD AN OWNER NOT BE AWARE OF WHAT HAPPENS IF THE EBCM MODULE FAILS. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED IMMEDIATELY.

Steering
Filed Apr 17, 20176,100 milesNM

THE STEERING LOCKING MECHANISM SEIZED AND LOCKED THE TIRES IN PLACE WHILE PARKING IT IN OUR DRUVEWAY MAKING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD OUR SPECIFIC CAR VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL FOR THE LOCKING FOR STEERING AND THEY WOULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITHOUT A CHARGE TO US.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 12, 2017KY

I BOUGHT THIS CORVETTE TO CELEBRATE THE DEFEAT OF BEAT CANCER. I DREAMED OF OWNING A CORVETTE SINCE I WAS 10 YEARS OLD, I'VE EXPERIENCED SO MUCH HEARTACHE, I FIGURED, I DON'T HAVE TOO MANY GOOD YEARS LEFT, I MIGHT AS WELL, GIVE MY DREAM A CHANCE, HA!! NO, INSTEAD IT HAS BEEN A NIGHT MARE, IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZIER THAN I WAS, ABOUT TO CAUSE ME A DIVORCE, HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE DAY ONE!! HAS BEEN WORKED ON NUMEROUS TIMES BY ALLEN, THE CROOK I BOUGHT IT FROM, A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DIDN'T WANT TO "GET INVOLVED", A DEALER IN OWENSBORO KY, WHO DIDN'T WANT ME TO DRIVE IT HOME FOR SAFETY REASONS, HOWEVER, THAT'S OVER 2 HOURS FROM HOME AND I HAD NO CHOICE, BUT, A TRUE GM DEALERSHIP, AND 1 OF THE BIGGEST GM DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA IN BENTON KY, TWICE, THE FIRST TIME WHEN I PICKED IT UP, I WENT STRAIGHT TO MY BANK PTFCU, AND IT DIED THERE AND I HAD TO HAVE A WRECKER TAKE IT BACK!! BUT MIKE REID AT COUNTRY CHEVROLET, AS WELL AS LARRY STOVESAND IN PADUCAH KY, BOTH, KNOW BEYOND THE SHADOW OF A DOUBT THAT THE CAR WAS WATER DAMAGE, ALL 3 DEALERS HAVE WITHHELD THAT DOCUMENTATION FROM ME, BUT MIKE REID DID TELL MY HUSBAND HE CAME OUT OF HIS OFFICE TO LOOK FOR HIMSELF AND YES, THERE WAS WATER DAMAGE. HOWEVER, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, THEY DON'T WANT TO "GET INVOLVED" !! JIMMY ALLEN HAS CAUSED ME ALLOT OF MONEY I DIDN'T HAVE BECAUSE A LAWYER TOOK MY MONEY, MAILED JIMMY ALLENS ATTORNEY BEFORE HE DID ME A LETTER SAYING I NO LONGER HAD REPRESENTATION, WHEN ALLEN WAS SUPPOSED TO BUY IT BACK MON

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 23, 201738,600 milesIA

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK. I DO NOT SEE ANY DRIPS OR PUDDLES, BUT THE ODOR IS VERY STRONG. I DO NOT NOTICE THE ODOR WHILE DRIVING. I CAN ONLY DETECT IT IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. I HAD THE CAR PARKED IN THE GARAGE THE DAY BEFORE WITH A NEARLY EMPTY TANK, AND THERE WAS NO ODOR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH LATER VIN 2003 CORVETTE AND ALL 2004 CORVETTES. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 23, 2017KY

TAKATA INFLATORS AND THE CAR DEALER WANTS MY CAR BACK BECAUSE HE IS SCARED HE IS FOUND OUT.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Crash
Filed Oct 30, 2016KY

THIS 03 CORVETTE HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE, I BOUGHT IT AFTER BEING MISLED AND DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AND NEVER GIVEN CORRECT VEHICLE REPORT, IT HAS AWKWARD GLITCHES IN LIGHTING, ALL EJECTOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, IT INDICATES WATER DAMAGE; HURRICANE, FLOODING.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 31, 201672,000 milesKY

THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS BECOME NON-FUNCTIONAL. THIS ELIMINATES THE SAFETY ASPECT OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKING, TRACTION CONTROL, ACTIVE HANDLING, AND ANTI-SKID CONTROL. CHEVROLET NO LONGER SUPPLIES THIS CRITICAL ELEMENT TO MY CAR'S SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE. THE DIGITAL INFORMATION DISPLAY CENTER FLASHES THAT THESE SAFETY ELEMENTS NEED SERVICING, WHICH IS ALSO A SAFETY IMPAIRMENT BECAUSE I CANNOT GET ANY DISPLAY OF OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR, I.E. MILEAGE, FUEL WARNING, OPTIONS, AND TRIP INFORMATION. THE PART NUMBER IS 10343433 (ABS CONTROL MODULE). THIS IS AN AC/DELCO NUMBER AND NONE ARE IN STOCK ANYWHERE IS THE UNITED STATES. I WAS TOLD BY MULTIPLE DEALERS THAT NONE ARE AVAILABLE AND GENERAL MOTORS WILL NO LONGER SUPPLY THIS CRITICAL SAFETY ITEM AGAIN! THIS IS A HORRIBLE SUPPORT SERVICE ON SOMETHING SO CRITICAL TO THE SAFETY OF A VERY EXPENSIVE AUTOMOBILE. THE RESPONSE BY GENERAL MOTORS IS SELFISH AND UNCARING. IF YOU TYPE ABS CONTROL MODULE FOR CORVETTE SERIES C5 IN GOOGLE, YOU WILL FIND AN UNLIMITED RESOURCE OF COMPLAINTS. I BELIEVE THIS WILL BE A SERIES OF ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN THAT WILL CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY AND DEATH ON OUR HIGHWAYS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND TAKE ACTION.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 10, 201645,000 milesWA

I WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH ON A FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT LEFT AND THEN RIGHT. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS STEERING ITS SELF. WHEN THE PITCHED IT WENT INTO THE LEFT LANE THEN THE RIGHT LANE. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR UNDER CONTROL BUT IT SCARED ME. IT WAS SO DRAMATIC I COULD HAVE HAD A VERY NASTY ACCIDENT INVOLVING MY DEATH OR THE OTHER DRIVERS AN THE FREEWAY..I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND PUT THE CAR INTO THE SLOW LANE AND BACKED SPEED DOWN TO 50. THE WEATHER WAS NOT AN ISSUE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 26, 2015106,996 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR PRESENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,996.

Steering
Filed Jul 29, 2015252,000 milesGA

I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN MIAMI, FLORIDA, I CHANGED LANES AND COULD NO LONGER CONTROL STEERING, CAR SEEM TO GO THE WAY IT WANTED TO. IT STEERED TO LEFT TO THE RIGHT BACK TO THE LEFT ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND I ENDED UP GOING SOUTHBOUND IN THE NORTHBOUND LANES. WITH THE HELP OF GOD I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, START IT UP AGAIN, BACK UP, TURN IT AROUND AND HEAD THE RIGHT WAY, WHICH WAS NORTHBOUND, CONSIDERING THE TRAFFIC ON I-95 I SHOULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY NUMEROUS CARS DURING THAT TIME, BUT WITH GOD'S HELP IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. I NOTICED ON DASHBOARD THAT IT STATED TO SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING. I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THIS SAME INCIDENT AND SOME RECALLS ALSO. MY LIFE COULD HAVE TAKEN DURING THIS INCIDENT. I HAD JUST PURCHASED 2 NEW FRONT TIRES AND 2 REAR SHOCKS FOR MY CAR BEFORE THIS HAPPENED ONLY 6 DAYS BEFORE, CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 5, 201515,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE COLUMN LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTAC'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

Steering
Filed Jun 4, 201531,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED, FAILED TO UNLOCK, AND THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 3, 201511,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE SERVICE COLUMN LACK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

Power Train
Filed Feb 6, 201512,000 milesTN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN FIRST GEAR, HE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY JUMPED OUT OF GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SERVICE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

Steering
Filed Sep 2, 2014NJ

2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK RECALL AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON JULY 13, 2005. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED IF THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, HE SHOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO PAY $619.48 TO HAVE THE WIRING HARNESS AND RELAY REPLACED, DUE TO THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKING UP. *JB

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 26, 201418,500 milesMA

THE PROBLEM STARTED AS A HIGHLY INTERMITTENT WARNING THAT THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ACTIVE HANDLING SUSPENSION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. IT WOULD USUALLY GO OFF BY SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT. COULDN'T LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THIS YEAR WHEN I TOOK THE CAR OUT IT RESET ONCE AND THEN STAYED ON. DIAGNOSED IT, GENERATED DTC ERROR CODE C1214, INDICATING A BAD POWER RELAY INSIDE THE ABS UNIT. THE CAR NOW HAS JUST OVER 40,000 MILES. TO ANSWER AN OBVIOUS QUESTION, YES THE PROBLEM DID OCCUR A FEW TIMES WHILE DRIVING BUT IT OCCURRED PRIMARILY WHEN STARTING THE CAR. SEARCHING THE INTERNET IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS A LARGE RANGE OF GM VEHICLES USING THIS SPECIFIC ABS SYSTEM MADE BY DELPHI. IT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT F THE ABS UNIT TO REPAIR. *TR

Steering › Column
Filed Aug 5, 201481,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE SERVICE STEERING COLUMN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 1, 201417,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE IGNITION SWITCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED A MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASH :SERVICE COLUMN LOCK" EACH THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO NOT BE CONCERNED. UPDATED 09/15/2014 *JS

Electrical System
Filed Jun 19, 2014IL

2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A YEAR AGO, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING. FOLLOWING THE DEMISE OF THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE ENTERED INTO A REDUCED POWER MODE. HE WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE VEHICLE, AND SLOWLY DROVE TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE ROOT CAUSE AS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. *JB

Seat BeltsCrash1 injured
Filed May 18, 2014120,000 milesMD

ON MARCH 28, 2014, I WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE WHEN I FAILED TO SEE THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. FOR ME THIS AMOUNTED TO A FRONT END COLLISION. THE FRONT OF THE CORVETTE WAS DAMAGED, BUT THAT WAS ALL. THE PIER AND ROOF WERE NOT DAMAGED. I HAD THE SEAT BELT PROPERLY FASTENED AND ON IMPACT THE SHOULDER STRAP DID NOT HOLD. I WAS THROWN OVER THE AIR BAG AND INTO THE WINDSHIELD ACTUALLY BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD WITH MY HEAD, WHICH CAUSED ME HEAD AND NECK INJURIES. ON IMPACT I SUSTAINED A FRACTURED CERVICAL SPINE, FOR WHICH I HAVE SUFFERED SEVERE PAIN AND MAY STILL HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY AT THIS POINT IN TIME. I HAVE LOST VALUABLE WORK TIME AND HAVE BEEN CONFINED TO THE HOUSE SINCE THEN. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE ROD THAT ACTUALLY IS STICKING OUT OF THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO HOLD THE HARDWARE SECURE. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS WHY THE SHOULDER STRAP DID NOT HOLD. I NOW HAVE TONS OF MEDICAL BILLS AND AM UNABLE TO WORK. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO MAKE THESE PICTURES AVAILABLE TO YOU. *JS

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 28, 201350,100 milesFL

AFTER FILLING MY GAS TANK I PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND UPON WAKING IN THE MORNING THERE WERE GAS FUMES IN THE GARAGE. I STOPPED AFTER THE FIRST CLICK SO THERE WAS NO OVERFILL SITUATION. THIS IS ALSO NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED BUT THE FIRST TIME I KNEW OF THIS FORUM. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 27, 201321,875 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 CHEVY CORVETTE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING" AND ABS ALERT CAME ON, NO PROBLEMS WITH DRIVING OR BRAKING WERE INITIALLY NOTED, SYSTEM WILL NOT RESET, AND I HAVE NOTED OCCASIONALLY WHILE BRAKING THE ABS DOES SEEMS TO ACTIVATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON DURING NORMAL BRAKING. IF I DEACTIVATE THE TRACTION CONTROL THE BRAKING ISSUE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AS RECURRING, BUT THE ALERTS CONTINUE ADVISING TO SERVICE BOTH SYSTEMS. TAKING THE CAR INTO MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT FROM MY RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE A RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH MANY CORVETTE OWNERS OF VARIOUS YEARS, POTENTIAL ISSUES HAVE BEEN CITED AS THE WIRE HARNESS IN THE TELESCOPING/TILT STEERING WHEEL AND/OR THE ELECTRONIC BRAKING CONTROL MODULE, (EBCM) ARE FAULTY. SOME HAVE REPORTED SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, HOWEVER I SUSPECT MANY HAVE NOT REPORTED THE PROBLEM AND/OR HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED IT YET BECAUSE ALOT OF VETTES ARE LOW MILEAGE. SEEMS THIS IS A SERIOUS CONSISTENT PROBLEM THAT WOULD TRIGGER A NATIONAL RECALL INORDER TO PREVENT FUTURE POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 3, 201210,300 milesGA

02 NOV 05 - STEERING COLUMN LOCKED; REPROGRAMMED AND REPAIRED UNDER FACTORY RECALL BULLETIN; CHARGED $17.96 FOR "SHOP SUPPLIES"; 10 APR 09 - STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AGAIN !; RELAY REPLACED; CHARGED $144.73 (PARTS & LABOR); 31 MAR 10 - STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AGAIN !!!; LOCK AND RELAY REPLACED; CHARGED $614.83 (PARTS & LABOR); 03 JUL 12 - STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AGAIN !!! (4TH TIME); RELAY REPLACED AGAIN !!!; CHARGED $245.00 (PARTS & LABOR). SUMMARY: FOUR ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT A "FACTORY RECALL" ISSUE AT A TOTAL CHARGE OF $1022.52 ! IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT A "FACTORY RECALL" IS COMPLETED AT NO COST, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS REQUIRED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I RESENT BEING CHARGED OVER $1000. FOR WHAT SUPPOSEDLY IS A FACTORY RECALL PROBLEM ... THAT APPARENTLY THE SERVICE TECHS HAVE NO CLUE ABOUT RESOLVING. YOUR RESPONSE, PLEASE. *JS

Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft DeviceCrash
Filed May 24, 201235,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED A SLIGHT TURN. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. SINCE HE HAD NO STEERING, SO HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND SOON AFTER, THE VEHICLE WENT FROM 25 MPH TO 60 MPH. HE HIT A CURB AND THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND LANDED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE DITCH. THREE TIRE WERE BLOWN OUT, THE FRAME WAS BENT AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. ALSO, THE BATTERY WOULD GO DEAD, IF THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED ON FIVE OCCASIONS. UPDATED 07/19/12

Steering
Filed Feb 22, 2012101,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 85 MPH, THE BRAKES WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V060000 (STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE) BUT DID NOT RECEIVE CONFIRMATION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES WITHIN A THIRTY MINUTE PERIOD. THE DEALER PLACED AN AIR FLOW SENSOR INTO THE VEHICLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

SteeringCrash
Filed Dec 29, 201156,592 milesCO

ACCIDENT ON 8/9/2008 FRONT IMPACT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN VIRGINA, 2/2/2011 ACCIDENT LEFT SIDE IMPACT HIT A CURB, AND AN OBJECT. 12/15/2011 CONSUMER BOUGHT. FOUND OUT THAT COOLING FAN HAS BEEN GLUED, COOLING FAN HAS BEEN WIRED WHICH MAKES THE FAN TO BE ALWAYS ON, AIR FILTER MISSING BOLTS, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND CAR GIVES ERROR MESSAGE AND THEN JUST STOPS, INFORMED DEALER AND THEY STATED JUST TO DOUBLE CLICK UNLOCK B/C IS JUST A SECURITY ISSUE. CAR WAS SOLD WITH BROKEN RACK AND PINION. DEALER STATED THAT IS WHY YOU BOUGHT A 18K CAR AND NOT A 60K CAR, YOU GET IT AS IS. THEY ARE USING A BBB AWARD AND ON WEBSITE THEY ARE RATED AND F. HAD ONE OF THEIR APPLICATION PROCESSORS CHECK THE CAR AND STATED EVERYTHING WAS FINE, HE DOES NOT HAVE CERTIFIED MECHANIC LICENSE AND WAS TOLD THAT ON 12/28/2011. MORE ISSUES... *KB

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed Aug 11, 201145,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ROOF DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FELL ONTO THE FREEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE HINGES WERE FAULTY AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET, THE CONTACT WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V181000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Mar 31, 201135,000 milesMO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED UP. AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHEN HE THEN CRASHED INTO A DITCH, WENT AIRBORNE AND LANDED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE ADVISED THAT A GM INVESTIGATOR WOULD COME AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THEY ARE WAITING THE OUTCOME, BUT IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. UPDATED06/07/11*LJ UPDATED 08/17/11

Steering
Filed Mar 22, 201118,700 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WOULD LOCK SPORADICALLY. AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V060000(STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE) AND AFTER HAVING THE RECALLED REPAIR PERFORMED TWICE, THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY CORRECTED THE ISSUE FOR THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PERFORM ANY FURTHER REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 18,700.

SeatsFire
Filed Feb 4, 201158,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER OPENING THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AND THE CARPET WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. HE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CONTACTED AND WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

Seat BeltsCrash1 killed
Filed Jan 27, 201153,000 milesHI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A ROAD SIGN. THE FUEL TANK HIT THE CURB AND BEGAN LEAKING WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BURST INTO FLAMES. THE SEATBELT LOCKED AND THE DRIVER COULD NOT GET OUT AND HE DIED AS A RESULT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR DISCOVERED THAT THE PIN IN THE SEATBELT JAMMED WHICH CAUSED THE SEATBELT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 7, 201070,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 TO 60 MPH, AN UNINTENDED BRAKING ENGAGEMENT OCCURRED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND PROGRESSED TO WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 12, 201030,089 milesIN

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 CORVETTEZ06 DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON VACATION, IT BROKE A VALVE SPRING, THE ENGINE THEN TOTALLY SELF DESTRUCTED, RUINING EVEN THE BLOCK. GM DENIED ANY HELP BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY TIME WISE. IT HAD ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEFECTIVE SPRINGS ARE A KNOWN DEFECT ON 02,03 YEAR Z06S. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed May 6, 201032,200 milesFL

2003 CORVETTE Z-06 HAD DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT ( UNABLE TO CLICK IT IN) CAUSING SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO AIR BAGS ON CAR AND IT IS ILLEGAL TO OPERATE VEHICLE IN FLORIDA WITHOUT WORKING SEAT BELT. WHEN ATTEMPTED TO GET REPLACEMENT, WAS TOLD THIS WAS ON BACK ORDER WITH 4 PEOPLE AHEAD OF ME WAITING FOR THIS PART. UNABLE TO FIND REPLACEMENT THROUGH CHEVROLET OR GM. IT TOOK NEARLY 3 WEEKS TO OBTAIN A REPLACEMENT AND WAS UNABLE TO USE CAR FOR THIS TIME. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 9, 201031,718 milesCA

I FILLED MY CAR UP WITH GAS YESTERDAY. WHEN I GOT HOME AND PARKED THE CAR, I STILL NOTICED A DISTINCT ODOR OF GASOLINE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 16, 201024,000 milesTX

STARTED WITH GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM 03 CORVETTE. TOOK TO DEALER AND FOUND OUT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ONE OF THE 2 GAS TANKS. UNABLE TO KNOW FOR SURE WITHOUT DROPPING THE WHOLE DRIVE TRAIN. THIS WAS DONE AND THE PLASTIC GAS TANK HAD DEVELOPED A LEAK. WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A FLAW WITH SOME PRODUCTION CORVETTES. A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR BUT ONE THAT MUST BE DONE. CANNOT HAVE GAS VAPORS ESCAPING INTO THE AIR OR CONFINED IN A GARAGE. I HAVE ALREADY HAD 1 HOUSE FIRE, DON'T NEED ANOTHER ONE. IF GM KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THEY SHOULD HAVE FIXED IT. BUYERS SHOULD NOT BE PUT IN HARMS WAY. *TR

Complaints 1-50 of 85, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202511310Routine
202421210Routine
202327131Fatalities reported
202221100Routine
202113200Routine
202034400Routine
2019148100Routine
201851100Routine
2017257400Above average
2016105210Routine
201565500Routine
201463511Fatalities reported
201382000Routine
201256100Routine
201185110Routine
201084000Routine
2009151010Routine
2008541020Above average
2007341240Above average
2006365520Above average
2005533660Above average
2004217410Above average
2003 — this page85311Fatalities reported
2002157300Routine
2001205330Above average
2000278400Above average
1999308431Fatalities reported
1998399410Above average
1997153700Routine
199644140Routine
199532120Routine
199429110Routine
199322200Routine
19927210Routine
199124310Routine
199034400Routine

Compare every Corvette year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.