2006 Chevrolet Corvette

Above average

Owners filed 365 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the exterior lighting. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
37,500 milesMedian miles at failure

304 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel/Propulsion System48
000
Exterior Lighting43
201
Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars39
101
Electronic Stability Control (esc)31
302
Electrical System31
000
Steering25
201
Power Train25
100
Engine22
100
Service Brakes18
000
Air Bags13
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights14V251000
Filed May 14, 2014103,158 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles manufactured March 29, 2004, through June 22, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC) housing can expand and cause the headlamp low beam relay control circuit wire to bend. If the wire is repeatedly bent, it may fracture causing a loss of low beam headlamp illumination.

Risk. The loss of low beam headlamp illumination will decrease the driver's visibility, as well as the vehicle's conspicuity to other motorists, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a jumper wire to correct this condition, free of charge. The recall began January 2, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 13146. Note: Model year 2008-2013 Chevrolet Corvettes will be covered under customer satisfaction program number 14203 for the same issue.

Steering › Column10V172000
Filed Apr 26, 201040,028 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 2004 AND JANUARY 2006 EQUIPPED WITH A TILT AND TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN (RPO N37). IN RARE CASES, REPEATED MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN MAY CAUSE A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION WITHIN THE COLUMN. IF THIS OCCURS, THE MESSAGE, "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM" WILL APPEAR IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER, AND ONE OR MORE OF THE BRAKES MAY APPLY, POSSIBLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT.

Risk. IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE CHANGE IN VEHICLE MOVEMENT, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars09V491000
Filed Dec 23, 200922,090 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2007 CORVETTE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A REMOVABLE ROOF AND MODEL YEAR 2006 AND 2007 CORVETTE Z06 VEHICLES. THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE ROOF PANEL AND THE FRAME MAY SEPARATE. IF THERE IS A PARTIAL SEPARATION, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE ONE OR MORE SYMPTOMS, SUCH AS A SNAPPING NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS, WIND NOISE, POOR ROOF PANEL FIT, ROOF PANEL MOVEMENT/BOUNCE WHEN A DOOR OR HATCH IS CLOSED, OR A WATER LEAK IN THE HEADLINER.

Risk. IF THERE IS A COMPLETE SEPARATION, THE ROOF PANEL MAY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD STRIKE A FOLLOWING VEHICLE AND CAUSE INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN ROOF PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars06V181000
Filed May 24, 200630,793 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN 2005-2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTES EQUIPPED WITH PAINTED ROOFS, THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE ROOF PANEL AND THE FRAME MAY SEPARATE.

Risk. IF THERE IS A COMPLETE SEPARATION, THE ROOF PANEL MAY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT COULD STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSE INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE FOR POTENTIAL ROOF PANEL-TO- FRAME SEPARATION AND ADD THE SPECIFIED ADHESIVE FOAM OR REPLACE THE ROOF WITH ONE HAVING ADHESIVE FOAM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections05V455000
Filed Oct 5, 2005123,592 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.

Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE TO SPRAY ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure
Filed Dec 2, 2025NJ

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V491000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the contact was informed that the recall part was no longer available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the part had been discontinued. The contact was advised to purchase the part from a junkyard or to order an entire roof from the dealer at his expense. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 13, 2025OH

2006 Corvette convertible. Has a strong gas smell after filling up. I understand this is a common problem, but Chevrolet will not acknowledge it. The gas can drip down on the hot exhaust system, and start a fire, burning down our house, or out on the road with us in it! Please help us get this deadly problem resolved, with little expense heaped upon us. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 25, 2025VA

Strong fuel smell coming from the vehicle after fueling filling.

Engine
Filed May 11, 2025FL

We were driving 55 and the car stalled. This has happened several times. Been at dealer and the codes show fine they replaced what they thought was issue and it still does this. Very scary

Steering
Filed Jan 29, 2025FL

I purchased this car from a dealer in Sarasota Florida. Driving it home from the dealer, I was driving approximately 70 mph on [XXX] near Sarasota. The vehicle suddenly braked and pulled to the left simultaneously. I have taken it to a repair shop that specializes in Corvettes, and trying to ID the problem. In doing research, evidently it is related to the active handling system. There is a recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V172000 Manufacturer GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Components STEERING Potential Number of Units Affected 40,028 and a service bulletin 10118. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 27, 2025AZ

Vehicle is leaving a strong gas order inside and around the vehicle. This issue is currently awaiting to be inspected but for the meantime, it’s parked inside a garage where it completely fills the area with said odor. This is particularly unsafe due to our water heater also being located in this section of the house. Gas smell first appeared about a month ago and had consistently releasing these vapors. I’ve seen that GM has released a service bulletin for a short period of time but hasn’t officially recalled the fuel issue (faulty fuel system).

Structure
Filed Jan 6, 2025CA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact received recall notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V491000 (Structure) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was no longer equipped with the recalled part. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted.

Structure
Filed Dec 2, 2024KY

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V491000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Structure
Filed Nov 5, 2024CA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V491000(Structure); however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. No further information was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 28, 2023MD

Strong smell of fuel after driven with more than 1/2 tank of fuel.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 21, 2023CA

Air bag light goes on and mostly when driver seat is adjusted

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 202350,000 milesIA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving at speeds above 25 MPH, the ABS system failed, causing the front brakes to activate without the driver depressing the brake pedal. During the failure the active handling warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the active handling control module wiring harness was faulty and needed to be replaced. Additionally, while operating the vehicle the low beam headlights inadvertently turned off. The mechanic diagnosed that the wiring harness for the exterior lighting needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V251000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 50,000. The contact stated that he pulled the fuse box and wiring from the car. In the photos, we can see a damaged wire around a tight bend that has created tension and caused a faulty connection.

Power Train
Filed Aug 14, 2023MI

Happened twice within a day. The main electric fan on the radiator stopped working and the car overheated. Once at idle, was able to shut the car off safely. The second time, there was traffic on the highway, and the fan stopped working and the car started to overheat. Had to shut the car off and wait for it to cool down on the side of the road. When I got the car home, I found the electrical connector of the fan to be melted and fused together. There was no indicator that the fan would stop running prior to the engine overheating.

Seats
Filed Jul 11, 2023MI

This is a 2006 Corvette with roughly 82,000 miles. The driver's seat will intermittently collapse on the recline function, resulting in a seat that is reclined all the way back. When this occurs, I need to pull myself up by the steering wheel while the vehicle is going down the road.

Engine
Filed Jul 11, 2023MI

While driving at ~45mph and 3500 rpm, an exhaust valve dropped on the pass side cylinder head. vehicle lost motive power. there was a hole in the block on the passenger side and the vehicle needed a long block replacement. the vehicle had 79,000 miles

Air Bags
Filed Jul 10, 2023CA

Air bag warning light comes on intermittently...goes away when I move the seat back and forth indicating there is faulty wiring with this vehicle. Apparently according to a corvette forum, this is a common problem, which tells me there is a chance that the problem possibly came from the factory.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 8, 2023FL

Fuel leaks from drivers side fuel tank. I see fuel tracks down side of tank, so conclude fuel is leaking from top of tank or from fuel pump. Fuel components are plastic, and now 17 years old, so they are probably cracked from age. I have strong smell of fuel in my garage, and puddle of fuel under drivers side tank. This is a safety hazard and must be fixed. I am aware of a number of other C6 Corvette owners with identical problems. GM must fix!

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 6, 2023CA

This is a safety concern when I start my car and can not put it in reverse. This in todays world of violence and crime everywhere is truly a safety concern for women stuck in a car that you can not get out of park. The shift is stuck in park and will not move in any other position. Looking on the web this is a known problem on many 2005 and 2006 Corvette's for years. This has happened to many times to count.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 5, 2022CA

My service active handling and traction control light will come on randomly and disappear, when it does come on usually my car will brake on one side of the car and skip and skid over to one side. when it happens I have zero control of the braking and steering and it has taken my car into another lane completely. it is terrifying and I've had the whole brake system replaced, along with ecm, ebcm, rack and pinion all suspension and steering components, wiring harness and just about everything I could think of that may cause it. I have a tilting telescope steering wheel and I've heard that they can cause this

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 21, 2022NY

Car is now leaking fuel from driver's side gas tank. This is a known problem with GM and I do not understand how this is not a safety recall as the exhaust is inches away from the tank. The problem has been documented online by many owners. Is NHSTA waiting for someone to die in a fire before forcing GM to recall these cars. This is ridiculous. My car has only 41K miles. This should not be allowed by such a large American Corporation

20 of 365 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202510310Routine
202421210Routine
202325131Fatalities reported
202220100Routine
202112200Routine
202034400Routine
2019147100Routine
201851100Routine
2017256400Above average
2016103210Routine
201564500Routine
201461511Fatalities reported
201382000Routine
201256100Routine
201185110Routine
201084000Routine
2009151010Routine
2008540020Above average
2007341240Above average
2006 — this page365520Above average
2005532660Above average
2004217410Above average
200385311Fatalities reported
2002157300Routine
2001203330Above average
2000277400Above average
1999308431Fatalities reported
1998399410Above average
1997153700Routine
199644140Routine
199532120Routine
199429110Routine
199322200Routine
19927210Routine
199124310Routine
199034400Routine

Compare every Corvette year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

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 14, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.