RoadVitals

2003 Chevrolet Corvette Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Jun 8, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
18%
of 85 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Jun 8, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11100522
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
Mileage
21,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 5, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11067022
Incident
Jan 28, 2018
Mileage
90,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical
Filed May 6, 2017

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 THE LOT IN FLA AND A SALVAGE LOT AS WELL. MIKE REID IN BENTON KY CONFIRMED WATER DAMAGE BUT WOULD NOT HELP US BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL CONNECTED. THESE CARS ARE RUN THROUGH DIFFERENT STATES UNTIL DEALERS CAN GET TITLES AND I HAD PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE. KY ATTORNEY GENERAL DID NOTHING TO HELP, KY STATE TROOPERS BUDDY PUGH KEEPS THEM SAFE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST ELDERLY AND DISABLED

NHTSA ID
10983821
Incident
May 17, 2016
Mileage
41,324 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 12, 2017

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 MONTHS AGO. I HAD TO GO TO CHUCK HUTTON IN MEMPHIS TN, TO EVEN GET A REAL CARFAX, THE SERVICE DEPT TOLD ME THEY GOT RID OF IT AFTER 1 DAY BECAUSE OF SO MANY PROBLEMS, AND THAT IT HAD BEEN PAID OFF IN A SETTLEMENT, TWICE!! THE CAR IS THE DEVIL, I'M CONVINCED, AND IT'S BEEN WRECKED IN FRONT LEFT AND REAR LEFT WITH ODOMETER FRAUD.

NHTSA ID
10960181
Incident
May 17, 2016
Body & structureElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 23, 2017

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

NHTSA ID
10947087
Incident
Jan 23, 2017
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 30, 2016
Crash reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10920074
Incident
May 17, 2016
ElectricalSteering
Filed Feb 10, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10825512
Incident
Feb 9, 2016
Mileage
45,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 5, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10723703
Incident
May 1, 2015
Mileage
15,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 3, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10723293
Incident
Jun 2, 2015
Mileage
11,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 1, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10607458
Incident
May 14, 2007
Mileage
17,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 19, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10598219
Incident
Jun 2, 2014
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed May 24, 2012
Crash reported

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

NHTSA ID
10459589
Incident
Dec 15, 2009
Mileage
35,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Apr 26, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE AIR BAG AS HAVING A SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE HORN TO STOP OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. *AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE INVOICE FOR REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE HAD TO BE AN ACCIDENT IN ORDER FOR THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE DEALER STATED THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT LOCK, REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. UPDATED 06/08/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10188911
Incident
Apr 20, 2007
Mileage
34,547 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 3, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DARKENED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ID
10164398
Incident
Aug 9, 2005
Mileage
13,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 11, 2006

MY 2003 Z06 CORVETTE BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. I'M ON MY 3RD BATTERY AND THE SERVICE DEPT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT'S DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE PROBLEM IS FIXED WHEN I RECEIVE A NEW BATTERY, BUT IN 6 MONTHS THAT BATTERY BEGINS TO FAIL. IF THE CAR IS NOT STARTED WITHIN 3 DAYS THE BATTERY TENDS TO DIE. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME TO START THE CAR EVERY DAY, BUT I HAVE 2 OTHER CARS (GMC'S) THAT DON'T NEED TO BE STARTED EVERY DAY. THIS CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS TO BE STARTED EVERY DAY. I BELIEVE SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THE SERVICE DEPT, CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10155087
Incident
Apr 4, 2006
Mileage
8,400 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .