2004 Chevrolet Corvette Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system14859.7%
- Steering3614.5%
- Driver assistance135.2%
- Electrical114.4%
- Brakes104.0%
- Other / unspecified72.8%
- Airbags41.6%
- Engine41.6%
- Visibility41.6%
- Body & structure31.2%
- Interior & seats20.8%
- Suspension20.8%
- Transmission20.8%
- Exterior lighting20.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
- Fuel tank leaks - gasoline puddles under car, heavy fumes - Fire / explosion hazard - Confirmed by local mechanic as existing problem in that year - Inspected and confirmed by selling dealer - trying to repair - No auto warning, smell of fumes and gas on garage floor day after delivery of car
A month after I purchased the car with approximately 40k miles, I took the car in for an oil change at the dealership and was told there was a major leak in the left fuel tank and at the crossover tube. This leaking fuel is leaking onto the exhaust. It would cost at least $4,000 to repair. I can not afford this. It is too dangerous to drive. I have no other car. Supposedly, my vin number is 200 numbers away from being included in the recall for the same issue and that you have 43 pages of complaints about. Did I mention that the crossover tube is a backordered part because so many are needed because when you pull the current one out, it breaks and a new one is needed?
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
When I start my vehicle, the steering wheel locking system does not disengage and the steering wheel stays locked.
The contact's friend owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while his friend was starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that they were unable to assist due to the age of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 80 MPH ON A STRAIGHT FLAT SURFACE, THE CORVETTE SHARPLY VEERED TO THE SIDE AS I HEARD A LOUD SCREECH FROM ONE OF THE BRAKES IT LASTED FOR ABOUT A SECOND. THE TURN WAS SO ABRUPT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO ROLL BUT AFTER FISHTAILING WAS ABLE TO GET THINGS GOING STRAIGHT. IMMEDIATELY A SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM MESSAGE POPPED UP. HAPPENED ABOUT A WEEK LATER GOING ABOUT 60 MPH NOT QUITE AS ABRUPT. THIS CONDITION COULD HAVE LEAD TO A FATALITY.
WHEN USING TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL THE ACTIVE HANDLING LIGHT A CAME ON AND THE CAR PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE WHILE DRIVING . I HAD NEVER USED THE TELESCOPING STERLING WHEEL FEATURE PRIOR TO THIS .*DT*JB
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
When I start my vehicle, the steering wheel locking system does not disengage and the steering wheel stays locked.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle failed to move farther than five feet before the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The pull-out key and wait-ten-seconds message were displayed. The contact had to release the key from the ignition and restart the vehicle. The contact called an independent mechanic and was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN USING TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL THE ACTIVE HANDLING LIGHT A CAME ON AND THE CAR PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE WHILE DRIVING . I HAD NEVER USED THE TELESCOPING STERLING WHEEL FEATURE PRIOR TO THIS .*DT*JB
AFTER TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL, ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WHILE DRIVING CAR PULLED LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
CRACK ON REAR WHEEL POLISHED ALUMINUM ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEEL LEAKING AIR FROM CRACK ON OUTER INNER RIM TPMS ALERTED ME TO LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE NEVER HIT A CURB. WHEEL SHOWS NO OTHER DAMAGE
CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY ISSUES FOR 2002 AND 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTES. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF A MODULE WHICH CONTROLLED THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL VISIBLE GASOLINE LEAKAGE AFTER VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN PARKED OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS. THEN I BEGAN TO TAKE NOTES OF WHAT , WHEN , WHERE THIS LEAK WAS OCCURRING, I WOULD FILL THE TANK, PARK THE AUTO IN THE GARAGE . THE NEXT TIME I USED THE VEHICLE, A NOTICEABLE GAS ODOR, SPOT ON THE GARAGE FLOOR WAS NOTED. I STARTED TO PLACE A CARDBOARD UNDER THE FRONT END TO MORE READILY BE ABLE TO OBSERVE THE SUBSTANCE LEAKING. THE ODOR WAS UNMISTAKABLE. SEVERAL OCCURRENCES N SPOTTING IS EVIDENT AFTER HAVING PARKED IN MY GARAGE . THE AUTO WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN MY GARAGE. I AM LISTING THE LATEST CALENDAR DATE AND PHOTO. I HAVE OTHER DATES IN MY NOTEPAD. 2) MY SEATBELT OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT LOCK. I HEAR THE CLICK OF A SEATBELT LOCK THEN UPON DRIVING AWAY FROM MY HOME ~ ,25 MILES ~ MY SEATBELT UNLOCKED THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN. 3) AIRBAG CANNOT BE CHECKED FOR EFFECTIVENESS .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,900.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle failed to move farther than five feet before the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The pull-out key and wait-ten-seconds message were displayed. The contact had to release the key from the ignition and restart the vehicle. The contact called an independent mechanic and was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
THIS REQUEST INVOLVES A SAFETY BULLETIN [#0400C6], DATED 2/8/2006 RELATING TO THE ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK (ECL) FOR APPROXIMATELY 96% OF ALL 220,000+ C-5 GENERATION CORVETTES. 2004 WAS THE LAST YEAR OF PRODUCTION FOR THE C-5 GENERATION. TOTAL PRODUCTION IN 2004 IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN ABOUT 35,000: OUT OF THIS, 20,861 VEHICLES WERE COVERED BY THE ABOVE SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT AS MINE WAS ASSEMBLED AFTER VIN #45120862 UNTIL ASSEMBLY BEGAN FOR THE 2005 MODEL YEAR (C-6 GENERATION), MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED ON PAGE 2 OF THE BULLETIN. PRIOR TO THE STEERING COLUMN ON MY CAR LOCKING ON 6/28/2016 I HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE THAT THIS PERILOUS CONDITION EXISTED. GM HAS INDICATED THAT IT WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY FUNDS TO OFFSET THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS FAULT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY SERVICE BULLETIN. I BELIEVE THAT SERVICE BULLETIN #04006C WAS INTENDED FOR (OR SHOULD APPLY TO) THE ENTIRE C-5 PRODUCTION -- UNLESS THERE IS SOME REASONABLE EXPLANATION AS TO WHY MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXCLUDED (SUCH AS A DIFFERENT ECL CONFIGURATION WAS USED, ETC.) IN EITHER EVENT, I FEEL THE COMPANY SHOULD HONOR MY REQUEST FOR A FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR FUNDS EXPENDED TO REPLACE THE FAULTY ECL. I HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER TO GM EXPLAINING THE FACTS SURROUNDING THIS REQUEST AND HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF THAT LETTER FOR YOUR REVIEW.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN OCTOBER OF 2005 THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW CEASED TO FUNCTION, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OPERATED SPORADICALLY. DEALER REPLACED BOTH WINDOW REGULATORS UNDER WARRANTY. THEN IN FEBRUARY OF 2007, THE PASSENGER WINDOW CEASED TO FUNCTION AGAIN. ONCE AGAIN THIS REGULATOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEN IN FEBRUARY 2010 THE PASSENGER WINDOWS CEASED TO OPERATE AGAIN, THEN MAY 2010 THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CEASED TO OPERATE AGAIN. THE DEALER REPLACED THESE NOW AT A VERY SIGNIFICANT FEE (2.5% THE ORIGINAL COST OF THE VEHICLE). THEREFORE IN 6 YEARS I WENT THROUGH 7 WINDOW REGULATORS, AND HAVE TALKED TO OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. THE ODD PART IS THAT I RARELY ROLL EITHER WINDOW DOWN. *TR
2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS KEEP FAILING. WINDOW WILL EITHER NOT ROLL DOWN AT ALL, OR SOMETIMES THE REGULATOR CABLE WILL FRAY AND WINDOW WILL PARTIALLY GO DOWN. I HAVE HAD TWO REGULATORS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE CURRENT ONE NO LONGER WORKS. AND I HAVE JUST INSTALLED THE THIRD ONE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 48,000 MILE ON IT AND IT IS BABIED. YET THESE PARTS KEEP FAILING AND THE REPAIR COST IS $550.00 PER INCIDENT. 5 REGULATORS IN UNDER 50,000 MILES SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM TO ME SINCE I HAVE OWNED 20 CARS IN MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM UNTIL NOW. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2000 CHEVROLET CORVETTE AND A 2004 CHEVROLET COMMEMORATIVE EDITION CORVETTE. BOTH OF MY VETTES HAVE HAD A ROOF LEAK AND BOTH CARS HAVE THE FIXED ROOF. NEITHER VEHICLES HAVE EVER BEEN WRECKED. IT HAS CAUSED MILDEW ON THE HEADLINER AS WELL AS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH WIRING IN THE CAR DUE TO THE LEAK. BECAUSE MY 2000 CORVETTE HAD NO WARRANTY WE FIXED THE PROBLEM OURSELVES, BUT MY 2004 CORVETTE STILL IS HAVING A PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT IS UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE ROOF LEAK. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO COINCIDENTAL TO HAVE THE PROBLEM ON TWO CORVETTES. *TR
OUR CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE HAD A "RATTLE" IN THE BACK WE ID AS THE BACK WINDOW FROM THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAD BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE ADHESIVE AND FELL OUT INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT IS BEING HANDLED THROUGH THE RECALL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
PROBLEM 1: GASOLINE SMELL WITH LEAK AND ULTIMATE FAILURE OF VALVE TO TRANSFER FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO ANOTHER. OCCURRED CONTINUALLY WITH FUEL TANK REGISTERING FULL TO 3/4 TANK THEN DROPPING TO EMPTY AND VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE OUT OF GAS (WOULD NOT RUN UNTIL FUEL ADDED TO TANK). SOLUTION: TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. REPAIR INVOICE STATES: "REPLACED L/S GAS TANK AND PUMP AND SENDER AND REPLACED R/S FUEL PUMP AND SENDER. CHECK FUEL GAUGE AND TANKS FOUND L/S FUEL TANK LEAKING AT TOP OF TANK. WELD ALSO FOUND FUEL LEVEL SENSORS OPEN CIRCUIT AND FUEL SYSTEM NOT TRANSFERRING FUEL FROM TANK TO TANK. RETEST AFTER REPAIRS. OK" PROBLEM 2: A/C DISPLAY LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE AND CONTROLS ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. SOLUTION: TOOK TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. REPAIR INVOICE STATES: "CONTROLLER HAS INTERNAL FAILURE, REPLACED CONTROLLER." *TR
DT: ELECTRIC SEAT SHOVED CONSUMER INTO STEERING WHEEL. THE SEAT'S MOTOR CONTINUED TO PUSH THE CONSUMER FORWARD EVEN AFTER THE SEAT HAD GOTTEN TO END OF IT'S TRACK. IT WAS HARD TO UNHOOK THE FUSE IN ORDER TO STOP SEAT MOTOR. ON JULY 2, 2005 THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
PREPURCHASE RECALL SEARCH.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FIBERGLASS CROSSMEMBER BAR WAS CRACKING AND SEPARATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFERRED HIM TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,787. UPDATED 02/18/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PART IN QUESTION. UPDATED 03/09/11
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
SHIFTER POPS-OUT OF REVERSE WHEN FULLY ENGAGED IN REVERSE THE SHIFTER POPS OUT. THIS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND HAS TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND NOT THE SHIFTER, ALTHOUGH IT IS SLOPPY ALSO. *NM
CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AFTER HIGH OR LOW RPM THE CLUTCH REMAINED ENGAGED. WAS ABLE TO WORK IT LOOSE AFTER RECYLING THE CLUTCH PEDAL. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
PREPURCHASE RECALL SEARCH.
DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY, MY HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY DEAD AND WOULD NOT COME BACK ON. HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES AFTER DARK. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .