2005 Chevrolet Corvette Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the low-beam headlights malfunctioned and failed to illuminate as needed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in 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 123,000.

NHTSA ID

11754498

Incident

Aug 3, 2026

Mileage

123,000 mi

Sometimes (intermittently), when I push the start button to start the car, it just makes a "click" sound, the car does not start and the steering wheel will lock and all other functions of the car will be disabled. "CHECK COLUM LOCK" will be displayed on the screen. I have to take a battery cable off to reset the software before I can once again start and drive the car.

NHTSA ID

11692336

Incident

Oct 7, 2025

As I'm driving, the brakes are deployed "hard" without any action on my part. "CHECK ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM" shows up on the screen. I have not het had the vehicle inspected.

NHTSA ID

11692326

Incident

Oct 8, 2025

This lead to an injury accident which totaled the car. I have documentation stating that the recall was fixed, but after I moved to Germany with the Army, the recall regularly activated the active handling when not needed (e.g parking) but then when we started slipping, the active handling did not engage and we crashed, totaling the car. The airbags did not engage even though the car played pinball on both sides of the autobahn. If we were going any faster, we would have died.

NHTSA ID

11629385

Incident

Dec 5, 2024

The active handling applies itself with normal non aggressive driving. When activated the brakes apply and lock up, this has happened in low speed turns at intersections and even when driving straight. I have had the vehicle to the dealership to resolve as this is a major safety concern leaving the car locked up in the middle of an intersection. They stated it was the sensor behind the steering wheel and they fixed it but the problem still persists. Secondly the driver seat has begun moving on its own and inching me closer to the steering wheel with no interference with the button while driving. I have since disconnected the seat fuse to prevent collision from improper driver positioning.

NHTSA ID

11626781

Incident

Nov 22, 2024

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the headlights were flickering and then became inoperable. The fuse box was melted. There was smoke detected from underneath the hood. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V251000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed the contact that the part was no longer produced. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11603964

Incident

Jun 29, 2024

Mileage

80,000 mi

steering wheel lock car cannot start and this can happen while driving and could cause a accident chevy knows of problem and has been recalled but has not solved the problem knowed as steering wheel lock

NHTSA ID

11563372

Incident

Dec 18, 2023

I bought this2005 corvette 3months and when i park it in the garage it fills up with gas fumes and could spark a fire.I have investigated this problem and its related to the gas tanks plastic parts.

NHTSA ID

11544403

Incident

Aug 22, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the low-beam headlight failed to function properly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the fuse box to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V251000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,458.

NHTSA ID

11540806

Incident

Aug 24, 2023

Mileage

30,458 mi

I purchased my 2005 Corvette C6 from a used car dealership on 4/30/2023. The car was fine for the first week. The second week I began getting a lot of error codes specifically: Service Active Handling System Service Traction Control Service ABS Shocks Inoperative Service Fuel System. At times it would go into limp mode. I would find a safe place to pull off. I would shut the car off and it would not restart. I would check the relays under the hood and the passenger floorboard. Eventually it would restart and drive again until the next time. I have replaced the following components: Battery cables with factory replacement New Battery, twice New high output alternator and a new belt. These items solved the many codes. Now I get Service Traction System, and the traction control shuts off. When this happened last, I got a P0101 MAF sensor error. Replaced the MAF Sensor 8/13. Has not happened as of yesterday. I have checked all of the grounds, added a new ground system called the Big Three. I should not have to put all this work into a well documented issue not only in the C6 but other models.

NHTSA ID

11538384

Incident

May 12, 2023

Brake transmission interlock failed. Car wouldnt shift out of park.

NHTSA ID

11536670

Incident

Jul 30, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving approximately 20-25 MPH down a steep hill, he depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the brakes failed. The contact stated that brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The contact then saw thick smoke coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall and that the report would not be covered. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA ID

11508723

Incident

Feb 21, 2023

Mileage

92,000 mi

2005 Corvette coupe, manual trans, Z51. Intermittent problem: Electronic steering column will not unlock when attempting to start or will not lock on shutdown. Vehicle inoperable, sometimes in potentially hazardous situations e.g., late night in parking lot, and compromised anti-theft feature. Possibly relevant: When parked but steering failed to lock, continuous battery draw is 4 amps, which might contribute to the "dead battery syndrome" that 2005 M6 Corvettes are known for. Hard to separate the two issues since either way the starter will not engage. Problem has existed since new (2005) but has gotten progressively worse. GM nonresponsive to multiple owner complaints. Aftermarket "Column Lock Bypass" work-arounds have been sold for this problem, but they are potentially dangerous since they simply spoof the BCM into thinking that the lock is fully released when it is simply unpowered and can easily move into a partially locked position with vibration and time. This is what I recently observed that motivated this safety complaint. GM finally issued a recall in 2018 (13 years after MY) for this problem, but for some reason did not include manual transmission cars in the recall, possible because production was small compared with automatics. But from internet forums, it is clear that this problem affects all 2005 M6 Corvettes.

NHTSA ID

11500018

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

Vehicle has open recall 09v491 for roof panel separation. The roof on the vehicle has separated and come apart in pieces leaving the front seal exposed. Gengras Chevrolet in Ct has ordered and received the replacement panel which has now been sitting at their dealership for approximately 2.5 weeks because they refuse to send it to paint until they rectify the outdated paint supply reimbursement cost with GM. In the meantime I have not had a spot for the vehicle inside and if I dont know its going to rain or dont get the car inside somewhere in time the water leaks down the windshield post and into the body control module. Currently the car drains the battery, gauges intermittently do not work as well as the power windows, starter button etc. from a recent pop up storm. Ive been back and forth with the dealer and spoke to a GM rep, niehter of which have proven useful in the situation. I just keep getting pushed off and told that I have to wait for them to figure it out with GM, even though it could potentially take 2 or more weeks to paint the top once the body shop actually gets it. This whole process has started approximately August 1st.

NHTSA ID

11486595

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

My car has been broken for over a year now. It has been to the dealership for the main engine wiring harness part number 19115750 which is unique to the 2005 and 2006 corvette. The failure causes several different problem. It keeps the TCM from which is the traction control module which adjust speed and traction to the wheels which is design to help drivers keep their cars under control. Without this system the car will loose traction and can cause it to go off the road. The second issue with the harness is it can put the car limp mode which restricts the speed to under 40mph which if you are driving and trying to excel into traffic this system will come in without notice and put you into a situation where if you are trying to merge or just go when the light changes it will only go like 5 mph causes the cars behind you to run into the rear of your vehicle and when if fail and you are pulling into traffic it causes your car to be in a direct line of impact with oncoming vehicle. The engine harness also provides power to the transmission via the ECM which keeps it from providing enough power to run the transmission control computer. This will make your car not go into gear or make it go completely out so without a transmission your car won’t move at all. This happens without notice. Now GM doesn’t make a replacement harness anymore making your vehicle unusable. GM also wants between 7k and 10k to make a harness for the vehicle. This doesn’t include installation. This makes the owners like myself have to seek other means to repair the vehicle. Like having a custom harness made for vehicle. Since GM only made this harness for 2 years it has been impossible for me to get my vehicle repaired at any cost. Making owner to make decisions that are unfair to owners. Like sell the car for scrap Paid the expensive repair which is like half the value of the car. Trade the car and lose thousands of dollars if you can find a dealership willing to take it

NHTSA ID

11484749

Incident

May 1, 2021

Fuel tank has a leak and the unburned fuel sits on top of the tank. The whole inside of the cabin smells strong of fuel and goes away about five minutes after driving. The unburned fuel and the smell only happen when the vehicle is parked and turned off. I have called the dealership about this issue multiple times and am still waiting for a call back to see what can be done. It has been about one month and still haven't received anything back. With the unburned fuel sitting on the top of the tank, while driving it could spill onto the exhaust pipes and cause a fire. There has been no warning lights of any kind that would have told me that something was wrong.

NHTSA ID

11458972

Incident

May 6, 2021

Service Column Lock, Service Active Handling System. Engine shut down (off) happened and avoided collision. Contacted GM and refused to issue a TSB (#18-NA-346, issued November 14, 2018).

NHTSA ID

11452279

Incident

Feb 12, 2022

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle felt as if the passenger’s side front brakes had seized. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V172000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 27,400.

NHTSA ID

11447385

Incident

Nov 1, 2021

Mileage

27,400 mi

The transmission shifter lock starts to sporadically not release keeping transmission in park (online many say this is a very common problem for 2005-08s, maybe more years), this could strand someone.

NHTSA ID

11438698

Incident

Sep 8, 2020

I left my driveway and got two miles up the road and with no warning lights or anything dashboard went dark and suddenly car put itself into assesory mode and car just stopped while driving. I was probably going 15 mph and luckily no one was behind me. The dash said to "shift into park" so I did then I started by pushing start button and it started right up with no problem. I can't get anyone to service vehicle because they said it is not reading any code from check engine light ect. So all I can do is hope it doesn't do this again. Scary.

NHTSA ID

11432007

Incident

Sep 6, 2021

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel from the fuel pump. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ID

11424141

Incident

Jul 8, 2021

Mileage

82,000 mi

THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS ON AND CAR SHUTS OFF WHEN DRIVING, CAR WAS IN DRIVE LEAVING DRIVEWAY. SEEMS A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THESE VEHICLES, MY CAR BEING A 05 DOES NOT SEEM THE VIN WAS CAPTURED FOR THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11407360

Incident

Apr 10, 2021

Mileage

32,000 mi

WHEN TAKING THE CAR OUT OF PARK, THE SHIFTER IS STUCK, YOU HAVE TO TURN THE CAR BACK OFF AND THEN ON TO GET IT TO RELEASE SOMETIME IT TAKE 2-3 TIMES REPEATING FOR IT TO DISENGAGE. ALSO, THE BATTERY DRAINS IF IT STARTED EVERY WEEK. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES IS NOT DRIVE BUT ON NICE DAYS.

NHTSA ID

11405016

Incident

Mar 23, 2021

Mileage

36,000 mi

VEHICLE STARTS BUT WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. EVENTUALLY AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS OR LEAVING VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE WHILE, RE-TRY AND ISSUE GOES AWAY. ISSUE HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND CANNOT BE REPLICATED EASILY.

NHTSA ID

11404402

Incident

Mar 20, 2021

Mileage

52,000 mi

WHEN ADDING MORE THAN HALF A TANK OF GAS, THE CAR WILL HAVE GAS FUMES COMING OUT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE, SOMETIMES I CAN SEE GAS DROPLETS COMING DOWN FROM THE BOLT HOLDING ON THE DRIVER SIDE GAS TANK COVER. DID SOME RESEARCH IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR C6 CORVETTES. IT SHOULD BE RECALL FOR SAFETY PURPOSES.

NHTSA ID

11389609

Incident

Jan 23, 2021