2009 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 2009 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 system8248.0%
- Engine2514.6%
- Airbags158.8%
- Exterior lighting95.3%
- Electrical84.7%
- Powertrain (other)63.5%
- Driver assistance52.9%
- Body & structure52.9%
- Steering52.9%
- Brakes52.9%
- Other / unspecified21.2%
- Visibility10.6%
- Interior & seats10.6%
- Seat belts10.6%
- Suspension10.6%
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
When the gas tanks are more than 1/2 full the inside of the car fills with gas fumes the only way to prevent is to keep the Tanks less than half full…… worried the fumes will ignite under the right conditions…….. supposedly this is a well documented problem with the C-6 corvettes
Approximately 2 months ago I noticed a faint gasoline odor when I entered our garage. I thought that it might be due to a recent re-call on my Honda Gold Wing which involved the fuel system. The motorcycle was repaired by the dealer, returned and I never rode it until yesterday. The smell went away. I filled the Corvette, probably 3 weeks ago and the odor returned. We parked my wife's Mazda outside but the odor continued with the Corvette inside, in its normal space. I checked the floor under each vehicle, diligently, and thankfully no liquid fuel was apparent. Parking the Corvette outside, the odor went away and perhaps the same day, when leaving an evening event, I placed some folding chairs in the "trunk" of the Corvette and noticed the odor. The following day, I went to the Chevrolet dealer I normally have repair work done to make arrangements to bring it in for inspection and did so on September 8th. A few days later, I was advised that there was a leak at the top of the left tank and that the tank would have to be removed and re-sealed at the top where there is an entry area for a part involved with the fuel system. The dealer advised that they thought there was a re-call for this matter but found that either there wasn't one or it expired. I forget which. My search on GM's website for recalls as well as yours, doesn't indicate that there was one BUT this is really a serious matter and the fix is expensive. I bought the vehicle from the original owner, who is a retired GM engineer for their manufacturing plants. It has not been in an accident.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Fuel pump / Fuel tank Cracks due to bad plastic use by GM
I HAD A VALVE DROP AND THREW A ROD THRU MY ENGINE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I LOST ENGINE POWER, POWER STEERING, AND SPILLED OIL AND OTHER CHEMICALS ONTO THE ROADWAY. A THICK CLOUD OF SMOKE BILLOWED FROM UNDERNEATH AND OUT THE BACK OF THE CAR MAKING IT UNSAFE FOR CARS TRAVELING BEHIND ME. THE DEALER WHO HAS SINCE INSPECTED MY CAR HAS STATED IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE "LIFTERS ARE WEAK". AFTER QUITE A BIT OF READING, IT APPEARS MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR HAVE EXPERIENCED A MULTITUDE OF ISSUES WITH VALVES, LIFTERS, HEADS, ETC. GM IS AWARE OF FAULTY PARTS BUT I CANNOT FIND ANY NOTICE OF RECALLS. MAKE/MODEL: 2009 CORVETTE Z06; ENGINE: LS7. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Air bag display is on and apparently there is a leak in the accelerant on the passenger side of the car.
AIRBAG SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND APPEARS TO BE AFFECTED BY POSITIONING OF THE PASSENGER SEAT.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
fuel leak on driver side tank elbow on gas pump is cracked. Low beam headlights do not work, high beams are ok.
2005-2010 CORVETTE C6 MODELS HAVE FRONT HEADLIGHT ISSUE OF STEM AND LENS CRACKS
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Traction control alarm and goes into active handling very difficult to steer our control usually happens when going through Corner. Chevy does know this happens there is a number here for their investigation or problem EA09-002
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V251000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. .UPDATED 09/30/14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLES TEMPERATURE WAS OVER 100 DEGREES. THE CONSUMER COULD NO LONGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON. UPDATED 10/07/14
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY, BUT FREQUENTLY: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER STAYS LOCKED IN PARK, DESPITE ENGINE RUNNING AND FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. CAN'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THIS HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS PARKED, STARTING IT UP AND TRYING TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE PROBLEM HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRONIC/MECHANICAL INTERLOCK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THERE IS AN ELECTRONIC SWITCH OR SOLENOID THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING, THE PREVENTS THE MECHANICAL TRANSMISSION LOCK FROM DISENGAGING. TO WORKAROUND THE PROBLEM, YOU CAN TRY TO: - TURN THE CAR OFF, AND RESTART IT. AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES, IF YOU ARE LUCKY THE TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK MAY RELEASE SUCCESSFULLY. - THERE IS AN EMERGENCY WORKAROUND PROCEDURE WHERE BY PUTTING THE CAR IN ACCESSORY MODE BEFORE STARTING IT, YOU CAN BYPASS THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM. - THE CHEVROLET DEALERS I HAVE HEARD FROM RECOMMEND REPLACING THE ENTIRE SHIFTER SYSTEM FOR $700-$1000. BUT THE NEW SHIFTERS HAVE THE VERY SAME DESIGN PROBLEM! SO NEW SHIFTERS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE SAME FAILURES IN THE FUTURE! WHEN GOOGLING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET FORUMS, IT APPEARS THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM AFFECTING "6TH-GENERATION" CORVETTES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 2005 AND 2013. (I HAVE A 2009 MODEL.) APPARENTLY GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS, BUT HAS NOT INVESTED IN ANY RECALL. AS A RESULT, IT APPEARS MANY OWNERS ARE CHOOSING TO DISABLE THE TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK SINCE IT IS UNRELIABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO URGE GM TO ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
CAR WILL NOT START WITH TRANSMISSION IN PARK. BATTERY IS NEW AND FULLY CHARGED. PREVIOUS TO THIS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE FAILED SUDDENLY LEAVING ME STUCK IN PARK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
EBCM WAS RECALLED ON SEVERAL OTHER GM PRODUCTS BUT NOT THE CORVETTE, BUT THE FORUM SAID A PROBLEMS EXISTS. I HAVE 100,030 MILES AND THE' SERVICE HANDLING SYSTEM ' WARNING IS ON WHICH CAN BE IMITATED FROM THE EBCM.
WHEN GETTING READY TO PULL OUT OF THE GARAGE THE CLUTCH WENT TO THE FLOOR & WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. *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
THE INNER PORTION OF THE DOOR WHERE THE HINGES ATTACHED HAS BEGUN CRACKING THAT HAS CAUSED THE DOOR TO SAG. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN A COLLISION AND THE DOOR HAS ONLY BEEN USED IN A NORMAL MANNER. THE CRACKING HAS HAPPENED SLOWLY OVERTIME AND IS CONTINUING.
STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN CABIN AND OUTSIDE OF CAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD A VALVE DROP AND THREW A ROD THRU MY ENGINE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I LOST ENGINE POWER, POWER STEERING, AND SPILLED OIL AND OTHER CHEMICALS ONTO THE ROADWAY. A THICK CLOUD OF SMOKE BILLOWED FROM UNDERNEATH AND OUT THE BACK OF THE CAR MAKING IT UNSAFE FOR CARS TRAVELING BEHIND ME. THE DEALER WHO HAS SINCE INSPECTED MY CAR HAS STATED IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE "LIFTERS ARE WEAK". AFTER QUITE A BIT OF READING, IT APPEARS MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR HAVE EXPERIENCED A MULTITUDE OF ISSUES WITH VALVES, LIFTERS, HEADS, ETC. GM IS AWARE OF FAULTY PARTS BUT I CANNOT FIND ANY NOTICE OF RECALLS. MAKE/MODEL: 2009 CORVETTE Z06; ENGINE: LS7. *TR
VALVE GUIDE ISSUE CAUSING FAILURE TO BRAKES, AND POWER STEERING, AS WELL AS ENGINE BLOWING
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
EBCM WAS RECALLED ON SEVERAL OTHER GM PRODUCTS BUT NOT THE CORVETTE, BUT THE FORUM SAID A PROBLEMS EXISTS. I HAVE 100,030 MILES AND THE' SERVICE HANDLING SYSTEM ' WARNING IS ON WHICH CAN BE IMITATED FROM THE EBCM.
VALVE GUIDE ISSUE CAUSING FAILURE TO BRAKES, AND POWER STEERING, AS WELL AS ENGINE BLOWING
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON I-275 I FIRST EXPERIENCED A MUFFLED NOISE IN THE CAR THAT SOUNDED LIKE WIND. THE CAR WAS NOT HOLDING THE ROAD AS IT USUALLY DOES AND THE REAR SWAYED A BIT. NEXT, THERE WAS A SOUND LIKE A THUMP. MY DASHBOARD LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE WITH A WARNING THAT TRACTION CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING AND THAT I SHOULD SEEK IMMEDIATE REPAIR. NEXT, THE VEHICLE LOST A LOT OF ITS POWER AND DECELERATED RATHER SUDDENLY FORM 70 TO APPROX 45 MPH. CAR HAD NO ENERGY OR PEP AND LIGHT SAID ENGINE POWER LOSS. FORTUNATELY NOBODY WAS BEHIND ME WHEN THE DECELERATION OCCURRED. I EXITED THE EXPRESSWAY AND WAS JUST FEW MILES FROM HOTEL AND PARKED IT. HAD IT TOWED THE NEXT DAY TO A DEALER IN TAMPA. DO NOT YET KNOW DIAGNOSIS ON THE CAR. WILL PROBABLY HEAR TOMORROW. BUT IT WAS A REAL SHOCK TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN SO SUDDENLY AND THE DECELERATION WAS SUDDEN AND IF CAR HAD BEEN BEHIND ME IT COULD HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM. *TR
THE SERVICE ABS SYSTEM, SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ALERTS CAME ON AFTER SIMPLY STARTING THE CAR. CAR RAN SLUGGISH. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR EARLIER YEARS CORVETTES: TSB 06.02.35.002A AND TSB 06.02.35.002B. BUT MY CORVETTE IS A 2009 AND I HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I HAVE A TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL SET TO AUTOMATICALLY RETRACT AND EXTEND. *TR
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT NOTICED WHEN LOOKING INTO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, THE HEAD LINER DROOPED AND OBSCURED HIS VISION. ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT SINCE THAT WAS HOW THEY WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,700 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100.
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
2009 C6 CHEVROLET CORVETTE COUPE 1. MY WIFE & I GOT INTO ACR TO BACK OUT OF GARAGE. THE BATTERY FAILED WHEN I PRESSED IGNITION BUTTON. WE WERE LOCKED IN CAR WHICH HAS NO MANUAL DOOR HANDLES. 2. WE ESCAPED VEHICLE BY REMOVING ROOF PANEL AND CLIMBING OUT OF ROOF. 3. CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHO INFORMED US OF EMERGENCY DRIVER SIDE DOOR RELEASE IN THE BACK HATCH ON REAR WHEEL WELL THAT MUST BE PULLED TOWARD BACK OF CAR. IF INSIDE CAR, PASSENGER MUST CRAWL BETWEEN SEATS TO ACCESS THE RELEASE. WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS RELEASE AT TIME OF PURCHASE. THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP IF THE BATTERY OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS OR IF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR RELEASE CABLE SNAPS OR JAMS IN AN ACCIDENT. EMERGENCY ESCAPE REQUIRES CLIMBING THROUGH ROOF OR INTO BACK HATCH - ELDERLY PEOPLE COULD NOT DO WHAT WE HAD TO DO TO EXIT THE CAR. THERE SHOULD BE MANUAL RELEASE FOR BOTH DOORS ON THE DOORS. THE BATTERIES USED BY GM FOR THESE CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR QUICK DRAWDOWN & SHOULD BE REPLACED AT GM'S EXPENSE WITH QUALITY BATTERIES SUCH AS ODYSSEY PC1200. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENT. SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER NOT LOCKING. AIRBAG LIGHT WILL APPEAR AFTER MOVING SEAT OR DURING SPIRITED DRIVING.
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND WOULD NOT STAY IN THE LANE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE CHASSIS. THE CONTACT STATED ONE OF THE UPPER BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE UPPER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND BOLTS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 6/8/11 *CN UPDATED 06/24/11
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 .