RoadVitals

2009 Chevrolet Corvette Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
151
Latest Jun 3, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
15
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

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

  • Engine2514.6%
  • Airbags158.8%
  • 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.

82
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11741929 · filed Jun 3, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID 11687953 · filed Sep 17, 2025
All 82 reports naming fuel system

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

25
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Fuel pump / Fuel tank Cracks due to bad plastic use by GM

NHTSA ID 11507721 · filed Feb 16, 2023

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

NHTSA ID 11329555 · filed Jun 18, 2020
All 25 reports naming engine

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

15
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11684721 · filed Sep 3, 2025

AIRBAG SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND APPEARS TO BE AFFECTED BY POSITIONING OF THE PASSENGER SEAT.

NHTSA ID 11307798 · filed Feb 7, 2020
All 15 reports naming airbags

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

9
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11623659 · filed Nov 5, 2024

2005-2010 CORVETTE C6 MODELS HAVE FRONT HEADLIGHT ISSUE OF STEM AND LENS CRACKS

NHTSA ID 11252908 · filed Sep 3, 2019
All 9 reports naming exterior lighting

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

8
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11458802 · filed Mar 29, 2022

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

NHTSA ID 10631861 · filed Sep 9, 2014
All 8 reports naming electrical

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

6
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11329547 · filed Jun 18, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID 11153730 · filed Nov 26, 2018

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.

5
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11187287 · filed Mar 16, 2019

WHEN GETTING READY TO PULL OUT OF THE GARAGE THE CLUTCH WENT TO THE FLOOR & WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10713113 · filed Apr 27, 2015

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.

5
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10916070 · filed Oct 14, 2016

STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN CABIN AND OUTSIDE OF CAR.

NHTSA ID 10877020 · filed Jun 27, 2016

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.

5
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11329555 · filed Jun 18, 2020

VALVE GUIDE ISSUE CAUSING FAILURE TO BRAKES, AND POWER STEERING, AS WELL AS ENGINE BLOWING

NHTSA ID 10903195 · filed Sep 2, 2016

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.

5
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11187287 · filed Mar 16, 2019

VALVE GUIDE ISSUE CAUSING FAILURE TO BRAKES, AND POWER STEERING, AS WELL AS ENGINE BLOWING

NHTSA ID 10903195 · filed Sep 2, 2016

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.

2
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10458227 · filed May 13, 2012

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

NHTSA ID 10334331 · filed Jun 2, 2010

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 10266615 · filed Apr 24, 2009

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10292054 · filed Nov 13, 2009

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENT. SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER NOT LOCKING. AIRBAG LIGHT WILL APPEAR AFTER MOVING SEAT OR DURING SPIRITED DRIVING.

NHTSA ID 10723957 · filed Jun 8, 2015

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10401001 · filed May 16, 2011

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

Data on this page last refreshed .