2013 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 2013 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 system4852.2%
- Airbags1010.9%
- Engine88.7%
- Other / unspecified55.4%
- Electrical44.3%
- Brakes33.3%
- Powertrain (other)33.3%
- Steering33.3%
- Suspension33.3%
- Body & structure22.2%
- Seat belts11.1%
- Driver assistance11.1%
- Tires & wheels11.1%
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
Having a strong smell of gasoline in my garage after filling. After the garage had aired out the next morning the same strong smell. There no warning lights
Fuel tank leaking Gas smell
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Passenger side air bag module will not arm the air bag system when any person sits in the seat. Have made multiple attempts to purchase the air bag presence module since June of 2022. Once with dealer, could not get the part, and two more times online. Each time I am told the part is on back order and they have no timeline as to when the part will become available. So I have a $86,000 Corvette that my wife or son cannot ride in because the air bag sensor is faulty.
Airbag light in the dashboard goes on and off intermittently. There is a lot of talk on the corvette forum of other people having the same issue. I'm concerned the airbag won't work if it's needed.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
My Corvette c6 model has had a longterm issue with the left fuel pump, which I was not made aware of by the local dealership servicing my vehicle or the manufacturer, General Motors. I recently discovered the fuel pump issue, which results in a significant fuel leak thru the bottom left side of the vehicle. GM and the dealership failed to notify me of this issue even though they issued a Special Bulletin that addresses the fuel pump issue and which advises dealerships to repair the vehicle at no cost to the owner - me. I have complained to General Motors and I'm currently awaiting their response to my complaint and request for assistance with the repairs. As of 9:00 am Pacific Time, December 9, 2024, I've received no response from GM. My concern and reason for this report is GM's failure and the dealership's failure to notify me, and failure to issue a recall for this significant and dangerous problem with my vehicle.
.The internet (Youtube and Corvette Forum) is full of horror stories about the engine valves breaking and dropping into the engine causing a catastrophic engine failure without warning. I was paranoid about driving the car for fear of an engine failure and averting an accident. After reading a plethora of horror stories about numerous LS7, 427 engine failures I felt anxious about driving my car and wanted to fix my engine ASAP and not a moment to soon!!!! I took my car to a shop to determine the condition of the valves and one intake had extensive play in the valve guide - .012" wobble from side to side vs a factory spec of .003". They didn’t check the other head but assuming the worse. I just have my heads refurbed at with only 6k miles on my vehicle. This resulted in me spending $5,350 dollar to remedy the defect before the engine failed and potentially causing an accident. ........this problem seems to be a manufactory defect potentially common to all 427/LS7s built between 2006 and 2013!!!!!
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THREE WHEELS HAVE CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE 2 ORIGINAL 20 INCH REAR WHEELS INSTALLED BY GENERAL MOTORS CRACKED, LEAKED AIR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW ONE OF THOSE REPLACEMENT WHEELS HAS CRACKED, LEAKS AIR AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. IN ALL CASES THERE HAVE BEEN NO EVENTS CONCURRENT WITH THE WHEELS LOSING AIR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TPMS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE "REAR TIRE LOW" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE-WAY CHEVROLET (4501 WIBLE RD, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93313, (661) 384-7578) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL HAD A HAIRLINE CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Service active handling and service traction control.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OEM KEYS WERE NOT CONNECTING ELECTRONICALLY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR OVER FIVE YEARS. THE DEALER (CRYSTAL CHEVROLET, 1035 S SUNCOAST BLVD, HOMOSASSA, FL 34448, (352) 436-4371) WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE FAULT NOT DETECTED WARNING MESSAGE WAS FLASHING. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE OEM MASTER KEY. AFTERWARDS, THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE, VARIOUS ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS FAILED, AND THE TRUNK FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED RANDOM INCIDENTS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DUE TO DEFECTIVE JOBS.*JB
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
FUEL LINE CONNECTION ON TOP OF FUEL PUMP CRACKED. VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AS MANY OTHER EXPERIEMCING THE SAME ISSUE.
service active handling/service traction control
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Automatic Transmission Shift Lever. Only inspection would be repair invoice. Shifter would not move. Then it finally moved but would only stop at Drive Location and Neutral Location. Would not go back to the Park position. The problem was confirmed and repaired at an independent service center. Problem components inspected and replaced by an independent service center. There were no warnings . Luckly the problem first appeared while car was parked in my garage
12000 MILES, ABRUPT AND TOTAL FAILURE OF CLUTCH SYSTEM WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON MAJOR HIGHWAY. FELT VERY VULNERABLE AND UNSAFE WHILE GETTING TO SAFE AREA. CAR HAS MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND I WAS SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD BUT COULD NOT. TOWED AND REPAIRED WITH SAME PART #(NORMAN FREED, HOUSTON, TX). AT 18000MI, RECEIVED A LTR FROM CHEV(SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT, NOT RECALL) THAT DESCRIBED MY FAILURE EXACTLY. GOT COPY OF DEALER INSTRUCTION(DOC ID 4261587, #14717) WHICH SAYS TO "REPLACE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER WITH A REVISED UNIT THAT IS MORE ROBUST(DIFFERENT PART #). SINCE I HAD ALREADY HAD THE FAILURE, I ASSUMED THAT THEY(BOB STEELE, SELLING DEALER, COCOA FL) WOULD REPLACE MY PART WITH THE MORE ROBUST ONE. THEY WOULD, BUT AT MY COST SINCE THIS WAS A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT-CLUTCH ACTIVATION SYSTEM, NOT A RECALL. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A UNACCEPTABLE PART, AND I AM CONSTANTLY AWARE AND WORRIED THAT I WILL HAVE ANOTHER ABRUPT AND TOTAL FAILURE. THE ALTERNATIVE IS TO PAY $674.75 TO HAVE THE "MORE ROBUST" INSTALLED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR LEGAL, MORAL OR ETHICAL REQUIREMENTS ARE, BUT SOMETHING IS CLEARLY WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE.
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
Service active handling and service traction control.
I BOUGHT THIS USED CORVETTE BACK IN THE SUMMER OF 2015. AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR I NOTICED VIBRATION PROBLEM AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MILES PER HOUR. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ONLY SHAKING ALL OVER THE PLACE. THE CAR WAS PHYSICALLY VIBRATING AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT BECAUSE IT ONLY HAD 1289 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A VIBRATION PROBLEM EARLY ON AND WAS CHECKED AT 570 MILES AT STEVE SCHMITT CHEVY BUT NEVER SAW IT AGAIN. THOUGHT ISSUE WAS FIXED. I BROUGHT CAR BACK TO BILL STASEK CHEVY WHERE I PURCHASED CAR WITH FULL WARRANTY AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT BY REPLACING 2 FRONT TIRES AND REBALANCING THE REAR TIRES.THEY DROVE IT AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. DROVE IT HOME AND IT WAS MUCH BETTER THAN BEFORE. SEVERAL WEEKS WENT BY AND ONCE AGAIN THE VIBRATION AND STEERING ISSUE RETURNED. SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND EXPLAINED THAT THE SAME VIBRATION PROBLEM HAD ONCE AGAIN RETURNED.THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID THE REPAIR VIA THE SERVICE BULLETIN THAT CAME OUT ON THAT VIBRATION ISSUE FROM GM.EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THAT WAS ALL THEY COULD DO AND THEY KNEW THERE IS A DEFECT IN THAT YEAR CAR BUT IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. SO HERE I SIT WITH A 76,000 DOLLAR CORVETTE WITH 5000 MILES ON IT AND A VIBRATION THAT KNOW ONE CAN OR WILL FIX.I CAN'T FIND THE SERVICE BULLETIN BUT THE MECHANIC WHO DID THE WORK ON MY CAR DID SHOW IT TO ME AT THE DEALERSHIP. I THINK SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS.I FEEL IT'S UNSAFE AND IF THE CAR IS BUILT WITH THIS KNOWN DEFECT IT SHOULD BE FINED OR AT LEAST RECALL ALL C-6 CORVETTES WITH THIS ISSUE. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE BECAUSE I GET I CORVETTE FORUM AND HEARD OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM AS WELL.
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
FUEL LINE CONNECTION ON TOP OF FUEL PUMP CRACKED. VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AS MANY OTHER EXPERIEMCING THE SAME ISSUE.
MAGNETIC SHOCKS ARE LEAKING AT ONLY 24,000 MILES. DEALER SAYS THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY AT OVER $400 PER SHOCK.
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
AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (30 TO 60 MINUTES), THE CENTER CONSOLE AREA IS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. I WOULD ONLY BE GUESSING AT THE TEMPERATURE OF THE CONSOLE WHEN IT IS SO HOT, BUT IT GETS SO UNCOMFORTABLY HOT, THAT I CANNOT KEEP MY HAND ON IT FOR MORE THAN JUST A FEW SECONDS! *TR
CENTER CONSOLE ON 2013 CORVETTE GRAND SPORT GRAND GETS VERY HOT WHEN DRIVING MORE THAN HALF HOUR. *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
PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. INTERMITTENT LOCKING OF SEATBELT NOTICED PRIOR TO INCIDENT ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATBELTS. FAILURE INDICATES THAT SEATBELT MECHANISM WILL NOT FUNCTION IN AN ACCIDENT AND COULD CAUSE INJURY OR A FATALITY. *TR
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
MAGNETIC SHOCKS ARE LEAKING AT ONLY 24,000 MILES. DEALER SAYS THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY AT OVER $400 PER SHOCK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
FAILURE BY GENERAL MOTORS TO DISCLOSE THAT THE OEM TIRES DELIVERED WITH A NEW 32013 CORVETTE GRAND SPORT ARE UNSAFE IF USED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 42 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. FAILURE TO CORRECT THIS DEFECTIVE CONDITION AFTER BEING PUT ON NOTICE AND REQUESTS FOR SAFE TIRES IGNORED. I KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM SO I CAN AVOID THE DANGER. YOU MUST RECALL ALL THESE CARS BECAUSE NOT ALL OWNERS ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM (I STUMBLED UPON IT BY ACCIDENT--IT IS DISCLOSED NO WHERE IS ANY SALES LITERATURE OR THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR THE CAR OR ANYWHERE ELSE THAT I AM AWARE OF AND I HAVE LOOKED AND ASKED CHEVROLET AND THEY IGNORED MY QUESTION) AND THEY TAKE THEIR LIVES AND THOSE OF INNOCENT BYSTANDERS IN THEIR HANDS IF THEY USE THE CAR BELOW 42 DEGREES F. WHERE I LIVE THAT IS 6 MONTHS OF THE YEAR. I HAVE EXTENSIVE CORRESPONDENCE WITH CHEVROLET IN WHICH THEY ADMIT THE PROBLEM EXISTS AND THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR IT SO I AM OUT OF LUCK AND INNOCENT PEOPLE WILL BE KILLED AND GM COULD CARE LESS. I WILL BE HAPPY TO SHARE THIS CORRESPONDENCE WITH YOU, AND ENCOURAGE IT. THIS IS ABSOLUTE UNMITIGATED ARROGANCE ION GM'S PART AND SHOWS A CALLOUS AND WILLFUL DISREGARD FOR THE LIVES OF THEIR INNOCENT PURCHASERS AND BYSTANDERS AND MUST BE STOPPED. *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 .