Corvette Problems | Avoid These Year Models

By Max Anthony •  Updated: 05/08/21 •  7 min read

Car owners are always on the lookout for what’s new in the automotive world. One car that is getting a lot of attention lately is the Corvette. What people don’t know about this vehicle, though, is that there are some common Corvette problems drivers face.

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In This blog post, we will walk through some Corvette problems, the worst model years to avoid as well as the best Corvette years to buy.

Most Common Corvette Problems

Corvette Engine Problems

Corvettes are known for being both performance cars and American classics. It’s no wonder that many car owners dream of owning one someday. However, this dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if you don’t know what to expect when it comes to common Corvette problems.

Corvette Problems
2020 Corvette | Flickr

There are many different variations of Corvette engines, but the most common engine problems include failed or leaking head gasket, cracked heads and cylinders, worn timing chain.

The exhaust system is also a problem area for these vehicles. The catalytic converters may need to be replaced if they have been exposed to high levels of pollutants and the manifold in front of them will need repairs if it has cracks in it.

If you own a Corvette, then you know that this car is not just any ordinary vehicle. Its performance and design are high-end and require special care and attention when it comes to maintenance.

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 In the US, an average cost for engine repair on a corvette is between $1,500-$2,000 in labor costs alone. Additional parts may be needed depending on the problem with your Corvette engine so be sure to ask before you choose this option!

Corvette Transmission Problems 

Have you ever felt like your car’s transmission was slipping? Have you experienced a time when your engine revs but the car doesn’t move? If so, then you may be experiencing Corvette transmission problems.

Corvette transmissions are not as durable and reliable as other models of cars. Corvettes often experience slippage in the clutch, which causes jerky motion or stalling of the vehicle. The problem is usually solved by replacing parts that have worn out due to normal wear and tear.

Worst Corvette Model Years To Buy

C4 Corvette Years To Avoid

The C4 Corvette is one of the most sought-after cars in the world and with good reason. It’s a sleek, sexy car that has a lot to offer drivers. 

But not all C4 Corvettes are created equal – there are certain years you might want to avoid when buying your next Corvette.

If you’re looking to buy a Corvette, it’s important to know what years to avoid. The C4 Corvette was in production from 1984-1996 and there are many reasons why buying one of these cars is a bad idea. 

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For starters, the car didn’t come with power steering until 1987 when they added an air pump for it. This means that the car can be difficult to maneuver on rural roads or parking lots where there isn’t much space between cars. 

Secondly, the C4 has no emissions control system which means that if you live in an area with strict regulations this might not be your best choice of vehicle.

Four years stand out as being the worst for these vehicles: 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1990. The cars had some major design flaws including a lack of lateral support for the engine which could lead to an expensive repair if not fixed early enough.

C5 Corvette Years To Avoid

The C5 is a great car, no doubt about it. However, some years will be more reliable than others due to the changes in the design and engineering of these models.

Corvette Problems
C5 Corvette | Flickr

It’s not hard to tell when you’re looking at an ’04 or newer model because they all have the production date on them for everyone to see. 

But if you’re unsure then there are a few things that can help give you an idea of what year your Corvette may be from including how many miles are on it as well as any major modifications that were done during its lifetimes such as bodywork or paint jobs.

The 2002 model saw another big change with the introduction of a coil-on-plug ignition system which replaced the traditional distributor/coil system on previous models.

 This system was not very reliable and often caused frequent misfires due to its high voltage requirements as well as short life span – just 100K miles before needing replacement or repair.

Another C5 model to avoid is the 2003 model year. A study done by Edmunds.com surveyed over 15,000 C5 Corvettes from 1996-2004 and found out that there was a huge drop off in reliability starting with 2003 models. 

The number of breakdowns jumped from just 3% for all previous model years up to 8%. This means about 1 out of every 12 C5 Corvettes made in 2003 had some type of issue during the first 90 days on the road!

C6 Corvette Years To Avoid

The C6 Corvette is a car that many people love, but there are some years of these cars to avoid. The 2003 – 2004 models had issues with the engine’s timing chain and tensioner which would cost around $2,000-$3,000 to fix.

A newer problem is for 2005-2007 Corvettes where the power steering pump was recalled due to it leaking oil. This could leak enough oil into your brake system and cause an accident if not fixed in time.

Lastly, 2008-2013 C6 Corvettes have been recalled because of airbag problems caused by defective parts from Takata Corporation.

Is 2021 Chevy Corvette Worth Buying?

The 2021 Chevy Corvette is a car that you might want to consider if you’re looking for something new. It’s the latest from Chevrolet and offers some of the best performance, technology, and safety features on the market today.

A recent test has been conducted and it reveals that the 2021 Chevy Corvette is a reliable car. The study, which was conducted by Consumer Reports gave the Corvette an overall score of 83, which is on average for all cars in this category. 

 
 
 
 
 
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The reliability report also revealed some insights into how much replacement parts cost for different models of the Chevrolet Corvette. 

For example, a rear brake rotor costs about $150 to replace whereas a power steering pump costs about $600 to replace. 

These prices may seem high but they are relatively low when compared with other manufacturers’ vehicles as well as even similar American-made sports cars like the Dodge Challenger or Ford Mustang. 

Is Corvette A Reliable Car?

Is the Corvette a reliable car? It’s a question that we have all probably asked ourselves at some point in time. To understand the answer, let us first explore what makes for a reliable car.

The interior of the Corvette is well-designed and comfortable for long trips. It has cup holders in the front, back, center console area.

 
 
 
 
 
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You can use your cell phone without taking your hands off the wheel thanks to Bluetooth pairing with voice recognition technology. 

The seats are very comfortable and adjustable so they can fit any driver size or shape comfortably. There’s plenty of room on both sides as well as behind you to store luggage with no obstructions.

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Max Anthony

Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.