Dave68

Some of the earlier C5s did not have "some" of the "junk" but really, there are no stripper C5s compared to say, a Camaro of the same vintage, which is like a less-sophisticated Corvette.

Removing the electronic nannies may be possible but you'll have all kinds of codes, warning lights and sounds to constantly remind you that they are missing or disconnected.

Sinking

2002 Z06. I have had the car for 1.5 years and have put on 3k miles.

Repaired:
EBCM
Column lock
Broken Valve spring
Air pump shut off valve
Headlight gear
Oil pressure sensor
Sticking clutch
Leaking roof to door window seals
Head light gear.

Still to repair:
Dropped HUD
Horn contact
Replace fuel level sensor after many bottles of Techron.
Probable clogged passenger side fuel pump
LED's in HVAC controls
Rocking seat
No indicators until I jerk off the hazard lights
Just got a SECURITY light and B2721 while driving last night

I am pretty sure I have had more common issues. I have also repaired many other things that are not as common. This has definitely been my worst car maintenance wise. Good thing it is fun and cheap to fix.

Vettmann17

2002 Convertible w/74K, I am the original owner.

Headlight Gear (1)
Gas tank jet pump
Water pump
Leaking Diff gasket (twice)
Oil pressure sensor

And thats about it. For 9 years + and 74K I consider myself very lucky. This Vette is one of the best cars I've ever owned. For all the things GM got wrong in the past they made it up with the Corvette, just a very well made car.

P.S. The car is completly stock with exeptions to lighting.

Quick Draw

Leaky butt syndrome. Fixed under warranty.

I would try to buy an '02 or newer because of improvements on later models of the C5.

PTBradford

Fixed:
Column Lock relay
Oil Pressure Sender (lasted a week, about to do it again)
End Links
Rebuilt TPMS's

Issues:
Both window regulators
Fog Lights don't work
Intermittent drivers side door lock

Blitzkrieg

Only problems I got are the turn signal flasher, witch was just fixed and the doors with unlock with key fob, but they will not lock, other than that, I've had the car 4 years with no other problems!

RealmSteel

I've owned my car about 6 months or so, but I've done:

Harmonic dampener
A/C belt tensioner - probably went out due to bad harmonic dampener
Oil Pressure sensor
Air Check valves (Code P1416)

I've got a intermittent leak on the drivers window. If I roll the window down then back up after closing the door, it appears to stop.

hmong337

steering column lock
oil pressure sender
window electronics

so far, those seem like the most apparant. are they expensive fixes? the last thing i want is a car that costs a lot to keep functioning properly; which rather those monies could be used for mods.

powertrain, drivetrain, and suspension are all solid is what i belive. it's kind of a drag to hear that it's the little micky-mouse stuff that fails- getting "nickel & dimed".

keep the replies coming...

good info and feedback so far!!!

redrckt97

I have a 97 with 76k miles - daily driver. Had it 4 yrs. Only Major issue was the clutch slave cylinder failue -- very expensive to fix as the whole trans rear axle and torque tube has to come out.

Had other typical minor issues like gas gauge (techron keeps it working) and passenger window sticking (whack on the door "fixed" it)

Also had the column lock up - fixed under recall but $50 CLB would have prevented that.


GREAT 14 yr old car overall.

mundo

GROUNDS, C5 GROUNDS SUCK!Go over every ground and make sure it's making good connection and tight. Remove them and take a wire brush and clean them

R Devil

Bought new in 98 -

ECBM
Both mirror mounts failed
Gas gauge grimlins

Other than noted, it's been pretty trouble free.

hmong337

I searched about that on these forums too. Is there a viable solution to resolve the grounding issues? Like doing a big 3 upgrade or upgrading the thickness of major ground wires?

RealmSteel

It's not usually the gauge of the wire, but corrosion between the connector and the mounting surface.

smithm31

I have had my 01 Vert about 5 years. About a year ago I started having some electrical issues. The car sits sometimes for a month or more without being driven. I found that if I keep a battery tender hooked up most of my electrical issues have gone away. Letting the battery get weak causes all sorts of problems.

NewWorldBlues

How many are there, and how do we find them all?

NewWorldBlues

How do you clean them? Do you just use a contact cleaner? That's about all one can do, right?

NewWorldBlues

When an ECBM goes out, does it give an indication on the instrument panel? Or is it something you feel when your driving.

dankhts

mine's been a prett good car for the last 7 - 8 years, seems to go through a lot of rear tires though!

Oldvetter

1998 Coupe 135,000+ miles (daily driver), only 3 problems:

-one headlight gear

-one oil pressure sensor

-leak in plastic radiator fill tank

Has been my most reliable car !

Rob04C5LM

I definitely wouldn't "remove all that junk". "All that junk" was put in there by brilliant engineers who've forgotten more than most of us will ever know about making things work in cars. You're likely to create more problems by stripping electronic stuff out than you solve.

Perhaps you'd be happier with one of those great Toyota Prius things that NEVER have electronic issues - oh, wait, that's right...

I may be reading too deep into it, but your comment borders on racist, I hope that's not how you meant it.