Corvette Reliability?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Corvette Reliability?
I've been a fan of the Corvette for a while but haven't owned an American car since the 80s because foreign cars have been more reliable. I presently own an '01 Boxster S with low mileage but have read so many forum discussions about engine failures ($11k to replace) that I'm seriously considering a Vette.
What are the common problems for Vettes? I'm pretty handy with cars and can do most work myself. I presently use my car for commuting twice a week and autocrossing. I hope to get to the track this season.
Thanks,
Mickey
What are the common problems for Vettes? I'm pretty handy with cars and can do most work myself. I presently use my car for commuting twice a week and autocrossing. I hope to get to the track this season.
Thanks,
Mickey
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 35,976
Likes: 29
From: San Clemente California
Like anything else C5's do have some problems but nothing major. For the most part they are quite trouble free and hands down way better and faster then that Boxster. Go for it! Get the vette! 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 14,372
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis IN
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by DJN
Like anything else C5's do have some problems but nothing major. For the most part they are quite trouble free and hands down way better and faster then that Boxster. Go for it! Get the vette!
And just in case, it adds to peace of mind to have a warranty or extended warranty. I haven't had to use it in the two years I've had my Vette, but it's there if I need it. 
MONARTOR
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 249,072
Likes: 146
From: What I know, is dwarfed by what I pretend to know
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City Michigan
Get the vette...you'll love it. Problems vary from car to car, even of the same make and model. The C5 seems to be a pretty well built car with only some minor random glitches (rocking seat, column lock problem, etc.). For the most part, my vette has been trouble free and very reliable. 
Mike
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 14,372
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis IN
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by Grumpy
Every conceivable problem ever experienced with a C5 is listed in there. I would tell Poindex30 that the majority of C5's are worry/pain free. Good luck with your decision, I know I made the right one. 
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Thanks for the link. It has everything I need to know.
Every car has its problems and some are more annoying than others. The idea of an engine failing really has me worried about my Boxster. I only have another month to go on my warranty so I'll be test driving some cars soon.
Thanks for the information.
Every car has its problems and some are more annoying than others. The idea of an engine failing really has me worried about my Boxster. I only have another month to go on my warranty so I'll be test driving some cars soon.
Thanks for the information.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
How Likely Are These Five 2027 Corvette Rumors to Be True?
Brett Foote
9 Best Corvettes You Can Buy for Half Price (& 1 You Should NEVER Buy!)
Joe Kucinski
8 Very Best Corvettes of Amelia Island 2026
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 WORST Corvette Engineering Failures of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
10 Records the C8 Corvette Generation Has SMASHED (& 1 Glaring Failure)
Joe Kucinski
7 Wildest Corvette Concepts Ever Made
Brett Foote
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,451
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Originally Posted by KernelDee
I've seen this thread before and I have to tell you, if I had seen it while I was shopping for my Vette, I would have looked for something else. Every conceivable problem ever experienced with a C5 is listed in there. I would tell Poindex30 that the majority of C5's are worry/pain free. Good luck with your decision, I know I made the right one.
Every conceivable problem ever experienced with a C5 is listed in there. I would tell Poindex30 that the majority of C5's are worry/pain free. Good luck with your decision, I know I made the right one. That thread is great, tons of good info and help. In general though I would have to agree though that most C5's are reliable cars..this forum is great too..just remember that there are a lot of posts about problems here because there is so much info on the forum..most people do not post here just to say,,Hi drove my vette and everything is great..well at least most do not do that..some do
Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
corvettes are horribly unreliable .. you shouldn't purchase one.
mine has been nothing but issue after issue .. ... and after 50k .. i still can't wipe that smile from my face. 
all kidding aside .. 2003 & 2004 were very good model years. IMHO. Some earlier models had oil consuption issues, leaky rearends, column lock issues (all the way up to 2005), also the leather wears quickly
mine has been nothing but issue after issue ..
... and after 50k .. i still can't wipe that smile from my face. all kidding aside .. 2003 & 2004 were very good model years. IMHO. Some earlier models had oil consuption issues, leaky rearends, column lock issues (all the way up to 2005), also the leather wears quickly
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,479
Likes: 13
From: Dallas/Grand Prairie Texas
The newer the better. 
I wouldn't get one older then 02-03. I have used my warranty a few times. Mainly just little stuff I didn't feel like paying for.
The battery is an area I'd say you'll have issues with, besides that, just learn how to check the codes.
I wouldn't get one older then 02-03. I have used my warranty a few times. Mainly just little stuff I didn't feel like paying for.
The battery is an area I'd say you'll have issues with, besides that, just learn how to check the codes.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 366,679
Likes: 24,422
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
The primary problems that I have had with mine is the rear differential seals. Did have the rings replaced, but that is not a problem with all year C5's. Other than that, its been pretty reliable.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Let me give you my comparison:
· Upon receiving the car, I noticed a vibration on the way home, after two weeks of back-n-forth to the dealer, they finally replaced all 4 wheels & tires.
· At 1000 miles the windshield developed a one-foot long stress crack. Dealer replaced windshield.
· At 5000 miles the passenger side window wouldn’t go down. Dealer replaced ‘bad’ motor.
· Cruise control doesn’t work all the time. Dealer can’t figure it out.
· 25,000 miles transmission replaced. The replacement transmission was defective & was replaced.
· Various electrical problems, which required relays being replaced.
BTW...These were the problems with our 2004 Lexus RX330.
Now, as far as the Vette, the only problem is that silly grin I have EVERY time I drive it!
· Upon receiving the car, I noticed a vibration on the way home, after two weeks of back-n-forth to the dealer, they finally replaced all 4 wheels & tires.
· At 1000 miles the windshield developed a one-foot long stress crack. Dealer replaced windshield.
· At 5000 miles the passenger side window wouldn’t go down. Dealer replaced ‘bad’ motor.
· Cruise control doesn’t work all the time. Dealer can’t figure it out.
· 25,000 miles transmission replaced. The replacement transmission was defective & was replaced.
· Various electrical problems, which required relays being replaced.
BTW...These were the problems with our 2004 Lexus RX330.
Now, as far as the Vette, the only problem is that silly grin I have EVERY time I drive it!
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 35,976
Likes: 29
From: San Clemente California
Originally Posted by Sully C5
Let me give you my comparison:
· Upon receiving the car, I noticed a vibration on the way home, after two weeks of back-n-forth to the dealer, they finally replaced all 4 wheels & tires.
· At 1000 miles the windshield developed a one-foot long stress crack. Dealer replaced windshield.
· At 5000 miles the passenger side window wouldn’t go down. Dealer replaced ‘bad’ motor.
· Cruise control doesn’t work all the time. Dealer can’t figure it out.
· 25,000 miles transmission replaced. The replacement transmission was defective & was replaced.
· Various electrical problems, which required relays being replaced.
BTW...These were the problems with our 2004 Lexus RX330.
Now, as far as the Vette, the only problem is that silly grin I have EVERY time I drive it!
· Upon receiving the car, I noticed a vibration on the way home, after two weeks of back-n-forth to the dealer, they finally replaced all 4 wheels & tires.
· At 1000 miles the windshield developed a one-foot long stress crack. Dealer replaced windshield.
· At 5000 miles the passenger side window wouldn’t go down. Dealer replaced ‘bad’ motor.
· Cruise control doesn’t work all the time. Dealer can’t figure it out.
· 25,000 miles transmission replaced. The replacement transmission was defective & was replaced.
· Various electrical problems, which required relays being replaced.
BTW...These were the problems with our 2004 Lexus RX330.
Now, as far as the Vette, the only problem is that silly grin I have EVERY time I drive it!
You had me going there thought it was your C5 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 1
From: The problem with socialism is eventually the government runs out of other people's money
Originally Posted by Sully C5
Let me give you my comparison:
· Upon receiving the car, I noticed a vibration on the way home, after two weeks of back-n-forth to the dealer, they finally replaced all 4 wheels & tires.
· At 1000 miles the windshield developed a one-foot long stress crack. Dealer replaced windshield.
· At 5000 miles the passenger side window wouldn’t go down. Dealer replaced ‘bad’ motor.
· Cruise control doesn’t work all the time. Dealer can’t figure it out.
· 25,000 miles transmission replaced. The replacement transmission was defective & was replaced.
· Various electrical problems, which required relays being replaced.
BTW...These were the problems with our 2004 Lexus RX330.
Now, as far as the Vette, the only problem is that silly grin I have EVERY time I drive it!
· Upon receiving the car, I noticed a vibration on the way home, after two weeks of back-n-forth to the dealer, they finally replaced all 4 wheels & tires.
· At 1000 miles the windshield developed a one-foot long stress crack. Dealer replaced windshield.
· At 5000 miles the passenger side window wouldn’t go down. Dealer replaced ‘bad’ motor.
· Cruise control doesn’t work all the time. Dealer can’t figure it out.
· 25,000 miles transmission replaced. The replacement transmission was defective & was replaced.
· Various electrical problems, which required relays being replaced.
BTW...These were the problems with our 2004 Lexus RX330.
Now, as far as the Vette, the only problem is that silly grin I have EVERY time I drive it!
good one, that silly grin, nothin' but net
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 0
From: Redwood City Ca
I bought my '99 coupe brand new six years ago. It is my DD, and I'll tell you, it is the best and fastest street car I've ever owned. Very reliable, very fast, handles great, and I'm still smiling after six years.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
My coworker has a Boxster S and it has been the most reliable car he has ever owned (and he has had two Hondas). Currently, he has 30,000 miles on it. My Corvette has had a few issues - door lock modulator, column lock actuator, faulty horn, leaking diff seals, and warped rotors since 2001 (currently have 19,500 miles on er). However, for the price of each car, I'd have to say that my Corvette is a much better deal. Besides, once you get used to V8 torque, you never want to go back to 6-bangers!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,723
Likes: 1
From: VIETNAM 64/65-67/68 FL
Originally Posted by poindex30
I've been a fan of the Corvette for a while but haven't owned an American car since the 80s because foreign cars have been more reliable. I presently own an '01 Boxster S with low mileage but have read so many forum discussions about engine failures ($11k to replace) that I'm seriously considering a Vette.
What are the common problems for Vettes? I'm pretty handy with cars and can do most work myself. I presently use my car for commuting twice a week and autocrossing. I hope to get to the track this season.
Thanks,
Mickey
What are the common problems for Vettes? I'm pretty handy with cars and can do most work myself. I presently use my car for commuting twice a week and autocrossing. I hope to get to the track this season.
Thanks,
Mickey