View Poll Results: How Problem Prone is Your C5?
Voters: 240. You may not vote on this poll
A Poll: C5 Problems in a Year
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Region Ontario
In 8 months of ownership..........so far I'm not overly impressed.
1.Rocking seat issue
2.Column lock failure(in my driveway thank god)
3.TPS sensor failure
4.Headlight stalk switch replaced
5.Grinding into 4th gear(unknown cause)
6.Crazy gas gauge syndrome
7.Power seat lumbar support not working
8.Water leaks from targa top
9.New battery
It's funny cause I owned a 20 year old mustang for 4 years and only had to replace the rear brakes.
1.Rocking seat issue
2.Column lock failure(in my driveway thank god)
3.TPS sensor failure
4.Headlight stalk switch replaced
5.Grinding into 4th gear(unknown cause)
6.Crazy gas gauge syndrome
7.Power seat lumbar support not working
8.Water leaks from targa top
9.New battery
It's funny cause I owned a 20 year old mustang for 4 years and only had to replace the rear brakes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 10
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
02 Coupe. Owned 1.5 years. Problems:
1. chirping belts Fix: replaced belts.
2. service ABS/Traction control light on. Fix: had EBCM repaired.
Thats it other than all the money I've spent on modifications.
Thus far I love the car.
1. chirping belts Fix: replaced belts.
2. service ABS/Traction control light on. Fix: had EBCM repaired.
Thats it other than all the money I've spent on modifications.
Thus far I love the car.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
In 8 months of ownership..........so far I'm not overly impressed.
1.Rocking seat issue
2.Column lock failure(in my driveway thank god)
3.TPS sensor failure
4.Headlight stalk switch replaced
5.Grinding into 4th gear(unknown cause)
6.Crazy gas gauge syndrome
7.Power seat lumbar support not working
8.Water leaks from targa top
9.New battery
It's funny cause I owned a 20 year old mustang for 4 years and only had to replace the rear brakes.
1.Rocking seat issue
2.Column lock failure(in my driveway thank god)
3.TPS sensor failure
4.Headlight stalk switch replaced
5.Grinding into 4th gear(unknown cause)
6.Crazy gas gauge syndrome
7.Power seat lumbar support not working
8.Water leaks from targa top
9.New battery
It's funny cause I owned a 20 year old mustang for 4 years and only had to replace the rear brakes.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 6
From: Arroyo Grande CA
I had 3 issues in the 1st year(2000):
* Loose frame ground, Vette wouldn't run
* Passenger seat belt
* Column Lock
All corrected/repaired expertly by my local Chevrolet dealer. Haven't had any issues since.
* Loose frame ground, Vette wouldn't run
* Passenger seat belt
* Column Lock
All corrected/repaired expertly by my local Chevrolet dealer. Haven't had any issues since.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,181
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
2003 AE convertible for 2 years, not even the smallest problem.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: studio city ca
100K on a 04 coupe, A4. no engine mods. front spring broke, replaced cam and crank sensors, weather stripping replaced. some problems with the steering sensor, caused problems with the traction control warnings. 2 tire monitors.
-bmb
-bmb
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,297
Likes: 24,776
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
No problems for mine in the past 4 years. 
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 19,686
Likes: 523
From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'12 thru'22
New battery,serpentine belt,new tires,column lock fix.
That was 3 years ago,nothing else but,routine maintenance
and modding since then.
That was 3 years ago,nothing else but,routine maintenance
and modding since then.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 3
From: Iowa City Iowa
5 years, one issue!
Only had an axle seal leak in the 5 years I've owned my 2000 vert and it was covered by the extended warrany. It has 62K miles and I've put 26K miles on it since I've owned it---great car, looking for many more years of enjoyment with it!
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 619
Likes: 2
From: Destin FL
Bought a 2002 Coupe with 19K mile in 2005.
First year (+ 13K miles):
EBCM replaced
Cracked wheel - new Z06 replicas (didn't mind that one)
HVAC module replaced - my fault, shorted it out doing LED mod
redid PRND321 lights 4 times - my fault again.
Last year ( + 13K more miles):
redid HVAC and IPC lighting - issues with aftermarket gauges/lights
AIR pump check valve replaced - DIY fixed
Battery acid destroyed vacuum line - DIY fixed
Normal wear and tear:
New tires
Battery
Oil change on DIC command (usually at 5%)
$1,000,000,000 in gas (seems like it).
Existing problems:
Rocking seat.
HID conversion for headlight/foglight (I consider the OEM headlights a severe design flaw).
B2605 seat limit switch failure - nobody on CF knows how to fix this.
I've spent ALOT more $$$ on modding the car than maintenance/repair.
First year (+ 13K miles):
EBCM replaced
Cracked wheel - new Z06 replicas (didn't mind that one)
HVAC module replaced - my fault, shorted it out doing LED mod
redid PRND321 lights 4 times - my fault again.
Last year ( + 13K more miles):
redid HVAC and IPC lighting - issues with aftermarket gauges/lights
AIR pump check valve replaced - DIY fixed
Battery acid destroyed vacuum line - DIY fixed
Normal wear and tear:
New tires
Battery
Oil change on DIC command (usually at 5%)
$1,000,000,000 in gas (seems like it).
Existing problems:
Rocking seat.
HID conversion for headlight/foglight (I consider the OEM headlights a severe design flaw).
B2605 seat limit switch failure - nobody on CF knows how to fix this.
I've spent ALOT more $$$ on modding the car than maintenance/repair.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 638
Likes: 1
From: Bainbridge Island Wa
Just a short list. If you haven't these problems, you will.
1.Steering colum lock failure
2. Wheel bearing failure
3.Complete electrical system failure (grounds)
4. ECM failure
5. ABS module failure
6. Active handling module failure
7. Steering wheel position module failure
8.Cooling fan failure (three)
9. AC compressor exploded
10. HVAC control panel light failure
11. Rocking seat
12. Daytime running lights break every time it rains
13. Oil pressure sending unit failure
14. Coolant surge tank failure
15. Power windows stick
16. Tire pressure sensors fail
17. Power seat memory failure
18. Assorted parts fall off of the interior
19. Tail light fell out
20. exterior temperature sensor failure
21. drivers side outside rear view mirror won't stay in place
22. Ac drive belt makes noise
23. HVAC door actuators won't actuate
24. alternator failure
25, water pump failure
This doesn't cover it all. It is a 2002 that I bought new, never been wrecked and , unless the dealer did it in the first 10 miles, its never been under water.
1.Steering colum lock failure
2. Wheel bearing failure
3.Complete electrical system failure (grounds)
4. ECM failure
5. ABS module failure
6. Active handling module failure
7. Steering wheel position module failure
8.Cooling fan failure (three)
9. AC compressor exploded
10. HVAC control panel light failure
11. Rocking seat
12. Daytime running lights break every time it rains
13. Oil pressure sending unit failure
14. Coolant surge tank failure
15. Power windows stick
16. Tire pressure sensors fail
17. Power seat memory failure
18. Assorted parts fall off of the interior
19. Tail light fell out
20. exterior temperature sensor failure
21. drivers side outside rear view mirror won't stay in place
22. Ac drive belt makes noise
23. HVAC door actuators won't actuate
24. alternator failure
25, water pump failure
This doesn't cover it all. It is a 2002 that I bought new, never been wrecked and , unless the dealer did it in the first 10 miles, its never been under water.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Problems? I've had a few!
Lets see in the last 12 months. Headlight motor drivers side.
Transmission, clutch and shift rod linkage. 6spd manual
Drivers door switch
and a wiring problem I haven't been able to figure out!
To the cars credit I bought it new when I was in college and have driven it hard for 128,000 miles and just started having problems when I got to 80k miles and that was the known steering column lock problem and a leaking seal on the motor.
The biggest problem prior to the tranny and wiring problems was paying for a new set of tires every 6 months! lol
Even though I am a little upset with my car right now, I still love her and I'm glad I've had here and well never get rid of her!
Transmission, clutch and shift rod linkage. 6spd manual
Drivers door switch
and a wiring problem I haven't been able to figure out!
I have a 98 convertible and I'm having some weird problems. I have had a few intermittent electrical problems in the past where when I'd be driving down the road every idiot light on the dash would come on, all the gauges would go down to nothing. The radio and the windows quit working. This problem would happen and then 5 miles or so later they'd all come back on and work like normal. The display would also flash reduced power and service engine soon however it didn't feel like power had been reduced.
Now I just replaced the tranny and didn't mess with any of the wiring however the battery was disconnected for a couple months. We put a new battery in and the car won't crank! All the dash lights are on, the dummy lights that is. The windows won't operate. The doors well unlock but they won't lock. We have no power to the radio and the hatch release for the convertible top isn't working. I remember that way back when when I would be driving and having these problems I would open the drivers door and slam it and the problem would go away. I did try slamming the door and that doesn't help now! I also cleaned the ground and terminals inside of it on the drivers side a pilliar and it looked fine. Whats wrong with my car? Any help would be much appreciatted! By the way the car well start if you jump it on the starter and the voltage and load tests on the battery are fine. I also tried plugging my scan tool into the car and it says vehicle not responding so its not communicatting! Thanks again!
Now I just replaced the tranny and didn't mess with any of the wiring however the battery was disconnected for a couple months. We put a new battery in and the car won't crank! All the dash lights are on, the dummy lights that is. The windows won't operate. The doors well unlock but they won't lock. We have no power to the radio and the hatch release for the convertible top isn't working. I remember that way back when when I would be driving and having these problems I would open the drivers door and slam it and the problem would go away. I did try slamming the door and that doesn't help now! I also cleaned the ground and terminals inside of it on the drivers side a pilliar and it looked fine. Whats wrong with my car? Any help would be much appreciatted! By the way the car well start if you jump it on the starter and the voltage and load tests on the battery are fine. I also tried plugging my scan tool into the car and it says vehicle not responding so its not communicatting! Thanks again!
The biggest problem prior to the tranny and wiring problems was paying for a new set of tires every 6 months! lol
Even though I am a little upset with my car right now, I still love her and I'm glad I've had here and well never get rid of her!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 579
Likes: 1
From: Kennesaw GA
St. Jude Donor '10
WOW glad I didn't purchase my 04 where some did.... 04 CE 38,000 miles DD and track, both straight line and road course. NO CODES only "change oil" and three sets of tires...........
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 81
From: Florence SC
St. Jude Donor '12
I've only had this C5 for about 7 months and the only problems I have had is sometimes the drivers side window doesn't want to roll up and also sometimes the drivers door will not unlock with the fob...probably is related somehow.
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: New River AZ
I've had alot more problems than I signed up for.
Colum lock left me stranded at a football game.
Axle leaks and trans leaks cost over $1000 to fix.
Seat rocks.
Turn signals work sometimes.
Wipers keep blowing the fuse.
Steering wheel squeks.
Rear suspension squeks.
Its a 2000 with 75,000 miles.
Colum lock left me stranded at a football game.
Axle leaks and trans leaks cost over $1000 to fix.
Seat rocks.
Turn signals work sometimes.
Wipers keep blowing the fuse.
Steering wheel squeks.
Rear suspension squeks.
Its a 2000 with 75,000 miles.