2001 corvette with ongoing problems
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2001 corvette with ongoing problems
I bought my car a little over 2 years ago, it's a 2001 but at the time of purchase it only had 20,000 miles on it. It is been slowly falling apart since then. I have spent a lot of money on this car to keep it going. I had heard corvettes were tempermental in this way but figured I could deal with it because I loved the car so much. Everything from the trunk not opening properly to the rack and pinion, steering column and oil gauge has had to be replaced/repaired. These are only to name a few!!
Has anyone else experienced this? I love the way my car drives but it always always needs repairs. I need to spend another $1000 on it right now on just little things. Is this normal?
Has anyone else experienced this? I love the way my car drives but it always always needs repairs. I need to spend another $1000 on it right now on just little things. Is this normal?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
Read the main 'sticky' at the top for the most common things that are known oddities for the C5.
CLICK HERE TO READ COMMON PROBLEMS
If you are handy with your hands, many of these items are relatively easy fixes with lots of shortcuts, lots of links to others that have fixed them. Taking them ALL to a dealer to fix will cost you some big bucks.
Most are not that difficult with just an ordinary set of tools in your garage. Also, look for someone else in your area that can help of offer advice. We'll all here to help...
GOOD LUCK ------>
CLICK HERE TO READ COMMON PROBLEMS
If you are handy with your hands, many of these items are relatively easy fixes with lots of shortcuts, lots of links to others that have fixed them. Taking them ALL to a dealer to fix will cost you some big bucks.
Most are not that difficult with just an ordinary set of tools in your garage. Also, look for someone else in your area that can help of offer advice. We'll all here to help...
GOOD LUCK ------>
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 1
From: South of Indy
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Wow, that is a lot of repair money for a 20,000 mile car! Did you run a carfax on it before you bought it? Could someone have ran the odometer back or swapped it out for a low mileage one? 
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
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Mine had a few problems early on (oil consumption, leaking rear differential seals), but thankfully no problems for over 5 years now.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I really hate to say it, But if you had to put 8,000.00 into the car in the last 2 years just to keep it going you need to get rid of that car, 25k on my and still as tight as day 1.. Sorry for your troubles.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 5
From: Grafton WI
I bought a '98 in '03 and have not had any issues yet. (51k miles) Not one code has ever come up. I did put new brakes in it, but that was a set of drilled/slotted rotors and Hawk pads. The only repair that was not done as a "mod" was the drivers side power seat motor, which had to be replaced because the dealer chose to wash the car without closing the window all the way. Yes, the repair was done with no charge. All in all, my '98 has been one of most dependable cars I have ever owned. I had a '91 vert for several years prior to the C5, never any issues with that one either.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
From: BROOKLYN PARK MN
you would be amazed what you can do yourself with a little help. This fourm is all about helping each other out. Most of us here are not rich and really don't like to spend money on dumb stuff like repairs. Money is better spent on mods.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 158
Likes: 4
From: Arlington TX
Yeah. Thank goodness she's pretty! -because anything with a circuit on this car is amazingly terrible.
I'm glad I'm good with tools.
2001 bought in 05 with 35,000 miles. 70,000 now
Here is my list so far:
-Both door computers
-ECBM brake controller
-gas gauge won’t read over 7/8
-oil pressure gauge won’t read under 80psi
-power steering pump
-leaking rear end
-left front turn signal won’t work or even light up
-cat failure (replaced for free by gm)
-the seat rocks
-random grounding issues
-window washer motor stopped working
I'm glad I'm good with tools.
2001 bought in 05 with 35,000 miles. 70,000 now
Here is my list so far:
-Both door computers
-ECBM brake controller
-gas gauge won’t read over 7/8
-oil pressure gauge won’t read under 80psi
-power steering pump
-leaking rear end
-left front turn signal won’t work or even light up
-cat failure (replaced for free by gm)
-the seat rocks
-random grounding issues
-window washer motor stopped working
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 564
Likes: 7
From: New York NY
I've had mine new since 2001. I've also had every problem in the book. Some more than once! A good chunk of them were under warrantee but once 3 years past the probs kept on surfacing. I honestly wish I had the extended warrantee but I kept thinking that there was nothing else to repair. Boy was I wrong. I finally decided to mod it every time something went. Now I seem to have a very reliable 500hp vette. I'm sure I'm the only one with a more reliable 70k modded monster than when it was brand new. Its a good thing I love it or it would have been history a long time ago.
Extended warrantee if you still can.
Extended warrantee if you still can.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 1
From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont
Maybe I should keep my fingers crossed, but my 01 with around 50K miles has been what I think pretty good. It's had tires of course and:
battery, drivers door module relay replaced, replace terminal on the TAC module and assorted grounding issues.
Other than those, just the normal maintenance you'd expect.
RonJ ...
battery, drivers door module relay replaced, replace terminal on the TAC module and assorted grounding issues.
Other than those, just the normal maintenance you'd expect.
RonJ ...
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 0
From: Hopewell Junction NY
