Concern
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 69
From: Albany GA
Concern
This is a great site but I have to say after reading all the different problems the covettes have I am a bit concerned. 5 to 10 year old cars and I read a lot of post about gas leaks, traction and abs, soldering wires because door lock and windows don't work, cleaning grounds, torn seats, new ignition switches and many more. My concern is that I hear these are common problems. Are these really common problems are just a few had problems and came to this site for help? I have a 99 vert and this site has been very helpful but for an 11 year old top of the line American Sportscar there should not be this many common/type problems?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
This is a great site but I have to say after reading all the different problems the covettes have I am a bit concerned. 5 to 10 year old cars and I read a lot of post about gas leaks, traction and abs, soldering wires because door lock and windows don't work, cleaning grounds, torn seats, new ignition switches and many more. My concern is that I hear these are common problems. Are these really common problems are just a few had problems and came to this site for help? I have a 99 vert and this site has been very helpful but for an 11 year old top of the line American Sportscar there should not be this many common/type problems?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
11 year old cars were once consider ready for the junk pile. The C-5 Corvette has many examples of going well over 150,000 miles with few major problems. The key here is 'major problems'. Yes we see many C-5s
with similar problems, however, keep in mind that Corvette owners tend to congregate and discuss happenings with thier cars. some problems are somewhat self induced (gas guage and grounding) Some are poor design such as column lock. The severity of these problems is also somewhat subjective, some live with the gas guage problem, some use techtron, and some spend the bucks to replace the unit. (this problem is caused by using cheap gas).
Things wear out in cars, 11 years is certainly not a new car, drive your car and enjoy it, if it gives too many problems, buy something else.
with similar problems, however, keep in mind that Corvette owners tend to congregate and discuss happenings with thier cars. some problems are somewhat self induced (gas guage and grounding) Some are poor design such as column lock. The severity of these problems is also somewhat subjective, some live with the gas guage problem, some use techtron, and some spend the bucks to replace the unit. (this problem is caused by using cheap gas).
Things wear out in cars, 11 years is certainly not a new car, drive your car and enjoy it, if it gives too many problems, buy something else.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 6
From: Georgetown Texas
It's all relative. People who don't have any serious problems with their Vettes have no reason to post problems. Believe me there are way more without problems than with. These are dependable and surprisingly practical cars to own. My Z06 gets better mileage than the company Scion I drive at work sometimes.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,093
Likes: 267
From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
I agree it times to crush em!
Joking.
My 99 just has minor things once in a while. They're a little annoying, but with this forum you can fix everything pretty easily. Someone is always willing to help!
If you want trouble buy a 99 Camaro. I can't keep mine on the road!!
Joking.
My 99 just has minor things once in a while. They're a little annoying, but with this forum you can fix everything pretty easily. Someone is always willing to help!
If you want trouble buy a 99 Camaro. I can't keep mine on the road!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 6
From: Oilerville Edmonton
St. Jude Donor '08
we get a post like this monthly (that might be an exageration). what you need to remember is that when you see "a lot" of posts about problems, they are only a small proportion of the general membership here. all cars have problems. mine has only had one of the major c5 problems and thanks to the forum, I repaired it on the cheap by myself. don't hesitate to buy an 11 year old c5. make sure you buy a well maintained car and it will be very reliable. and if something breaks, you have unlimited resources here to help you fix it. you won't find a better bang for your buck. 
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 1
From: Port Orchard WA
It just seems that way because there are SO MANY vette owners countrywide on here and they share their issues here and learn from them here... A forum full of nothing but "hey another day with no issues, or working fune still" would be awefully boring..i have a 2000 with just over 80k, only ONE MINOR issue so far... (knock on wood, damn i just did it to myself lol)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 69
From: Albany GA
It just seems that way because there are SO MANY vette owners countrywide on here and they share their issues here and learn from them here... A forum full of nothing but "hey another day with no issues, or working fune still" would be awefully boring..i have a 2000 with just over 80k, only ONE MINOR issue so far... (knock on wood, damn i just did it to myself lol)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
So what's your beef? No 2 experiences are the same, your mileage may vary! Pick any 10 year old car, especially daily drivers and you'll find something wrong. Bet your 11 year old car got pretty amazing mileage on the road too.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,352
Likes: 5,240
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
The entire run of C5's are extremely reliable, especially considering their age. I had no problems in 3 years with my previous 98. In 2 years with my 02 I had only the leaky rear end. I had far more reliability issues with my BRAND NEW C6 than both of them put together.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 161
Likes: 14
From: Rockwall Texas
In the case of my cars and my freinds cars, we track them and beat them to hell. They should have alot more problems than they do. I drive my truck like an old truck and, go figure, it doesnt have many problems. It also doesnt get the gears run through at red line everytime I start it. The Vette... gets used
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: SW FL
Like others have said, a car of that age is going to have problems regardless of the make or model. But preventative maintenance and keeping up with the DIY/FAQ postings on common problems can help you keep an eye on potential or upcoming issues. It's like the news, you always hear about the negative stories but hardly ever hear about the positive ones 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 3
From: Iowa City Iowa
What did you expect to find on a forum? It's about owners helping owners. It's exactly why I joined this forum, I'm looking for the answers to any issues I might have. It's typical of any Forum you go to, believe me. The forum I belong to for my Tiffin motorhome would send any uninformed individual running away from that brand in 5 minutes of reading it. Yet, it's generally viewed as the best product on the market for customer service, best value, and one of the most reliable units you can buy.
The best way i can describe it is---those that have issues post here, those that don't, DON'T! Out of all the C5's out there, those posting are a VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE!!!!!
The best way i can describe it is---those that have issues post here, those that don't, DON'T! Out of all the C5's out there, those posting are a VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE!!!!!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 681
Likes: 11
From: Carson City MI
Corvette owners are car guys (and of course gals). We drive em and sometimes abuse them. We often create our own problems. You will find as many posts about mods as you will issues. And sometimes those mods create the issues. If this were the Buick Forum you would not see nearly as many posts with problems cause they would just take it to the dealer and pay the big bucks. We tend to take these cars more personally.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 35
From: Garfield Heights (AKA:Garbage Hts.) Ohio USA
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Oldtimer
I adopted my '99 vert in 2002 and have had very few problems other than what I caused. According to my vehicle history most problems were corrected before I bought it.
Thanks to this Forum I'm a modaholic and with everything I've replaced I'll end up with a new 11 year old vehicle.
Thanks to this Forum I'm a modaholic and with everything I've replaced I'll end up with a new 11 year old vehicle.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
1.) C5 is the new C4; 2 years ago, the C4s were 'this is broke, that is broke'. Now, the C4 has been fixed or junked. The C5 is now entering an age to be just that, aged. If it wasn't for this place, I would never dream of owning a 12 year old or 18 year old car, always had new and when the 3 year warranty was up, another new car.
2.) The C5 is easy to work on, much easier than the C4, and even better, we can steal some great upgrade parts from the C6
3.) The C5 main components, engine, tranny, rear end and most important electrical issues (that keeps the car running) are overall very good quality and you'll see very few threads on 'my motor blew up!'
4.) Ferrari owners have problems, they just don't get on a forum and try to fix it themselves, they spend $8000 for a tune up and brake job.
5.) Seen any Yugos lately?
2.) The C5 is easy to work on, much easier than the C4, and even better, we can steal some great upgrade parts from the C6
3.) The C5 main components, engine, tranny, rear end and most important electrical issues (that keeps the car running) are overall very good quality and you'll see very few threads on 'my motor blew up!'
4.) Ferrari owners have problems, they just don't get on a forum and try to fix it themselves, they spend $8000 for a tune up and brake job.
5.) Seen any Yugos lately?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
I bet your Vette not only runs & drives great but also looks as good as it came off the assembly line, well over A DECADE AGO!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 0
From: upstate N.Y.
1.) C5 is the new C4; 2 years ago, the C4s were 'this is broke, that is broke'. Now, the C4 has been fixed or junked. The C5 is now entering an age to be just that, aged. If it wasn't for this place, I would never dream of owning a 12 year old or 18 year old car, always had new and when the 3 year warranty was up, another new car.
2.) The C5 is easy to work on, much easier than the C4, and even better, we can steal some great upgrade parts from the C6
3.) The C5 main components, engine, tranny, rear end and most important electrical issues (that keeps the car running) are overall very good quality and you'll see very few threads on 'my motor blew up!'
4.) Ferrari owners have problems, they just don't get on a forum and try to fix it themselves, they spend $8000 for a tune up and brake job.
5.) Seen any Yugos lately?
2.) The C5 is easy to work on, much easier than the C4, and even better, we can steal some great upgrade parts from the C6
3.) The C5 main components, engine, tranny, rear end and most important electrical issues (that keeps the car running) are overall very good quality and you'll see very few threads on 'my motor blew up!'
4.) Ferrari owners have problems, they just don't get on a forum and try to fix it themselves, they spend $8000 for a tune up and brake job.
5.) Seen any Yugos lately?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 69
From: Albany GA
Actually better with the new seat skins/cushions, fresh black paint buffed and c6 wheels with new tires. Thanks for the reassuring responses, this site has been very helpful.