Corvette Reliability?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 555
Likes: 15
Corvette Reliability?
I bought this car under the assumption that they were pretty reliable but lately it's just been one headache after another... I bought the car with 48k and it was flawless till about 80k when it started falling apart. Since 80k I have gone through:
2 radiators
3 oil pressure senders
A/C system
windshield washer pump
valve spring failure
coolant overflow tank
leaf spring bolt failure
Interior vinyl splitting on doorpanels and center console
front emblem falling apart
HVAC control lights out
coolant temperature sensor
I might have forgotten a few things, and most recently I had some lifters fail which ground my camshaft up. I now have to have the bottom end rebuilt because the oil was full of metal. This has all ocurred in 8 months or so, and now after this latest incident it will be about $8k in maintenance and repair! What else can I look forward to replacing besides the clutch because I know that will come soon? The car has just over 100k now and I am really wanting to get rid of it as I have never had a car with so many problems! I have owned four BMWs before this car and never had any major mechanical problems whatsoever. Also they all had higher miles when I got rid of them- 176k, 93k, 144k, and 126k... Are these cars just not built to last or just cheapazz quality or what!?
2 radiators
3 oil pressure senders
A/C system
windshield washer pump
valve spring failure
coolant overflow tank
leaf spring bolt failure
Interior vinyl splitting on doorpanels and center console
front emblem falling apart
HVAC control lights out
coolant temperature sensor
I might have forgotten a few things, and most recently I had some lifters fail which ground my camshaft up. I now have to have the bottom end rebuilt because the oil was full of metal. This has all ocurred in 8 months or so, and now after this latest incident it will be about $8k in maintenance and repair! What else can I look forward to replacing besides the clutch because I know that will come soon? The car has just over 100k now and I am really wanting to get rid of it as I have never had a car with so many problems! I have owned four BMWs before this car and never had any major mechanical problems whatsoever. Also they all had higher miles when I got rid of them- 176k, 93k, 144k, and 126k... Are these cars just not built to last or just cheapazz quality or what!?
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Sorry for all the problems you are having - but there are many C5s that have been trouble free for well over 100K miles. Some of the problems you mention are fairly common - the oil pressure sensor and HVAC control lights in particular, but many of the others mentioned just seem like a string of bad luck. Hard to tell if anything else would go wrong, but it's just a decision you will have to make on whether to get rid of the car or not.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 661
Likes: 2
From: Ca.
The day I brought our vette home the flasher went out, causing turn signals not to work.
I have had the car for three months now, and have a broken memory track seat pivot bracket.
I just chalk it up to the Vette knowing I am a Ford person, and it is getting even with me.
I have had the car for three months now, and have a broken memory track seat pivot bracket.
I just chalk it up to the Vette knowing I am a Ford person, and it is getting even with me.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
From: Oradell New Jersey
i had a starter go at 76k as well as the oil pressure sensor, however that was turned into an LS6 intake install so i dont count it lol... other then some squeeky pullies das about it! ohh and the dam back tires keep wearing out
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
it seems like you are daily driving the car???? and maybe are a little rough on her???? i agree with others..there is more to this story then what you are telling..that is a lot to go wrong with one car ..maybe driving habits?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I'm unsure that your car issues have something to do with your environment.
2 radiators? I mean, really. Unless you're using really cheap parts...
Between my dads c5 vert and my 2 z06s, we've had very few issues.
2 radiators? I mean, really. Unless you're using really cheap parts...
Between my dads c5 vert and my 2 z06s, we've had very few issues.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I've had more issues with vettes than I have with any other cars I've ever had.
Some are trouble free, but the "common" issues are unaccaptable for a car like these. Like the oil sensor issues, the seat issues, the steering wheel lock, to name a few. Chalk it up to poor GM quality.
But for whatever reason I can't quit buying and driving them.
Some are trouble free, but the "common" issues are unaccaptable for a car like these. Like the oil sensor issues, the seat issues, the steering wheel lock, to name a few. Chalk it up to poor GM quality.
But for whatever reason I can't quit buying and driving them.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 555
Likes: 15
The car is an 02' Z06 and is daily driven, and is stock mechanically other than Borla Stingers and K&N filter. Is it not road-race or drag raced. If the Corvette is a sports car that can not handle being driven like one, then I will never get another one!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
for a car 9 years old I don't consider your issues too bad accept for the AC.
The oil sending sensor is a fubar common to the C5. It all depends on how well the car was maintained prior to you getting it as well.
The radiator being replaced twice is not the design of the car's fault, it sounds like a bad replacement part.
The bolt in the supsension is a little weird. But **** happens.
I doubt you have many more, if any more issues, as it seems you are taking care of issues as they come up. I could give you list of things I repaired on my 90 with 56K on it if it would make you feel better.
It's frustrating at times but your experience is not necessarily typical. IMO
Good luck to you. I've been there and trust me the frustration is short lived.
The oil sending sensor is a fubar common to the C5. It all depends on how well the car was maintained prior to you getting it as well.
The radiator being replaced twice is not the design of the car's fault, it sounds like a bad replacement part.
The bolt in the supsension is a little weird. But **** happens.
I doubt you have many more, if any more issues, as it seems you are taking care of issues as they come up. I could give you list of things I repaired on my 90 with 56K on it if it would make you feel better.
It's frustrating at times but your experience is not necessarily typical. IMO
Good luck to you. I've been there and trust me the frustration is short lived.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,364
Likes: 6
From: Rocky Mount Virginia
I bought this car under the assumption that they were pretty reliable but lately it's just been one headache after another... I bought the car with 48k and it was flawless till about 80k when it started falling apart. Since 80k I have gone through:
2 radiators - Why did these need replaced?
3 oil pressure senders - Got to get the brass one, not aluminum
A/C system - Recharged?
windshield washer pump - can do yourself
valve spring failure - broken springs?
coolant overflow tank - cracked I assume?
leaf spring bolt failure - unusual
Interior vinyl splitting on doorpanels and center console - Have you used any cleaners on them?
front emblem falling apart - never heard of this happen
HVAC control lights out - can solder yourself
coolant temperature sensor - normal to replace
I might have forgotten a few things, and most recently I had some lifters fail which ground my camshaft up. I now have to have the bottom end rebuilt because the oil was full of metal. This has all ocurred in 8 months or so, and now after this latest incident it will be about $8k in maintenance and repair! What else can I look forward to replacing besides the clutch because I know that will come soon? The car has just over 100k now and I am really wanting to get rid of it as I have never had a car with so many problems! I have owned four BMWs before this car and never had any major mechanical problems whatsoever. Also they all had higher miles when I got rid of them- 176k, 93k, 144k, and 126k... Are these cars just not built to last or just cheapazz quality or what!?
2 radiators - Why did these need replaced?
3 oil pressure senders - Got to get the brass one, not aluminum
A/C system - Recharged?
windshield washer pump - can do yourself
valve spring failure - broken springs?
coolant overflow tank - cracked I assume?
leaf spring bolt failure - unusual
Interior vinyl splitting on doorpanels and center console - Have you used any cleaners on them?
front emblem falling apart - never heard of this happen
HVAC control lights out - can solder yourself
coolant temperature sensor - normal to replace
I might have forgotten a few things, and most recently I had some lifters fail which ground my camshaft up. I now have to have the bottom end rebuilt because the oil was full of metal. This has all ocurred in 8 months or so, and now after this latest incident it will be about $8k in maintenance and repair! What else can I look forward to replacing besides the clutch because I know that will come soon? The car has just over 100k now and I am really wanting to get rid of it as I have never had a car with so many problems! I have owned four BMWs before this car and never had any major mechanical problems whatsoever. Also they all had higher miles when I got rid of them- 176k, 93k, 144k, and 126k... Are these cars just not built to last or just cheapazz quality or what!?
my first thought