C 5 Quality Issues
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 14
From: Honolulu, HI
My Corvette overall has been very reliable. I've put over 60k miles on it and had it ~10 yrs so far and let's see...
1. EBCM module repaired
2. PVC valve replaced which also caused leaky rear main seal later on.
3. Reverse lockout solenoid - Due to aftermarket shifter I think
4. New radiator cap.
5. Turn signal bulb
6. 2 battery replacements
That's it really, I've kept up maintenance with several Transmission, Radiator, Diff, Clutch fluid changes and 1 belt change.
The original clutch only had issues after I had it tuned and made 386rwhp.
I'm actually just now having to replace the ORIGINAL brakes, which I find most amusing.
1. EBCM module repaired
2. PVC valve replaced which also caused leaky rear main seal later on.
3. Reverse lockout solenoid - Due to aftermarket shifter I think
4. New radiator cap.
5. Turn signal bulb
6. 2 battery replacements
That's it really, I've kept up maintenance with several Transmission, Radiator, Diff, Clutch fluid changes and 1 belt change.
The original clutch only had issues after I had it tuned and made 386rwhp.
I'm actually just now having to replace the ORIGINAL brakes, which I find most amusing.
Last edited by dagon138; Jan 24, 2014 at 02:54 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
here we go.... well, All I can say is I have a 98 with 60,000 on it and love it. Need to do some minor little things like replace the lumbar cushion, got a pass window reg starting to go and prob going to replace the drivers seat foam soon. But the car is 16 years old things are going to wear out and over all the car looks and drives like it was 16 months old.
Funny thing is that you flat out admit to not doing any research before your purchase and want to compare a 15 year old cars reliability to a brand new 2014 I am pretty sure that there are going to be common things that fail on the 2014 vette or any 2014 vehicle come the year 2029. Who in their right mind goes out and buys a 15 year old car and doesn't expect to have to fix a few things here and there on it? Honestly it sounds like your issues are all very minor things except for the tranny which well who knows how it was maintained before you purchased the car. question though did you by the car with all these IMO little issues? I totally get the idea of not wanting to ever mess with or do anything more than change the fluids on a vehicle and if thats the case all you gotta do is sell off that thing you hate so much and go plop down $50-$60k minimum and gettcha a new one
Funny thing is that you flat out admit to not doing any research before your purchase and want to compare a 15 year old cars reliability to a brand new 2014 I am pretty sure that there are going to be common things that fail on the 2014 vette or any 2014 vehicle come the year 2029. Who in their right mind goes out and buys a 15 year old car and doesn't expect to have to fix a few things here and there on it? Honestly it sounds like your issues are all very minor things except for the tranny which well who knows how it was maintained before you purchased the car. question though did you by the car with all these IMO little issues? I totally get the idea of not wanting to ever mess with or do anything more than change the fluids on a vehicle and if thats the case all you gotta do is sell off that thing you hate so much and go plop down $50-$60k minimum and gettcha a new one
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 164
From: MA
Every internet forum you visit you'll find a whole laundry list of issues and complaints, doesn't matter year make or price paid.
Guys - I just bought a $50,000+ 2014 Sierra fully loaded, brand new. I have really no issues w/ mine other than bringing it in for a recall, know what the recall was? Not enough fuel getting to the cats while using remote start and idling, trucks were bursting in flames.
Also other members are complaining of:
rear sliding window failures
terrible FM radio reception (mine isn't good and is worse than my Z)
front seats rocking and clicking
pistons misfiring
sloppy/clunky transmission (there's a TSB)
high pitched noise from dash when in 4WD
trucks not turning over/starting
power steering failures
etc etc etc
This is on a wayyyy more advanced brand new more expensive vehicle that was just designed.
So basically, shut up about the C5.
Wanna feel even better about it? Google or look on a nissan GTR forum....
Guys - I just bought a $50,000+ 2014 Sierra fully loaded, brand new. I have really no issues w/ mine other than bringing it in for a recall, know what the recall was? Not enough fuel getting to the cats while using remote start and idling, trucks were bursting in flames.
Also other members are complaining of:
rear sliding window failures
terrible FM radio reception (mine isn't good and is worse than my Z)
front seats rocking and clicking
pistons misfiring
sloppy/clunky transmission (there's a TSB)
high pitched noise from dash when in 4WD
trucks not turning over/starting
power steering failures
etc etc etc
This is on a wayyyy more advanced brand new more expensive vehicle that was just designed.
So basically, shut up about the C5.
Wanna feel even better about it? Google or look on a nissan GTR forum....
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Metroplex TEXAS
Mine has had less issues than my 06 Super Duty. It does need attention though. I'm going to do the grounding fix before it becomes an issue. The headlight motors will get new gears this year also before they become an issue.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 164
From: MA
LOL I just purchased my C5 Z a couple weeks ago, put maybe 60 miles on it, and when I brought it home the passenger headlight motor went out, it only has 13,000 miles hahaha I expected it, to go, the question was when. I'm happy it happened right away because I have a 90 day warranty from the dealer I purchased it from, but I think the brass gears are a must do.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 167
From: Youngsville North Carolina
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,926
Likes: 30
From: Not where I want to be!!
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Metroplex TEXAS
LOL I just purchased my C5 Z a couple weeks ago, put maybe 60 miles on it, and when I brought it home the passenger headlight motor went out, it only has 13,000 miles hahaha I expected it, to go, the question was when. I'm happy it happened right away because I have a 90 day warranty from the dealer I purchased it from, but I think the brass gears are a must do.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,091
Likes: 17
I don't know where you got the "a year" figure, but it's going on two and over 17000 miles on this one. 17,000 miles on a 14 year old car is not insignificant. The first one, I owned and drove daily for over 30,000 miles, beginning at abotu 53,000 miles. I'm sorry you got a bad one, but that does not make my care and good experience with my cars (5 of them over the past 25 years, by the way) meaningless!!
If you are so unhappy with yours, go get something "superior" to these POS 'Vettes or quit your bitchin'!!!!!!!
Just my $0.02
DSTURBD
If you are so unhappy with yours, go get something "superior" to these POS 'Vettes or quit your bitchin'!!!!!!!
Just my $0.02
DSTURBD
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 707
Likes: 18
From: Reinholds PA
yeah, my 14 y.o. vette has had issue after issue since purchased used 9 years ago.
To the OP: check out my Lemon thread.These cars are lemons. A lot of engineering went into the big things, very little into the little things.
Rocking seat
battery acid leaking over the pcm
column lock
water leaking into the interior (badly)
parasitic battery drain
on and on...
I've had two vettes, both with less than 85k on the odo right now, and they are maintenance nightmares.
To the OP: check out my Lemon thread.These cars are lemons. A lot of engineering went into the big things, very little into the little things.
Rocking seat
battery acid leaking over the pcm
column lock
water leaking into the interior (badly)
parasitic battery drain
on and on...
I've had two vettes, both with less than 85k on the odo right now, and they are maintenance nightmares.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 4
From: Orange Park, Florida
here we go.... well, All I can say is I have a 98 with 60,000 on it and love it. Need to do some minor little things like replace the lumbar cushion, got a pass window reg starting to go and prob going to replace the drivers seat foam soon. But the car is 16 years old things are going to wear out and over all the car looks and drives like it was 16 months old.
Funny thing is that you flat out admit to not doing any research before your purchase and want to compare a 15 year old cars reliability to a brand new 2014 I am pretty sure that there are going to be common things that fail on the 2014 vette or any 2014 vehicle come the year 2029. Who in their right mind goes out and buys a 15 year old car and doesn't expect to have to fix a few things here and there on it? Honestly it sounds like your issues are all very minor things except for the tranny which well who knows how it was maintained before you purchased the car. question though did you by the car with all these IMO little issues? I totally get the idea of not wanting to ever mess with or do anything more than change the fluids on a vehicle and if thats the case all you gotta do is sell off that thing you hate so much and go plop down $50-$60k minimum and gettcha a new one
Funny thing is that you flat out admit to not doing any research before your purchase and want to compare a 15 year old cars reliability to a brand new 2014 I am pretty sure that there are going to be common things that fail on the 2014 vette or any 2014 vehicle come the year 2029. Who in their right mind goes out and buys a 15 year old car and doesn't expect to have to fix a few things here and there on it? Honestly it sounds like your issues are all very minor things except for the tranny which well who knows how it was maintained before you purchased the car. question though did you by the car with all these IMO little issues? I totally get the idea of not wanting to ever mess with or do anything more than change the fluids on a vehicle and if thats the case all you gotta do is sell off that thing you hate so much and go plop down $50-$60k minimum and gettcha a new one
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 4
From: Orange Park, Florida
You forgot:
Window Regulators
A/C Controllers going dim
ATC not working
ABS problems
Harmonic Balancers coming apart
Oil Pressure Switches
Fuel Gauge Senders
You either have to love driving it enough to endure the problems or give it up. I assure you, if you keep it long enough, you'll likely experience at least half of those problems.
Window Regulators
A/C Controllers going dim
ATC not working
ABS problems
Harmonic Balancers coming apart
Oil Pressure Switches
Fuel Gauge Senders
You either have to love driving it enough to endure the problems or give it up. I assure you, if you keep it long enough, you'll likely experience at least half of those problems.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 164
From: MA
You forgot:
Window Regulators
A/C Controllers going dim
ATC not working
ABS problems
Harmonic Balancers coming apart
Oil Pressure Switches
Fuel Gauge Senders
You either have to love driving it enough to endure the problems or give it up. I assure you, if you keep it long enough, you'll likely experience at least half of those problems.
Window Regulators
A/C Controllers going dim
ATC not working
ABS problems
Harmonic Balancers coming apart
Oil Pressure Switches
Fuel Gauge Senders
You either have to love driving it enough to endure the problems or give it up. I assure you, if you keep it long enough, you'll likely experience at least half of those problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 200
From: Atlanta GA
When you buy a used car that is 15 years old, you are bound to have issues.
It all depends upon how well it was cared for. I paid a little more for my 03 Z06 (no issues), but the previous owner was so ****, he kept meticulous records for every service, every accessory, in a nice plastic notebook. It was garage kept and babied. It shows and it goes.
It all depends upon how well it was cared for. I paid a little more for my 03 Z06 (no issues), but the previous owner was so ****, he kept meticulous records for every service, every accessory, in a nice plastic notebook. It was garage kept and babied. It shows and it goes.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
my 03 has been amazing machine with very little issues..and the ones that have came up I have addressed. my 94 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo was a also a great car, but it a ton of quality issues, so with any used performance car, your bound to have issues here and there, fix them drive the car and move on! and most of all enjoy it!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,686
Likes: 4,621
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I have zero issues with my '99 but I put all of the miles on it except for the first 1600. It depends on how it was treated and maintained before you bought it. When you buy a used car it doesn't matter what make model or year, what matters is the maintenance. Most of the cars here go hundreds of thousands of miles with little issue aside from normal wear and tear when maintained properly. There are some typical minor problems that plague the C5 such as column lock, headlight gears rocking seat among others but there are simple inexpensive fixes for them and most owners have already performed them. Sorry to hear that you got an uncared for car.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: northern ca
St. Jude Donor '14
I've had almost no issues with my 2004-48k miles. Plugs and oil so far,and the bezel on the HUD developed a crack a while back. I got a replacement but haven't tackled the job yet, and the clutch/throwout has the factory design flaw but I found that out the first few months I owned it. As long as I don't thrash it to hard it doesn't give me any grief 
Three years and counting...
Three years and counting...