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Looking at buying a 2003 Z06 with 50K miles, I briefly had a 2001 base model that would slip out of second at lights and when leaving from a stop. I was told this was a common problem with that year do to a failing plastic piece associated with the shifter/transmission.
So I guess my question is are there any known issues with the 2003 Z06s or anything in particular I should be looking for?
any input is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance
My 03 ZO6 essentially has been problem free. I have 61,000 miles on it and I just had the valve springs replaced as a precautionary, and I replaced all the cooling system hoses at the same time. Other than routine maintenance I only had to replace the battery a couple of times.
I bought the GMPP warranty plan and never had to use it or the factory warranty.
My memory's poor, but I think at ~60,000 miles an idler pulley went bad. At 86,000 the clutch went out and the harmonic dampener was going too. I've claimed my GMEPP for the dampener and a leaking half-shaft (~93,000). Still have 6 months and 24,000 miles left on the warranty.
I've had the "dreaded" AH/TC DIC error message "engine power reduced" because of a bad brake position sensor cable. (I think that's what it's called. It's a $140 [OEM price] cable that went bad. I replaced it myself and saved the labor; I was on the road so I paid the OEM dealer price. If I was at home it would have cost me ~$40 as a part-out cable from Vettenuts or Gene Culley. That happened at ~40,000 miles, and I couldn't be sure it was an OEM problem; it looked like the cable had been dragged on the ground til it broke, or rats got to it.) No other problems; I'm at 101,000 miles and am completely happy with it.
Oh, I forgot to mention, the late 2002 and early 2003 had bad valve springs. You will need to replace them before you have a problem and ruin the engine.
Replacing the valve springs are not that expensive.
Oh, I forgot to mention, the late 2002 and early 2003 had bad valve springs. You will need to replace them before you have a problem and ruin the engine.
Replacing the valve springs are not that expensive.
Dunno how I forgot that too! Yes, replace the springs "immediately"--a failure would be disastrously expensive and the 02s and 03s have a documented history of faulty OEM valve springs. It oughta be the first thing you do after you take possession.
While you're at it, and if funds are 'loose', see if you can find a used BCM (for your model year--I think it's pre-2001s that are different from 2002+); they rarely go bad, but if they do... They're no longer made, and new ones (IF you can find them) go for ~$700. Par for a used one is $100 shipped.
My car, a 2003 Z06, so far has been good. I bought it with the abs issue and my drivers door wont LOCK with the key fob. It unlocks no problem, just doesnt lock.
I also did valve springs, which lead me to cam etc...
Other than what ive mentioned, no probs.
when I was in the market to buy a Z, I read that common problems are,
-steering lock
-abs
-clutch pedal sticking to floor (search Ranger)
-oil pressure sensor
-water leakage into cabin
-headlight motors/gears
and that about it.
Good luck with purchase, your gonna love that car...
Dunno how I forgot that too! Yes, replace the springs "immediately"--a failure would be disastrously expensive and the 02s and 03s have a documented history of faulty OEM valve springs. It oughta be the first thing you do after you take possession.
While you're at it, and if funds are 'loose', see if you can find a used BCM (for your model year--I think it's pre-2001s that are different from 2002+); they rarely go bad, but if they do... They're no longer made, and new ones (IF you can find them) go for ~$700. Par for a used one is $100 shipped.
All c5z's are relatively problem free for the most part.
Like everyone mentioned, replace the valve springs right away, or at least check to be sure they've been replaced.
Also, late 03's and all 04's had a known fuel crossover pipe failure that can be extremely expensive to fix if it hasn't already been done. You need to find out if your car has the early fuel system or the later system, and see if it's been fixed if it's the later system. If not, use it to haggle on the price a bit.
Besides that, everything else is just as reliable as any 01+ c5, and is prone to all the same issues such as harmonic balanced wobble, column lock issues (easy fix, just buy an lmc5), leaking rear end, oil pressure sending unit failure, and several others. May seem like a long list but most are cheap and easy to fix.
Problems other then listed above: Way to fast, handle far better then most, never needs anything but gas and oil, often have a loose nut behind the wheel, and they sell for way to little. Should sell for twice as much....
Problems other then listed above: Way to fast, handle far better then most, never needs anything but gas and oil, often have a loose nut behind the wheel, and they sell for way to little. Should sell for twice as much....
Looking at buying a 2003 Z06 with 50K miles, I briefly had a 2001 base model that would slip out of second at lights and when leaving from a stop. I was told this was a common problem with that year do to a failing plastic piece associated with the shifter/transmission.
So I guess my question is are there any known issues with the 2003 Z06s or anything in particular I should be looking for?
any input is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance
A couple I can think of that haven't been mentioned:
1. Water leaks seem to be pretty common. I had to reseal both door rain gutters as I was getting a puddle of water behind the seat everytime it rained. Usually this is very easy to fix but can be time consuming.
2. Door lock, unlock, and window up and down relays commonly go out. There is a module in the doors that has 4 relays. One relay each controls the lock, unlock, window up and window down functions. The module is not cheap; $400 or $500 if I remember correctly. But it is pretty easy to just repair the module by replacing the relays. A little bit of solder removal and replace the relay. Cost is about $1.65 for a relay.
[QUOTE=Moto One;1596098067]Problems other then listed above: Way to fast, handle far better then most, never needs anything but gas and oil, often have a loose nut behind the wheel, and they sell for way to little. Should sell for twice as muc
Problems other then listed above: Way to fast, handle far better then most, never needs anything but gas and oil, often have a loose nut behind the wheel, and they sell for way to little. Should sell for twice as much....
Mark
^^^This and then some! A frickin race car, that sounds and drives like one! Are nice 'problems' to have!
Last edited by Lingenfelter; Dec 3, 2017 at 11:47 PM.
I love my car but I truly dislike the GM electronics on this car:
Fuel gauge goes to empty at random times, regular SeaFoam fixes
Active Handling “warming up”
Pull key wait 10 seconds... goes into limp mode - major issue that GM tried 3 times to fix. Look to aftermarket for solutions.
ABS module failure
Burns quart of oil in less than 1,000 miles
Torque Tube / throw out bearing / or something similar rattles
I love my car but I truly dislike the GM electronics on this car:
Fuel gauge goes to empty at random times, regular SeaFoam fixes
Active Handling “warming up”
Pull key wait 10 seconds... goes into limp mode - major issue that GM tried 3 times to fix. Look to aftermarket for solutions.
ABS module failure
Burns quart of oil in less than 1,000 miles
Torque Tube / throw out bearing / or something similar rattles
I love my car but I truly dislike the GM electronics on this car:
Fuel gauge goes to empty at random times, regular SeaFoam fixes
Active Handling “warming up”
Pull key wait 10 seconds... goes into limp mode - major issue that GM tried 3 times to fix. Look to aftermarket for solutions.
ABS module failure
Burns quart of oil in less than 1,000 miles
Torque Tube / throw out bearing / or something similar rattles
Thanks, funny thing is I had the same problem with the fuel gauge on my 2007
04 Z06 w/40k miles here. I do a TON of preventative maintenance (because I think its fun) and what I recommend is this:
Flush all fluids. (use full synthetic in a M6 trans)
Add a spacer to the shift detent (I think people call it anti-venom?)
Beyond that.. just look for maintenance items.
The only thing I've even had fail was the original belt broke when I was driving. I was surprised at that because it appeared to be in good shape.
I had to have an electronic module replaced on my 03 ZO6 that sends A/C to both sides of the cockpit (@ 61K miles). No one would fix it except the Chevy Dealer. $900 and change. Cheap part with lots of labor. So, if your A/C just starts blowing cold air out one side and hot air out the other, you'll know the problem and cost. I was told it is a semi-common problem on high-end GM cars and trucks from that era.
Last edited by shot410ga; Jul 11, 2021 at 10:51 AM.
Common 2003 Z06 problems
. If I was at home it would have cost me ~$40 as a part-out cable from Vettenuts or Gene Culley. That happened at ~40,000 miles, and I couldn't be sure it was an OEM problem; it looked like the cable had been dragged on the ground til it broke, or rats got to it.) No other problems; I'm at 101,000 miles and am completely happy with it.
