This is a question mainly for you C5/Z06 veterans. I kept my '94 for two extra years before buying my first C5 figuring they would have all the bugs worked out by then. I recently bought an '04 Z06 and am struck with the realization of how many "bugs" were never resolved during the 7 years production run. So I thought I would start a list and ask you guys to add to it...or correct me if the problem has indeed been fixed by GM. OK?

1. Column Lock! (nuff said...7 years of a problem that is obviously some kind of design flaw)

2. Sticking Clutch - still with us after all these years from what I'm reading on here.

3. Fuel Gauge - I think they redesign this but isn't it still a problem for some?

4. Rocking Driver's seat...sports seats esp. I've never had this but I've always had standard seats.

5. Oil pressure sending unit and/or relief valve. Really....how hard is it to make a reliable one???

6. Headlight motor gears. This one I don't know if they have fixed. I fixed my '99 by replacing the plastic POS gears with bronze aftermarket ones but I'm betting the new C5s still have plastic gears. Anybody know?

I know there's others but those are what comes to my mind offhand. I still love my vettes and wouldn't drive any other car for fun and challenge but I wonder how long, if ever, it will take them to fix the C6 bugs?

 

That pretty much does it exept for the rear diff. that seems prone to leaking and the PCV sys. which is substandard, and can lead to problems.

I'm with you though. I love the car. Best sports car I've ever owned (and I've owned quite a few). All the little quirks have become like a personallity to me now.

Having said that I think I'll wait a couple of years for the C6. I guess that means I'll have to install that ECS ATI blower while I wait

Brian

 

From reading on this forum, your list of common issues with a Z06 needs a few more additions...

a) Leaking Differential Fluid
b) Using a lot of oil (most often on an early '01 model)
c) Bent gear selection fork (the aluminum one)
d) Grinding or Locked out of Reverse
e) Water leaks around windows

I have to go by what I have read. My '01 already has 7,200 miles on it. I did have a steering column lock issue. However, it was quickly resolved by the dealer at no charge and there have been no recurrances.

I love this car!

dave

 

How long to get the bugs out of the C6, just until the C7 is introduced.

 

Just over 7,000 miles on my 04 Z06 and I have none of those issues.

 

slythetove


unfortunately.....you WILL have them ....

wish GM would just pay a little more attention to build quality and then they would have one hell of an all around great car.....

it just doesnt seem like it would take very much to fix these things...most of them are mainly annoyances....

btw - my car is in the shop right now for the rear diff leak...for the 5th time.....2nd dealer service department....I have 34,000 miles on my 2003 .....

come on GM ......

 

Paint issues! Ton of O/Peel. Ill bet it will be the same on the 05.

 

Thats why the line has a orange peel inspector, to make sure everyone gets some.

 

Duh! How could I forget about the leaking rear diff? Guess it's cause I fixed my 99 before it could leak by swapping it out for a 4.10 from DTE!

I'll bet the C6 paint has orange peel issues too as I think that's more of a function of the price point of the car.

As for some of the others mentioned like '01 oil use and bent shift forks, I think those were addressed by the end of the model run. I'm trying to put together a list of defects in the C5 run that never were fixed so that we can compare them to the C6 issues in a few years.

I'd like to see GM put as much effort into fixing design problems from year to year as they do in adding features or improvements each year to market the new models. Probably doesn't make economic sense as long as the warranty costs of repair are less than the design and refit but this is the Corvette after all so you'd think the pride of the brand would have some impact.

 

This my only real disappointment in the Z06 - paint quality.

The other issues will be always be and always have been present in massed produced automobiles, Heck, limited build number cars are worse.

I wonder how long till we see the C6 list!

 

I am not having any of these issues, except # 3 when I am super low on fuel. I never even heard of anyone complain about #5 or #6 on a C5. No car is perfect, its just a machine.

 

My left side diff leak was fixed at 10k. Now 2-1/2 yrs and at 30k, the left side diff is suddenly leaking again - BIG TIME! Well the General gets it back Friday to fix under extended warranty.

GOLD72

 

LOL... sad but probably true

 

 

Number 6 was finally fixed on the C6 by eliminating the motors. If you haven't experienced the problems with the hidden headlights it is only a matter of time. Every C2, C3, C4 and C5 will have a problem at least once as long as it survives long enough to have a problem. I had headlight motor problems twice on my 86 and was really surprised I didn't have any on my 97 during the 6 years I owned it.
Bill

 

GM eliminated the oil coolers on the C5/Z06, thus ensuring that operation on the autobahn or on a road course puts the engine and/or transmission at risk. It is pretty easy to overheat the oil at speed in less than 20 minutes, unless one installs the GM transmission oil cooler kit, which invalidates the factory warranty. And the overtemperature event is recorded in the ecu memory, so your service consultant can tell you your meltdown is to your account.

Thank you Mr. Goodwrench.

 

I have seen that comment about the GM tranny cooler invalidating the warranty several times before. That is interesting since my dealer installed the cooler and has never indicated there is a problem with it being there. Where did this story come from?
Bill

 

You guys gotta stop buying those cars that were wrapped around trees at a 160 mph and you won't have those problems!