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C-5 Reliability Question...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 14
From: Vacaville, CA
C-5 Reliability Question...
Can someone give me some indication on the reliability of the C-5 vettes. I am mostly interested in electrical issues and the transmission issues/driveline issues. (Seems like the LS1 engine is pretty reliable).
I am looking at a '99 with around 50,000 miles on it.
Thanks!
I am looking at a '99 with around 50,000 miles on it.
Thanks!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
My experience has been that its a little worse than average but not that much so
On the electrical side I've had the EBCM replaced, a new headlight motor, a new battery and a door module replaced. I'm having active handling problems at the minute.
On the drivetrain I've had the rear diff seal replaced.
All of these are common problems. Overall I wouldn't worry too much about reliability. The fun factor way out weighs any problems.
On the electrical side I've had the EBCM replaced, a new headlight motor, a new battery and a door module replaced. I'm having active handling problems at the minute.
On the drivetrain I've had the rear diff seal replaced.
All of these are common problems. Overall I wouldn't worry too much about reliability. The fun factor way out weighs any problems.
Last edited by DeeGee; Aug 31, 2007 at 01:39 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 807
Likes: 21
From: Los Altos CA
I bought my 2000 C5 with 47k miles and now have 68k miles. I have had the following problems:
Dim HVAC display (common)
Door lock relay (common)
Oil Pressure sensor (common)
Cruise control switch
Running light bulb.
Shifter light bulb
Loose connector on wheel speed sensor
This is not Lexus reliability but considering how cheap the car is relative to the performance, I have no complaints.
I have had zero drivetrain/engine/suspension problems.
Dim HVAC display (common)
Door lock relay (common)
Oil Pressure sensor (common)
Cruise control switch
Running light bulb.
Shifter light bulb
Loose connector on wheel speed sensor
This is not Lexus reliability but considering how cheap the car is relative to the performance, I have no complaints.
I have had zero drivetrain/engine/suspension problems.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Can someone give me some indication on the reliability of the C-5 vettes. I am mostly interested in electrical issues and the transmission issues/driveline issues. (Seems like the LS1 engine is pretty reliable).
I am looking at a '99 with around 50,000 miles on it.
Thanks!
I am looking at a '99 with around 50,000 miles on it.
Thanks!
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Got a '00 C5 hardtop mt6 daily driver with 90k on the OD. Have had trouble with: the steering column lock, the adjustment of a headlight sensor, a door/window seal leaked, the backlights for the climate control are all out, and the windows have had trouble going up and down.
Starting, running and stopping have been fine (except the column lock thingy).
The car is still on its original brakes and clutch.
It seems like ithe engine is a little more noisy (some sort of mild clattering) when you first start it up then it was when new....
All in all a pretty good car.
I hate the seats btw.
Gonna make that my sig till GM fixes the problem for free!
Starting, running and stopping have been fine (except the column lock thingy).
The car is still on its original brakes and clutch.
It seems like ithe engine is a little more noisy (some sort of mild clattering) when you first start it up then it was when new....
All in all a pretty good car.
I hate the seats btw.
Gonna make that my sig till GM fixes the problem for free!
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1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From my personal experience, these cars have more than the average gremlins when it comes to electrical problems, none of which ever seem to be easy to chase down.
Column Lock problems
EDCB Unit failures due to AC unit leaks
PCM unit failures due to **** poor battery placement by GM
Grounding ussues that cause all kinds of things to go whacko
I could go on and on. Surf the forums, you'll see.
The driveline however, is bullet proof.
Column Lock problems
EDCB Unit failures due to AC unit leaks
PCM unit failures due to **** poor battery placement by GM
Grounding ussues that cause all kinds of things to go whacko
I could go on and on. Surf the forums, you'll see.
The driveline however, is bullet proof.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
My '99's largest issue was the transmission, MM6. After the third major failure, I had it replaced totally. Other than that, lifter noise..therefore I replaced them along with the rockers and pushrods. Headlamp switch and headlamp controller, on my 3rd clutch now. One frame G102 ground connection. One headlight motor. Replaced all the lamps in the radio and HVAC controller. Replaced the HUD. High precision steering wheel position sensor. Brake rotors. CLB installed. 3rd set of shocks. Sounds like a lot??? Not really, it just turned over 295,000 miles tonight and still runs strong.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 133
From: Conejo Valley CA
1. Loss of Power to Driver Door - caused by corroded connector in door jam.
2. Passenger Door lock not working - caused by defective relay in Door Control Module (DCM). Thanks to CF, bad relay was identified and I saved $$$ as I did the needed surgery on the DCM and replaced the $1.10 part.
3. HVAC Blower Dead - caused by corroded connector to blower.
4. HVAC system blowing both Cold and Super Hot when A/C on - caused by bad HVAC actuator door.
Electrical problems with this car... you bet ya. But I do love this car and the joy out weighs the issues. Plus this forum enables you to pick people's brains if you're willing to tackle the problem yourself.
Incidently, Bill Curlee wrote a very enlighting Sticky on the electrical issues which I believe were summarized here... Bad grounds. I want to add connectors that get corroded easily to the list. In fact, every time I get an electrical issue, the first thing I always check is the connector.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: exeter CA
Have owned my 2000 since new, now with 26k.
Only problem was steering lock recall, which had not caused any trouble for me.
I would rate my experience with my Corvette as excellent, and my local Chevy dealer (Giant Chevrolet) as very good.
It still looks and runs "as new". Plus, a much less expensive to maintain than my Mercedes E320 sedan.
My plans are to buy a C7, if they look more like the C5, since I am not a fan of the looks of the C6. Or maybe a new Camaro.
Only problem was steering lock recall, which had not caused any trouble for me.
I would rate my experience with my Corvette as excellent, and my local Chevy dealer (Giant Chevrolet) as very good.
It still looks and runs "as new". Plus, a much less expensive to maintain than my Mercedes E320 sedan.
My plans are to buy a C7, if they look more like the C5, since I am not a fan of the looks of the C6. Or maybe a new Camaro.
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Well I was going to ask this question in another thread but I figured I'd just resurrect an old one. I am going to be in the market for a C5 Z06 in the next few months. I can see that all the problems mentioned are fairly small compared to transmission, drivetrain problems. But I have never had any car like the vette. How much am I liable to be spending on repairs and problems if buy say an 03 Z06 with 40,000 miles or so? Like on average.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 631
Likes: 3
From: Joppa AL
Well I was going to ask this question in another thread but I figured I'd just resurrect an old one. I am going to be in the market for a C5 Z06 in the next few months. I can see that all the problems mentioned are fairly small compared to transmission, drivetrain problems. But I have never had any car like the vette. How much am I liable to be spending on repairs and problems if buy say an 03 Z06 with 40,000 miles or so? Like on average.
If you're like me and can fix the mechanical stuff and have this great forum to help w/the elec, it's not a problem. This forum made me nervous at first but I think the guys w/no probs don't post about that very much. I consider my C5 to be a reliable car. Maybe we should do a survey.
