View Poll Results: C5 Reliability Issues....
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 704. You may not vote on this poll
C5 Reliability Poll....
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Pull Key Wait 10 Sec... New Optima Yellow Top cured that!
CLB (still need to install) *in glove box*
Still on original tires (flame suit on) but plan on new wheels and tires in the spring
18k miles and I love this car!
By far the best Vette yet that Ive owned 
CLB (still need to install) *in glove box*
Still on original tires (flame suit on) but plan on new wheels and tires in the spring
18k miles and I love this car!
By far the best Vette yet that Ive owned
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
01ZO6 coloumn lock TWICE after recall. Installed the CBL. Replaced A/C compressor. Belts and battery (thats a given), stock clutch went at 81k......but i think that was do to mods
(replaced with Monster Stage3). Replaced belt tensioner. Had the ABS fixer mod
. Bought her at 45k in 2007 now has 90k 2010. She's me DD.
(replaced with Monster Stage3). Replaced belt tensioner. Had the ABS fixer mod. Bought her at 45k in 2007 now has 90k 2010. She's me DD.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 515
Likes: 133
2002 MN6 coupe with 103K miles (bought new)
1. LDCM (warrenty)
2. Rear axle seal
3. EBCM ABS fixer (currently goes out occasionally)
4. Fuel gauge to zero (currently RH transfer plugged)
5. Turn signals occasionally due to hazard switch
6. One battery
1. LDCM (warrenty)
2. Rear axle seal
3. EBCM ABS fixer (currently goes out occasionally)
4. Fuel gauge to zero (currently RH transfer plugged)
5. Turn signals occasionally due to hazard switch
6. One battery
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: Maple North Carolina
2001 with 39,000 miles weekend car. Issues:
1) door lock board failed to lock-fix by Bakerfield's info
2) replaced original battery after nine years
3) gas guage went to empty- fixed with Techron additive
4) CLB -fixed with blocker
Very happy with reliability... Great car!
1) door lock board failed to lock-fix by Bakerfield's info
2) replaced original battery after nine years
3) gas guage went to empty- fixed with Techron additive
4) CLB -fixed with blocker
Very happy with reliability... Great car!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Saugus CA
2003 Corvette issues
2003 vette, 56000 miles, pull key wait 10 seconds every once in a while, bad thermostat had to change, small leak on differincial, change fluid went away, catchy shift on six speed changed fluid got much better, all in all very good car.
Ron
Ron
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 21
From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
98 Coupe, have had it since 2002, my only car. Driven daily, sun, rain, snow. 168k miles.
I voted twice because I've had both. Lots of minor little issues, most I'm able to correct on my own. Biggest failure I had was the clutch master cylinder died. Drove home in 2nd gear then promptly fixed the car.
I've found as these cars age you'll get more squeeks and rattles. And then the body panels (most of which are glued together) may start leaking. Takes some effort to correct them using silicone and finding it. So a high mileage C5 is not for someone who has no tools or no time.
I voted twice because I've had both. Lots of minor little issues, most I'm able to correct on my own. Biggest failure I had was the clutch master cylinder died. Drove home in 2nd gear
then promptly fixed the car.I've found as these cars age you'll get more squeeks and rattles. And then the body panels (most of which are glued together) may start leaking. Takes some effort to correct them using silicone and finding it. So a high mileage C5 is not for someone who has no tools or no time.
Last edited by ericdwong; Oct 15, 2010 at 01:03 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
99 Nassau Blue bought new
Issues electrical were
Memory seats. (poor problem solving by dealer 6 trips) I found cut wire no more issues
DS door control module for windows twice. (I used quick fix new relay 2nd time)
OEM battery leaked on CPS. R&R optima clean prime paint frame etc all ok for last 7 yrs
AC tensioner squeeked design on bearing
I wish all cars were as reliable as my vet. I own a Mercedes E500 and it doesn't hold a candle to my vet. Planning to buy Caddy next to replace E500 thinking it will be as reliable as the VET
My vet is new reliability bench mark for me, 87,000 miles and still going.
Memory seats. (poor problem solving by dealer 6 trips) I found cut wire no more issues
DS door control module for windows twice. (I used quick fix new relay 2nd time)
OEM battery leaked on CPS. R&R optima clean prime paint frame etc all ok for last 7 yrs
AC tensioner squeeked design on bearing
I wish all cars were as reliable as my vet. I own a Mercedes E500 and it doesn't hold a candle to my vet. Planning to buy Caddy next to replace E500 thinking it will be as reliable as the VET
My vet is new reliability bench mark for me, 87,000 miles and still going.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
Car is a 2002 Z06 with 73,000 miles. Ive driven it hard so some of it comes with the territory, but so far I have experienced:
Coolant reservoir cracked - replaced
Column lock issues - CLB and bypassed relay
Noisy drivetrain - torque tube bearings were bad - replaced bearings and couplers
Oil burning - installed oil catch can
Choppy clutch - bled clutch fluid, works great now
Squeaking belt when cold- installed Gatorback belt from Autozone
Oil sender failed - replaced
Differential leak - still leaking
Random dead battery - replaced with Optima red top, good for the past year
For a car that experiences daily stop-and-go traffic and the weekly hard interstate runs I guess I cant really complain. The car isnt that difficult to work on. Its just that GM dropped the ball in a few places (clutch bleed screw position, column lock, terrible stock shifter).
Coolant reservoir cracked - replaced
Column lock issues - CLB and bypassed relay
Noisy drivetrain - torque tube bearings were bad - replaced bearings and couplers
Oil burning - installed oil catch can
Choppy clutch - bled clutch fluid, works great now
Squeaking belt when cold- installed Gatorback belt from Autozone
Oil sender failed - replaced
Differential leak - still leaking
Random dead battery - replaced with Optima red top, good for the past year
For a car that experiences daily stop-and-go traffic and the weekly hard interstate runs I guess I cant really complain. The car isnt that difficult to work on. Its just that GM dropped the ball in a few places (clutch bleed screw position, column lock, terrible stock shifter).
Last edited by Kotlas; Jan 26, 2011 at 04:57 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 807
Likes: 21
From: Los Altos CA
2000 with 93K miles. Multifunction switch (cruise control), door control module lock relay, oil pressure sender, fuel tank leak (fixed under warranty), convertible window came loose (glued back in), OEM battery leaked (no major damage), turn signal/flasher relay noisy (not fixed yet), mirrors came loose from sun visors, small differential leak (not fixed), ABS wheel sensor connector came loose (twice), dim HVAC controller. No problems that left me stranded. I am very happy with its reliability. Overall, it is the best car I have ever owned!
Last edited by white90conv; Jan 27, 2011 at 12:30 PM. Reason: add more info
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario
Right Front ABS Sensor Failed
2001 with 65K miles. When the right front ABS Sensor failed, it was replaced with an entire bearing / hub assembly. Cost more than $1,200 to repair - Ouch !! Had to replace the original battery this past summer - drove it for 10 summers with the original battery.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,909
Likes: 1,858
From: Hot Springs AR
I've had only a few significant problems in 220,xxx miles of service. Not going to mention all the wear/consumable items (including pulley and wheel bearings).
The ABS module went out about a year ago; rather than pay the GM $2000 for the part
I took a risk on a $300 part off Ebay; works just fine.
Early on I had one electrical gremlin that ended up being a bare wire in the driver door's bundle that was grounding. Since the previous owner had a security system installed I don't know whether it was GM's error or not.
Other than that, nothing comes to mind.
Have a good one,
Mike
The ABS module went out about a year ago; rather than pay the GM $2000 for the part
I took a risk on a $300 part off Ebay; works just fine.Early on I had one electrical gremlin that ended up being a bare wire in the driver door's bundle that was grounding. Since the previous owner had a security system installed I don't know whether it was GM's error or not.
Other than that, nothing comes to mind.
Have a good one,
Mike
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,361
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
I haven't had any real mechanical issues in the almost 10 years that I've owned my C-5. However, with only 18,000 miles on it, I shouldn't have.
On the other hand, the driver's side door lock actuator circuit board has had two relays go bad, but fortunately I was able to fix that problem myself. The other issues that C-5s are know for, such as rocking seats, headlight gear failure, steering column lock-up, and rocker arm trunnion failure, have been addressed by myself, in a pre-emptive strike......
On the other hand, the driver's side door lock actuator circuit board has had two relays go bad, but fortunately I was able to fix that problem myself. The other issues that C-5s are know for, such as rocking seats, headlight gear failure, steering column lock-up, and rocker arm trunnion failure, have been addressed by myself, in a pre-emptive strike......
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Random dead battery - replaced with Optima red top, good for the past year
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: El Paso TX
2001 Vert M6 elecrical/semi mechanical issues.
EBCM/rebuilt $220.00
Headlight Motor gears stripped/rebuilt with bronze gears $102.00
Oil Pressure Sender/Current will replace $45.00
Car bought Feb 10 with 39,000 miles. Now has 45,800. Preventative maintenance performed is as follows:
Replaced all fluids, pulled ground connectors from both sides on front frame rails. Disassembles, cleaned and reassembled. Replaced belt checked wires.
EBCM/rebuilt $220.00
Headlight Motor gears stripped/rebuilt with bronze gears $102.00
Oil Pressure Sender/Current will replace $45.00
Car bought Feb 10 with 39,000 miles. Now has 45,800. Preventative maintenance performed is as follows:
Replaced all fluids, pulled ground connectors from both sides on front frame rails. Disassembles, cleaned and reassembled. Replaced belt checked wires.