View Poll Results: C5 Reliability Issues....
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 704. You may not vote on this poll
C5 Reliability Poll....
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
Bought the car with 63k on it, now up to 98k. Had a problem with the wiring in the accordion tube dropping my class 2 serial bus, and a fried PCM. The PCM was not the car's fault, however; some idiot previous owner decided that instead of pulling the inner fender cover to access the PCM, they would be a complete jerk to the next guy and cut a hole in the general area of the PCM to install their crappy "tuner chip" thing inline with the PCM wiring, and then left it open to the elements. Then they sell it to me here in Washington state where it becomes a rain-or-shine daily driver and the story tells itself...
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
No real drama on my 1998 convertible w/ 36,000 miles:
1) Left rear TPMS sensor replaced
2) Steering column lock left me stranded
3) Accessory drive belt "squeal" drove me insane - it took a Gatorback belt to fix it finally after exhausting everything else...
4) Replaced car battery a few times (it sits alot between deployments!)
5) Poor top fit - driver window closes on the canvas and has worn and frayed the corner
6) Fuel gage jumps to empty unexpectedly more and more often
7) Excessive wear on driver seat bolster
8) Seat track has too much freeplay
9) Side window / roof weatherseal leaks like a sieve on driver's side
Other than that - not bad!
1) Left rear TPMS sensor replaced
2) Steering column lock left me stranded
3) Accessory drive belt "squeal" drove me insane - it took a Gatorback belt to fix it finally after exhausting everything else...
4) Replaced car battery a few times (it sits alot between deployments!)
5) Poor top fit - driver window closes on the canvas and has worn and frayed the corner
6) Fuel gage jumps to empty unexpectedly more and more often
7) Excessive wear on driver seat bolster
8) Seat track has too much freeplay
9) Side window / roof weatherseal leaks like a sieve on driver's side
Other than that - not bad!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 600
Likes: 11
From: Wilmington NC
Mostly electrical related issues that pop up. Eats batteries like a toddler eats candy.
I drive in the rain!
106,000 miles on the frame. I drive this car very hard. I take off at stoplights all the time. I'm actually surprised more things aren't broken.
I have had a new motor installed because I blew the original, that new motor was too powerful for the stock transmission and melted the clutches, so I have a new transmission.
I caused the expensive problems... GM caused the annoying problems.
Overall very reliable for the abuse I put it through and very easy to fix problems on this car as long as you have enough money to throw on it!
I drive in the rain!
106,000 miles on the frame. I drive this car very hard. I take off at stoplights all the time. I'm actually surprised more things aren't broken.
I have had a new motor installed because I blew the original, that new motor was too powerful for the stock transmission and melted the clutches, so I have a new transmission.
I caused the expensive problems... GM caused the annoying problems.
Overall very reliable for the abuse I put it through and very easy to fix problems on this car as long as you have enough money to throw on it!
Last edited by AFTRBRNR; Jul 12, 2012 at 12:06 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Laguna Beach CA
Bought my 2004 Verti in 2006 with 18k mileage. Changed battery a couple of times and changed the coolant reservoir tank this past April. I have 82k miles now. Drive every day, rain or shine. Only issue now is the damn radio lock! Coming up on 100k so will be doing the maintenance.
Other than that, this car has been awesome. Better than I actually thought since this is my first American car. Love it!
Other than that, this car has been awesome. Better than I actually thought since this is my first American car. Love it!
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 671
Likes: 10
From: Tulsa OK
Repaired EBCM and had the passengers side door lock relay and control module replaced. '02 with 40K miles that spends most of its life in a heated/cooled garage. It has been driven in the rain a few times while on road trips (most of the miles).
Okie
Okie
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Derby KS
2002 Red Coupe
I bought mine used in 2010 with 28k miles on it from folks that I know. They were aware of some issues but thought they were fixed. The issue came back - reduced engine power/service traction control. Just recently found the cause. Replaced the TAC. Everything has been great after that. I've only put 3.5k miles on it since I bought it (mostly due to the TAC module). I have modded the brakes (new slotted and dimpled rotors, Hawks HPS and braided brake hoses) and put in some radioflyer lights. Other than that, it's stock. It's pretty much a fair weather car. I do expect that there will be more issues down the road. After all, it's a 10 year old car. However, the fact that it's a vette, it looks,rides and drives great and I enjoy the challenge of the next fix (so long as I can afford it) - you don't get that with any other "average" car. And that's coming from an ex mopar guy
. BTW, having this forum around makes owning a vette a much sweeter experience!
Bill Curlee, I salute you
. BTW, having this forum around makes owning a vette a much sweeter experience! Bill Curlee, I salute you
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Chula Vista CA
Mostly Electrical
01 Z06, purchased 2 years ago with 24K, now up to 46K - HVAC display with cold solder joints (fixed once, it's at it again), ignition switch failed, oil pressure sending unit pegs display, power seat wiggles, corroded grounds lead to erroneous codes in DIC a couple times a week.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Zahnd Indiana
had the car for 4 1/2 years. 47,000-87,000 miles. had to replace the hazard switch, install column lock bypass, rear wheel bearing, battery, sold the car with the 40100 code or whatever it was that has to do with emissions.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Now you are one lucky man! I've never heard of or seen any C5 that did NOT have an EBCM issue or a column lock malfunction. And how about the fade-to-nothing temperature display? Is that actually still visible? How about your smog pump check valve? I've gone through 2 and am on my third.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 541
Likes: 38
From: Temecula CA
Sorry Dave, None of the listed problems have happened to my car. As stated the only repair was the leaking differential for which there is a TSB. Been very trouble free and that is despite my adding a double din radio with 12" sub and amp and an A&A V3 Si supercharger.
Phil
Phil
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 337
Likes: 1
From: Mechanicsville Md
2002 M6 with 55K, Borla exhaust, dual K&M aircleaner
1) Fuel gage issues (goes to zero and ran out of gas with 1/4 indicated)
2) EBCM (Got ABFIXER rebuild)
3) Column Lock (LMC5R)
4) HVAC Display dim (resoulder chips)
Not bad, drive it almost everyday and try not to drive it in the rain. Great car!!!
1) Fuel gage issues (goes to zero and ran out of gas with 1/4 indicated)
2) EBCM (Got ABFIXER rebuild)
3) Column Lock (LMC5R)
4) HVAC Display dim (resoulder chips)
Not bad, drive it almost everyday and try not to drive it in the rain. Great car!!!
8th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Electrical issues 2001 C5
Replaced both window motors this summer, steering column locked up 5 years ago. Heads up as well as 12 disc player out of commission past year. Replaced 3 batteries. Factory wheels replaced by Chevrolet those pitted too, and finally glass top turned a dull black.
Original owner 32,000 6 speed, keeping the car, but will never own another Corvette.
Chuck / Virginia
Original owner 32,000 6 speed, keeping the car, but will never own another Corvette.
Chuck / Virginia
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 364
From: Dardenne Prairie Missouri
I ordered my 2003 and I have just over 40K on her now. The only issues I've had has been the rear seal leak and I've had 4 new radio units installed (I now have an aftermarket H/U). All of that was replaced under warranty. I just had my driver side window motor go out so just at 10 years I think the car has been really solid. I love this car!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Sorry Dave, None of the listed problems have happened to my car. As stated the only repair was the leaking differential for which there is a TSB. Been very trouble free and that is despite my adding a double din radio with 12" sub and amp and an A&A V3 Si supercharger.
Phil
Phil
My latest repair/replacement was the driver's side headlight motor gear. I replaced both sides with bronze versions. For many of the things I mentioned, it's not a question of "if" they will fail. Rather, it's "when" they will fail. My car has about 48,000 miles on it.
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
Harmonic balancer failed on my '99 FRC at 30k miles.
Other than that my two C5's have been pretty good. Only minor stuff like an outside temp sensor and an O2 sensor failure (due to routing wires around LG headers).
I did some preventive measures like the column lock bypass on both.
Other than that my two C5's have been pretty good. Only minor stuff like an outside temp sensor and an O2 sensor failure (due to routing wires around LG headers).
I did some preventive measures like the column lock bypass on both.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 287
Likes: 139
From: PNW US
Here are the issues I've had and the approximate mileage when each happened. My Z06 is garaged and has only been driven in rain a handful of times since I acquired it in February of 2006:
EBCM @ 45,000 miles
Water Pump @ 60,000 miles
Oil Pressure Sensor @ 74,000 (just happened, not fixed)
Pulleys @ 55,000 miles
Failed Gear in Left Headlight Motor @ 45,000 miles
Intermittent Turn Signal Failure @ 74,000 (just happened, not looking forward to fixing that)
EBCM @ 45,000 miles
Water Pump @ 60,000 miles
Oil Pressure Sensor @ 74,000 (just happened, not fixed)
Pulleys @ 55,000 miles
Failed Gear in Left Headlight Motor @ 45,000 miles
Intermittent Turn Signal Failure @ 74,000 (just happened, not looking forward to fixing that)