I have a 2007 Z51 manual since new and just love it. Unfortunately, I've had what I think has been a bunch of problems that has caused me to live at the dealership often in frustration being that with many of the issues I've actually had to be very persistent to get fixed. Even when I found a great GM service department which seems to be the key to getting anything repaired at all.

The funny thing is that I purposely bought new rather than going used because I didn't want to possibly address a multitude of problems with a beat on or aging car, but it seems that I got unlucky anyway. At least I had the warranty going for me.

I drive about 7,500 miles a year mostly on the highway so the car gets a decent workout and often gets fully warmed up to operating temps. I've done a couple HPDE's over the years as you can see from my profile picture, but I don't think occasionally driving the car at higher speeds as it was designed should cause any of these problems in the short term. I could see it could be a major contributor to issues if I went much more often and didn't maintain clean fluids, etc.

I guess my reasoning for this post is to inquire whether people have had a similar number of issues. In general, it seems that many people have pretty solid cars with few problems, however I recommend that you get the extended warranty because there seems to be so many electronics in the car and things that can go wrong that it makes sense.

Here is the list of the bigger items:

• OIL LEAK (Rocker, right bank; Gasket replaced)
• COOLANT LEAK (Water pump replaced)
• TARGA TOP (Cracking/Crazing; replaced w/New latch design)
• HARMONIC BALANCER (Wobbling & chirping; replaced)
• OIL LEVEL SENSOR (Light constantly illuminated when oil is at proper levels; replaced)
• IMPACT MODULE (Light intermittently illuminated; replaced)
• TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR (Intermittent very low or high reading; replaced)
• TELESCOPIC STEERING (Noisy vibrations; replaced worn rack assembly)
• FUEL LEVEL SENSOR (Stopped working; dealer wanted $ to fix, instead researched problem on here and was told to disconnect battery and run Chevron Fuel System Cleaner through and that fixed it!)
• STEERING WHEEL NOT ON STRAIGHT (Needed an alignment done multiple times to get right)
• BINDING CLUTCHES (Differential fluid replaced multiple times)

 

Our three Corvettes (2001, then 2006, now 2009) have been the most trouble prone cars we've ever owned. Each of them has had more problems in the first two years than our three Toyotas have had combined in about 20 years/180,000 miles. And the Corvette problems are not due to the high performance nature of the car, they are simple poor quality issues like loose parts, electrical parts that quit, rattles, etc.

I love the Corvette for what it is, and will probably buy a C7, but based on their problems and the similar problems in my other GM cars; I don't plan to every buy anything from GM except the 'vette.

Yeah, I know you guys have had good luck with GM. But for me, their quality sucks big time.

 

Corvette quality is horrible, period.

I had issues with my top, rear end, rattles everywhere, lost a bolt in my lower rear A arm (wtf!), and now I have the active handling/abs/traction control lights going nuts. Most likely from a bad wheel sensor.

 

Besides the god forsaked creaky top issue , I didnt have any problems with my 2008 which I kept for 2 years and 35K miles. It's too early to make a verdict on my current 2010so far so good, and the creaky top did not make an appearance yet...

BTW, my luck with GM has been very good, one of my fave's was a 2001 Z28 Camaro with absolutely zero problems till I traded it in at 90K miles for a GTO. I loved that Z28, and regret trading it in, especially since I think it would have ran another 90K without issues...

 

06 Z51 here, bought new, now at 32K miles with zero issues. Great car. It's been back to a dealer twice; once for differential oil change (well known sticking clutches) and once for roof recall replacement. I do all my own maintenance and perhaps its absence from the dealer for those services is the reason I have been so happy and issue free.

 

I've got an 07' LMB, Z-51 coupe, bought new, and it's a sweetheart.
I had the rear diff fluid changed (no charge), but, nothing else. It's got 32,200 miles on it right now. I did buy the extended warranty, just in case.

 

Government motors has never been known for their quality. Pretty much why Toyota took them down a few years ago. Most trouble prone cars I've always had were either Ford, GM, or Dodge. Never had one issue with any of the foreign cars I've owned.

Escalade is the first American made car I've bought in years but haven't driven it enough yet to see how it's going to hold up. Now the Vette and so far for the first 3,000 miles it's been fine. Again, haven't had it long enough to know yet. I know GM and Ford have been trying to get better quality and improve their standards so hopefully that will pay off for them.

 

Our 2008 Vert has basically been trouble free. Any service is done by Legends Cadillac in Scottsdale. Great service, loaner if needed, problems solved first time. They do the oil changes, alignment, or other services as needed.

Great car, outstanding gas mileage and excellent power when wanted or needed.

 

I love my new GS!!!!

 

05 Coupe M6 - Z51 @ 17,000 miles. top replaced last year even though I didn't have a problem with it.

No other issues. Runs smooth as silk and 32 mpg. Quality= exceptional

02 Coupe 4A 17,000 miles - never saw a dealer. Also 32 mpg. Not one single issue in almost 10 years. Quality = exceptional

08 Coupe M6 4,000 miles. Not a single issue in three years. 34.5 mpg. Quality = exceptional.

Sorry buddy but I can't back you up. They are long lasting and exceptionally reliable and durable cars.

The small block Chevy motor has the best record of any V8 ever produced anywhere. Fact is fact.

Great trans, great suspension and brakes.

Best sports car for the performance and cost. Period.

You should sell yours and get a Porsche or something. Corvettes don't like you.

I have owned a 06 Toyota Avalon Limited, 06 Tacoma quad cab TRD 4X4, 08 Hylander Limited 4x4, 010 Camry SE, 010 Prius II and a 010 Tundra quad cab Rock Warrior. All of which have had troubles and recalls. I just quit buying Toyota's because they used to be quality and have went to crap. And for those who think GM's service departments are bad. You should try the condescending arrogant service departments at Toyota. Also try their parts departments at 3 to 4 times the price of other makers. I still get several recalls every few months.

I just replaced my wife's car with a 011 Impala LT. One month and 1K has impressed me so far. No more Toyota's for me forever. I admit that I had to hold my nose to get passed the Government Motors thing.

Oh, and for those that may post that I do not put enough miles on them. I am currently trying to get 49 states and all the Canadian Provence's in on motor cycle rides. Should have them all by the end of next season. That was a bucket list goal when I retired.

When I complete that list, I will then try to duplicate the rides with the Corvettes.

 

Speaking of Porsche, went to the bank today and their were two ugly silver one's in the parking lot. My Vette put them to shame

 

I guess I have been extraordinarily lucky in my lifetime of vehicle ownership. Three Corvettes and no issues.

I have had problems though. One was with my '69 Z-28. I bought it new and had continual shifter-linkage problem (hang in 2nd gear). I knew every gas station around Pittsburgh to pull in and put her on a lift, tap the linkage, and drive it until it hung the next time. A '78 Olds Regency had a heater control chip go out with heater full on. My '03 Sebring that my son drives had a transmission go out at 54,000 miles. Three different Healeys way back when had typical English car electrical system issues. And an '01 Buick Regal went to hell in a hand basket at 75 - 78,000 miles.

Other than that, I have had 3 Dodges, 4 other Chryslers, another Olds, 3 Fords, 1 Cadillac, a Datsun 240Z, a Pontiac Grand Am, a Toyota Celica, a Mazda 3, a Fiat X-19, a Winnebago, and two airplanes. Other than normal maintenance (sometimes rather expensive maintenance, I might add), Lu and I have had no issues with them.

I better knock on wood I guess.

 

I had a 05 Vette no problems late build just the top now I have a 2011 GS Coupe lovin life

 

Bro, don't get me wrong. I agree, as there are plenty of people that have had few or no problems, and that's great. However, I don't need every problem-free person to chime in as I'm basically looking to compare notes with other people who have had their fair share of issues with their C6. I'm just wondering, how unlucky have I been? How many people out there have had their share of problems?

I know there have been some Z06 owners that have blown their engines, I guess I can consider myself fortunate in a way being that such a catastrophe hasn't happened to me. I just think I got a car that was prone to issues. I'm happy that in the end everything has been fixed under warranty, and I hope that I don't have too many more gremlins. Hopefully all the kinks have been worked out. Better to happen sooner than later I guess, right? Now I can truly enjoy the car without worrying about what has to be fixed next.

Sure, just as I spent countless amounts of time going back & forth to the service departments getting everything fixed so that it now runs as it should. Sounds like great advice!

Speaking of Porsche, GM could learn a thing or two from some German engineering as far as I'm concerned but then I guess the car wouldn't be as affordable would it? Dude, as I stated I love this car. I've waited for what seemed like an eternity to be able to own my dream car as it is a true performance bargain. It's just been frustrating living at the service departments, and let me tell you what I stated above is the consolidated list. It's been a love/hate relationship with the car.

 

Since you asked what others experiences were I'll contribute that I own one of those horrible, trouble prone 2005 "first model year cars" and I've experienced exactly two burned out turn signal bulbs in the five years and 30,000 miles that I've owned the car.

Sorry, I wish that I could be more help with regard to the issues that you've experienced but in the three Corvettes that I've owned that just hasn't been the case. In fact they have been the three most problem free cars that I've ever owned.

Paul

 

I just read this post after my reply. You did not give that impression in your original post:

"I guess my reasoning for this post is to inquire whether or not other people have had a similar number of issues other than maybe the standard differential fluid replacement for the binding clutches."

I'm one of the "or not". If that's not what you were looking for, perhaps you should have stated that you were looking for others that have had problems and particularly what types of problems they have had. While you likely would have still received a few replies of problem free owners, it would have been minimized.

 

I also own one of those horrible, trouble prone 2005 "first model year cars" and I can honestly say that so far this is by far the most trouble free car I've ever owned.

 

To your first point, the small block Chev V-8 is as stout an engine as you'll ever find. Anyone, and I mean anyone, who has blown one has abused it. I speak from experience. I missed a shift and scattered that thing good. My fault, not GMs.

To your second point, you nailed it on the head. The Corvette is much less costly than the Porsche, at first cost and at maintenance time. Go ask a Porsche owner what routine maintenance costs are on a Porsche. It will gag you compared to the 'vette's.

Chevy engineers are pretty damned good, IMO.

 

Much shorter issues list for my '06 vert:

Broken driver's seat shell - replaced / warranty
Leaky water pump - replaced / warranty

A pleasant surprise for me is how solid the car is on the world's most horrible streets. Bumps, heaves and lousy potholes everywhere. No rattles or squeaks - unbelievable! A plastic car that doesn't squeak!

 

It saddens me to hear stories of faulty corvettes. I have loved the marque since I was a teenager. My first vette was an '03 vert, bought new. Only one problem, a fluid leak from rear differential that was properly fixed under warranty during first 6 months of ownership. I traded it in with 25k on the clock for a new '09 vert. No problems yet with about 11k miles. I won't make excuses for GM. Bad luck to have purchased a lemon. Perhaps GM or your local dealer can find a way to make it right for you....I certainly hope so. Good Luck.