C6 problems
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Snowflake Arizona
C6 problems
I just registered with this forum, because I'm about to purchase a 2005 corvette. After much research I've found many issues that are of concern! I believe the recall on the active handling system is a fairly easy fix, but the targa top becoming detached while driving is of great concern (even after being serviced...supposedly)! How many vettes in this year are affected by the fuse block overheating and causing the headlights to go off?? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance and looking forward to being a part of the family!!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 449
Likes: 4
From: Palm Harbor Fl
Bought my 05 Z-51 Vert 6spd manual 6 months ago and it has been a joy to drive!!! Granted, only had 9k on the odometer when I purchased it, but it runs flawless and problem free. There are others on here that would try to shy you away from an 05 but I'd say bull****.. I read of more troubles, problems & issues with the later model vettes than let's say the 05's or 06's for that matter. Any model year can have issues, There is nothing IMO to shy you away from an 05 if that's your decision. Things to check? harmonic balancer, battery, tires etc etc. the common stuff to check. Not sure about targa tops since mine is a convertible. Drive it, tranny check too, all the important stuff...Get a carfax & so forth The 400hp LS2 is more than enough power for me!! 
Good luck!!!!!!
Good luck!!!!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,274
Likes: 6
From: Corvetteville USA
I had a 2005 triple black convertible with NO problems whatsoever. I sold it later to get a C6 Z06. I missed that tripleblack convertible so much that I ended up selling the Z06 and getting a 2008 triple black convertible. I love the car.
Good luck. I think you will be just fine!
Good luck. I think you will be just fine!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
Never heard of fuse block overheating. My 05 has been trouble free (except for HB) for the 3 years I've had it. I had the top replaced last year. The old one was not coming apart but while it was at the dealer for harmonic balancer they put a new top on it. I've never read about a replaced top after recall being defective either.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Snowflake Arizona
Thanks to all of you for the quick replies!! I just came across the fuse block issue today as I was digging deeper into any possible electrical issues. What's with the harmonic balancer?? I haven't heard anything on this.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Snowflake Arizona
This is a complaint I found on carcomplaints.com and there are many more identical to this...."Headlamps quit working while driving at night. Both headlamps did not turn on and I had to drive with the fog lights. I checked the relay and fuses which were all okay. This morning, they did work. I've researched other owner forums of which this incident has happened from a bad ground from an overheated fuse box in the engine compartment, with owners driving at night and driving lights going out inexplicably, which could lead to serious injury.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 449
Likes: 4
From: Palm Harbor Fl
there are several threads on the harmonic balancer pulley problem on the forum here, just do a search on them... some have video as well to assist you. It wasn't just the 05's that had this issue
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Snowflake Arizona
Thanks Jimmy52 and EvRose! I'm probably looking too deep into this. I just want to be prepared and make the smartest decision I can. Most everything I've read says the C6 is by far the best sports car out there for what you have to invest!! I'm very excited and look forward to my venture. The car I'm interested in only has 15k so I hope it wouldn't have any HB issues?! Thanks again!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 449
Likes: 4
From: Palm Harbor Fl
Thanks Jimmy52 and EvRose! I'm probably looking too deep into this. I just want to be prepared and make the smartest decision I can. Most everything I've read says the C6 is by far the best sports car out there for what you have to invest!! I'm very excited and look forward to my venture. The car I'm interested in only has 15k so I hope it wouldn't have any HB issues?! Thanks again!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
Its a good tough car. Engine nearly bullet proof. On an 05 Im sure any recall work or possible problems have been taken care of by now. I bought mine before I joined this forum. Its been the best car Ive had. I read about all potential problems after I bought it and still have no regrets.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,491
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
I just registered with this forum, because I'm about to purchase a 2005 corvette. After much research I've found many issues that are of concern! I believe the recall on the active handling system is a fairly easy fix, but the targa top becoming detached while driving is of great concern (even after being serviced...supposedly)! How many vettes in this year are affected by the fuse block overheating and causing the headlights to go off?? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance and looking forward to being a part of the family!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,338
Likes: 2,437
From: Eastern
I have never heard of the headlight fuse panel overheating in my 4 years on this forum. There have been no recall to my knowledge on this, and I'm pretty sure there would be one since it is a safety issue.
The targa top delapitating was an issue in 05-06 but if you get a GM dealer to run your VIN, they can tell you if it has been fixed, or has had any issues with recalls or TSB's.
The balancer is hit or miss on most of the C6. I have an 06 with 60K miles and no issues with any of the fore mentioned issues.
Good Luck
The targa top delapitating was an issue in 05-06 but if you get a GM dealer to run your VIN, they can tell you if it has been fixed, or has had any issues with recalls or TSB's.
The balancer is hit or miss on most of the C6. I have an 06 with 60K miles and no issues with any of the fore mentioned issues.
Good Luck
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
If it's a manual tranny, make sure it got the BCM reflash to eliminate DBS. Or get the SCL bypass from Corvettes of Houston. My SCL (they all will) went out after about 8 years. Enough '05's had defective lighting wiring harnesses, causing some bulbs to go out soon. A dealer probably could check if yours are ok. Mine were replaced on warranty. The harmonic balancer should def be changed if your VIN is less than 11039. This is when they improved somewhat on the bad design. Mine was replaced around year 3 on warranty.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Snowflake Arizona
Once again I would like to thank each and every one of you for your help!! The fuse block issue I had mentioned were incidences reported to the NHTSA and in 05 there were many, but in comparison to the amount of cars produced it is probably more than minimal. Knowing that it's pretty much unheard of here is most comforting! I'm pumped to be sporting a C6 and looking forward to chatting with you all!! This forum ROCKS!!!!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The fuse box overheating (actually its wiring within the fuse box) has been reported/posted extensively. Search for "headlights don't work/etc."
There was (can't find it now though) a sticky list for complaints in the Tech/Performance Forum and the feds were looking into this problem.
The steering column-related Active Handling issue has also been extensively reported. There's a sticky in C6 General about this.
Flying Roof Club and harmonic balancer issues are usually items that original owners have addressed.
The C6 is pretty solid. The fuse box failure can be perplexing but there is a very good DIY thread on the repair.
Good luck with your purchase.
There was (can't find it now though) a sticky list for complaints in the Tech/Performance Forum and the feds were looking into this problem.
The steering column-related Active Handling issue has also been extensively reported. There's a sticky in C6 General about this.
Flying Roof Club and harmonic balancer issues are usually items that original owners have addressed.
The C6 is pretty solid. The fuse box failure can be perplexing but there is a very good DIY thread on the repair.
Good luck with your purchase.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 8
From: Jupiter Florida
Very happy 05 owner here, the only thing that would make me look closely is the 15k miles.... might be an indication that the car sat for a long time unused, which is not necessarily a good thing.
Otherwise, go for it, great car!
Otherwise, go for it, great car!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 2
I just registered with this forum, because I'm about to purchase a 2005 corvette. After much research I've found many issues that are of concern! I believe the recall on the active handling system is a fairly easy fix, but the targa top becoming detached while driving is of great concern (even after being serviced...supposedly)! How many vettes in this year are affected by the fuse block overheating and causing the headlights to go off?? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance and looking forward to being a part of the family!!