Corvette reliability
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 67
Likes: 5
Corvette reliability
My 2013 base 3LT convertible, purchased new, has been very reliable. I have confidence it will be dependable for as long as I choose to own it. After reading many posts on this excellent web site, I think they are the same as cars made by other companies in that some individual Corvettes have problems. I think they are well-made. Have any potential car inspected by a qualified mechanic & ask for service records or get the GMVIS. Stay away from anything that has been modded or raced. Check out http://www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Corvette/. You will see that there are fewer than average complaints/problems than other GM or other make cars. If you get one, you will need to learn how to be careful when you drive it. Is is low to the ground & it doesn't take much to tear up the steering or other expensive components. Get the newest one in your price range. Good luck. Tom
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,131
Likes: 1,961
From: Morris County New Jersey
I would put the C6 Corvettes reliability as average or slightly above average when taking into consideration its year and mileage. And I consider modern day cars to be pretty reliable overall, so I would say average or slightly above is pretty good.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,164
Likes: 4,172
From: Kannapolis NC
Just reading this forum, you would think so, but nobody posts "my car didn't give me any problems today". Of the many thousands sold, from a percentage standpoint few break down. A lot of the problems that are posted are caused by operator error and not a Chevy reliability problem. The two important rules are be careful driving over speed bumps and pulling up to a curb AND keep the battery charged. If the car isn't driven for a while (sometimes a very short while like a week) the electronics will drag the battery to a point where it doesn't have the juice to start the car. If you get used to how low the car is and keep the battery on a battery tender when not driven, they are normally problem free in my experience.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 141
Likes: 16
I think they are reliable vehicles. But I'll be honest, I've always made for darn sure I carried my AAA card and cell phone with me every time I've driven my vette. I've had the mysterious battery drain issue happen with my vette in the past after it had just been sitting a few days, luckily each time it was at home. So the car always now stays on the battery tender when not being driven. Since then I've always had this fear that if I just simply drive my vette to the gym, that something odd might happen when I come back out and it won't start or something.
Mechanically I think the vette is a good car, and of course the LS3 is an awesome motor. I just do not like the electrical setup of the vehicle, that's what worries me when it comes to reliability. But like 65GGvert said above, keep the battery charged and it should be problem free for ya.
Mechanically I think the vette is a good car, and of course the LS3 is an awesome motor. I just do not like the electrical setup of the vehicle, that's what worries me when it comes to reliability. But like 65GGvert said above, keep the battery charged and it should be problem free for ya.
Last edited by sunburstLS3; Mar 11, 2017 at 07:11 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 128
From: Wilson, TX
St. Jude Donor '17
I've also often thought that reading of the breakdowns and ailments on the forum, makes one wonder about the reliability. But, on the other hand, I've put over 13,000 miles on my '08 since I bought it last year with no problems whatsoever. I guess that isn't true, I did experience the dreaded gas smell and needed fuel pump replacement, which Chevrolet covered.
I bought it to drive and take every available opportunity to do just that. Don't be afraid of the reliability.
I bought it to drive and take every available opportunity to do just that. Don't be afraid of the reliability.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 565
From: Mesquite NV
I think they are very reliable. Coming up on 100K miles on my 2006 and it's only had one relatively minor issue and that was at around 90K miles when my shifter broke. As long as you keep up on the regular servicing I've found them to relatively maintenance free. 
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,114
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From: Pittsburgh
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,679
Likes: 185
From: Sunnyvale CA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'19
I have had a lot of problems with my Corvette and have to drive over 1 1/2 hours to get to a dealership I can trust.
I find it hard to believe people who say they have never had a problem.
I will not buy another Corvette.
I find it hard to believe people who say they have never had a problem.
I will not buy another Corvette.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,023
Likes: 1,645
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
I was being serious and trying to give the OP a yardstick - in nine years I spent $3,500 in repairs on my Accord and so far in ten years I have spent $250 on my C6, so far $600 on my seven year old LaCrosse.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 616
From: St Louis Area IL
Just because you've had issues with your vehicle, you believe everyone else must be having problems too???
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,329
Likes: 6,509
From: Melbourne, FL
My 2010 was flawless. My 2009 has some little plastic pieces cracked. My 2012 might need a yaw sensor. None of these are major issues and are all th I ngs I can easily and inexpensively fix myself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,679
Likes: 185
From: Sunnyvale CA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'19
I would hardly call the car reliable or problem free.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,187
Likes: 1,216
From: Las Vegas Nevada
There must be, at minimum, 10 very competent indie Corvette specialist shops within 45 minutes of you. Have you tried any of them?
I would really like to see you enjoy your Corvette. Maybe you need to have someone besides a dealer work on it.
