C7 engine problems, would you by a C7 today?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
C7 engine problems, would you by a C7 today?
I was all set to purchase a new C7 until I started reading about the problems the 2014 to 2016 cars are experiencing, specifically, in cabin electrical issues and engine problems that result in engines freezing up due to metal shards in the oil from poor milling process and Z06 engine overheating, are these infact real issues? I read that GM is replacing the engines under warranty and they are requiring oil change in first 500 miles, but what happens if the engine goes bad after the 4 year power train warranty is up and you have low miles on your car. ( which is pretty normal since most owners don't use there cars for daily drivers, this will be one very expensive out of pocket repair). Why did GM reduce there power train warranty on the 2016 C7s to 4 years/60,000 from the 20014, 2015 C7s 5 years/100,000, in my opinion this is suspicious when you consider engine and other issues. In final, am I being to paranoid and would you feel comfortable laying out $65k to $80K under the present circumstances? Looking forward to feedback, Thanks, C7 Wantabe owner.
Last edited by C7 Wantabe; Jan 10, 2016 at 03:16 AM. Reason: spelling and info
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 683
Likes: 140
From: Cookeville TN
Although when I was ordering my C7 Z06 there wasn't much information out there to weigh against my purchase, I would of still purchased my car even with the information available today. My car has for the most part trouble free, every vehicle I have bought in the last 15 years has had a issue although minor for the most part. I must admit I had more problems with my C6 after the recalls were performed.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 4,785
Likes: 1,417
Ok, here goes..
I just bought my 16, 2lt Z51. So I wasn't all that worried.
Yes, the Z06 seems to overheat on hot tracks. Mostly because of the automatic transmission. Easy to fix by either shifting the auto at 4000-4500 rpm, and not letting it shift itself.. Yeah, that does seem like a problem, and there are some engineering fixes. (additional radiator for more cooling at $700...)
Only cars with the dry sump oiling system, (Z06, and Z51 cars) are required to get the oil changed at 500 miles. Chevy is paying for it, so who cares...
Most failures, (any manufacturer), will occur pretty quickly, so if it's going to fail, it's probably going to do it under warranty. If you are that worried about it, don't own a car that isn't under warranty, or buy the GM extended warranty. It's cheap enough...
I'd think I'd feel worse buying a $300,000 Ferrari or a Porsche, and having it burn to the ground...
I just bought my 16, 2lt Z51. So I wasn't all that worried.
Yes, the Z06 seems to overheat on hot tracks. Mostly because of the automatic transmission. Easy to fix by either shifting the auto at 4000-4500 rpm, and not letting it shift itself.. Yeah, that does seem like a problem, and there are some engineering fixes. (additional radiator for more cooling at $700...)
Only cars with the dry sump oiling system, (Z06, and Z51 cars) are required to get the oil changed at 500 miles. Chevy is paying for it, so who cares...
Most failures, (any manufacturer), will occur pretty quickly, so if it's going to fail, it's probably going to do it under warranty. If you are that worried about it, don't own a car that isn't under warranty, or buy the GM extended warranty. It's cheap enough...
I'd think I'd feel worse buying a $300,000 Ferrari or a Porsche, and having it burn to the ground...
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 209
Likes: 10
From: Lexington SC
"am I being to paranoid"
I think you are. You can go on any automotive forum and see issues with those makes as well. I have a Toyota Tundra, and on the Tundra forum you can find a lot of folks having issues. My Tundra has 120,000 miles and is going strong. You won't tend to hear about the owners that have had no issues. I have a 2014 and it has been flawless through 14,000 miles and 13 track days. With that said, you should feel comfortable with what you purchase and if you are uncertain, I would pick something else. There are a lot of great choices out there.
I think you are. You can go on any automotive forum and see issues with those makes as well. I have a Toyota Tundra, and on the Tundra forum you can find a lot of folks having issues. My Tundra has 120,000 miles and is going strong. You won't tend to hear about the owners that have had no issues. I have a 2014 and it has been flawless through 14,000 miles and 13 track days. With that said, you should feel comfortable with what you purchase and if you are uncertain, I would pick something else. There are a lot of great choices out there.
Last edited by VThokies; Jan 10, 2016 at 09:02 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,180
Likes: 233
From: Minnetrista Minnesota
Let's get to the facts. 2014 production was 37,288 vehicles. 2015 production was 34,240 vehicles for a two year total of 71,528. Are there going to be a few cars with issues, you bet there are, but it is a very small percent. I have 9,000 miles on my 2014 and it has been nearly perfect. Love the car and smile every time I drive it. Don't get caught up in the few naysayers, as far as I am concerned they should go buy a Mustang and join there forum
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,101
From: Fulshear, TX
I ordered my car mid-cycle 2014 and its been nothing short of the best car I've ever owned. I have 20k miles on it and have been All over the country, and into Canada, with it. All new cars come with a warranty for a reason.
The reduction in powertrain warranty coverage has nothing to do with the Corvette specifically, it's Chevy, and GM, wide. They're also giving 2 less free oil changes. If the warranty is a huge confer for you though, find a leftover or used 2014/5.
The reduction in powertrain warranty coverage has nothing to do with the Corvette specifically, it's Chevy, and GM, wide. They're also giving 2 less free oil changes. If the warranty is a huge confer for you though, find a leftover or used 2014/5.
Last edited by Kracka; Jan 10, 2016 at 10:48 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
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
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 85
From: DFW Texas
You just need to stop reading forums. It's where people with problems come to vent their frustrations. My wife can point you towards a purse forum where girls get mad over issues with purses....
I've owned 4 vette's, drive them hard and never had any issues yet. My current c7 is s/c, headers & meth and I drive it like I stole it and she is just fine.
I've owned 4 vette's, drive them hard and never had any issues yet. My current c7 is s/c, headers & meth and I drive it like I stole it and she is just fine.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 322
From: Raleigh NC
The only thing to happen to my built 2015 C7 Z51 is the fuel pump started making noise after my last HPDE.
My dealership is replacing it under warranty after some wrestling with GM.
12k miles, 3 HPDE's.
She'll be ready this week.
Can't wait.
My dealership is replacing it under warranty after some wrestling with GM.
12k miles, 3 HPDE's.
She'll be ready this week.
Can't wait.
Last edited by Newton06; Jan 10, 2016 at 12:11 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 362
Likes: 47
We call this "the chicken little effect"- people read about an engine failure and assume all of the C7 Corvettes have this issue. This is fueled by alot of people on this forum who jump on the "it must be a piece of sh*t" bandwagon. The actual number of failures are very few.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
C7 Wantabe
We call this "the chicken little effect"- people read about an engine failure and assume all of the C7 Corvettes have this issue. This is fueled by alot of people on this forum who jump on the "it must be a piece of sh*t" bandwagon. The actual number of failures are very few.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 208
Likes: 40
From: Las Vegas NV
I had a 2001 Porsche 911. Known engine problem (IMS bearing fail) with some reports on the Internet as high as 30% fail rate. The fact is it is an 8% fail rate. I drove the car hard but changed the oil (mobile 1) at 3 to 4000 miles, kept the engine tuned and never over revved it. I sold the car for what I paid for it.
I have 12,000 miles on my 2015 C7. I have tracked it 3 times. Gone through a set of breaks and tires. Changed the oil before and after tracking IAW track day prep manual.
NO PROBLEMS with the engine or M7 trans. The only issues I have are a cracking sound in the roof (service message out but my chevy dealer sucks and wants the car for +24 hours to fix it) and orange peel paint that many other C7 owners have.
Drive your car like you want. Follow a regular maintenance plan. HAVE FUN
I have 12,000 miles on my 2015 C7. I have tracked it 3 times. Gone through a set of breaks and tires. Changed the oil before and after tracking IAW track day prep manual.
NO PROBLEMS with the engine or M7 trans. The only issues I have are a cracking sound in the roof (service message out but my chevy dealer sucks and wants the car for +24 hours to fix it) and orange peel paint that many other C7 owners have.
Drive your car like you want. Follow a regular maintenance plan. HAVE FUN
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 826
Likes: 52
From: Chicopee MA
I was all set to purchase a new C7 until I started reading about the problems the 2014 to 2016 cars are experiencing, specifically, in cabin electrical issues and engine problems that result in engines freezing up due to metal shards in the oil from poor milling process and Z06 engine overheating, are these infact real issues? I read that GM is replacing the engines under warranty and they are requiring oil change in first 500 miles, but what happens if the engine goes bad after the 4 year power train warranty is up and you have low miles on your car. ( which is pretty normal since most owners don't use there cars for daily drivers, this will be one very expensive out of pocket repair). Why did GM reduce there power train warranty on the 2016 C7s to 4 years/60,000 from the 20014, 2015 C7s 5 years/100,000, in my opinion this is suspicious when you consider engine and other issues. In final, am I being to paranoid and would you feel comfortable laying out $65k to $80K under the present circumstances? Looking forward to feedback, Thanks, C7 Wantabe owner.
Its 5 year 60,000 mile powertrain
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 683
Likes: 140
From: Cookeville TN
I ordered mine before they lowered to 60,000, as stated above my baby has been great. Also as stated above, I do believe if and when you do have a problem it will be before the 60,000 mark or you don't drive it enough.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,515
Likes: 1,302
From: Windermere FL
I'll tell you this, I specifically waited to get '15 because I wanted the much touted A8 and then my TCM roasted and GM replaced the A8 with 100 miles on the clock. Lots of A8 problems so I would be more concerned about the A8 verses the engine if you are considering the A8.
I was a bit concerned about the engine but from my reading, I think a lot of the issues resulted from the stupid AFM (cylinder de-activation). IMHO, GM should have neutered that like they did in the C6 for the Vette. So I installed a Range AFM Disabler and I am no longer concerned.
I was a bit concerned about the engine but from my reading, I think a lot of the issues resulted from the stupid AFM (cylinder de-activation). IMHO, GM should have neutered that like they did in the C6 for the Vette. So I installed a Range AFM Disabler and I am no longer concerned.
Last edited by Flame Red; Jan 10, 2016 at 06:51 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 127
Likes: 22
2015 a8 z51. 20,400 miles and at the drag strip every weekend. Absolutely no problems at all other than a squeaky roof. I wish a fixed roof were still available. Don't be scared of the auto. Drive it a little while before doing any warranty killing mods and then go for it.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 468
Likes: 67
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
I've got 8,400 miles on my '15 Z06 and autocross it. Except for one minor interior panel adjustment, the car has been absolutely bullet proof. As you may have heard, the A8's are problematic with heating issues on road courses, which is a bummer. Other than that, I'd say the C7's are great! You may want to check Consumer Reports to see what it says.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 440
From: Fonthill Ontario
I've got 15,000 miles on my '15 Z06 in less than 6 months driving across the US and Canada....no issues whatsoever and we pushed the hell out of it through 421 Snake Run, Tail of the Dragon, Angeles National Forest, the BRP, PCH ledge and so on. There are no more or less problems with this car than you might expect from any other. Forum reading will really throw a wrench in your plans though as people come to Forums to solve their problems for the most part, not to state how great their car is. From a personal view point, this car is an absolutely amazing car with no comparison worldwide when you factor in performance, pricing and configurability.
Last edited by AllFlash; Jan 10, 2016 at 10:32 PM.