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I have a 2021 HTC with about 8400 miles. Kept in an A/C garage and use a sun shade when needed and only use a damp rag on it. All that is useless. Back in May I noticed the top of the driver's door panel trim began to bubble in several places. The GM extended warranty will not cover it. With a dealer discount , it cost me $1600 to replace. The other day the passenger dash pad began to bubble up. I'm going to attempt the glue and syringe repair. If that fails the cost is $1100 to replace the dash pad, air bag and 4 hours+ labor. I see no point in paying for a another defective part. This problem is so common that the dealer has all the parts in stock. Needless to say it is so disappointing that GM has not figured out this issue. Honestly, I don't think there is a solution but they still keep selling this trim level. If I ever buy another Corvette, it will not be a 3LT. Just beware if your ordering a 3LT. Peter
I agree. What is interesting to me is I have had a 3LT C6, 2014 C7, 2020 C8 and now my current E-Ray is a 3LZ. I've been fortunate none had has dash issues.
But for my 2017 Grand Sport GM got cheap and made what I had in my 2014 3LT look like a Patchwork Quilt. So I bought a 2LT. But the black dash needed some Red seat color material. The 3LT had a seat colored upper dash pad. So bought and installed.
From Pics below i could see not difference from what was probably plan vinyl and the faux "leather" GM calls Mulan (their Trade Name.) which the Red upper dash pad was made. As far as softness some quote, whatever padded Vinyl was on my 2LT Dash when pushed with your finger indented and "felt soft" to me!
From what I have seen I would be happy with a Plane Vinyl Dash! Mulan is NOT real tanned animal hide just a bit more expensive synthetic faux leather!
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Jul 14, 2025 at 09:35 PM.
Thanks C6-Miller for sharing. It makes others aware and hopefully makes GM aware, of the problem.
GM knows about this for C7's and C8's, yet they have not made any improvements.
So, I say it just isn't worth getting 3LT or 3LZ model.
Best wishes to all.
^^^^
Easy to say BUT I got 3LT's and my current 3LZ E-Ray for one reason, the only option for my Interior Color Choice. GM has cleaver marketing for what I consider better looking interior (Dipped) or my 3LZ E-Ray shades of green including the floor mats. Even if you upgrade to the GT2 Seats for ~$1600, the 3LT over the 2LT is $3500 premium, mostly for color. My color choice so I paid!
Now having zero issues with My c6, 2014 C7, 2020 C8 and E-Ray I'm frankly not that concerned. BUT I'd be happy paying and getting a simple Vinyl Dash in a minute!
Thanks C6-Miller for sharing. It makes others aware and hopefully makes GM aware, of the problem.
GM knows about this for C7's and C8's, yet they have not made any improvements.
So, I say it just isn't worth getting 3LT or 3LZ model.
Best wishes to all.
I also think the 3LT C6s have this issue. I made sure my last C7 and current C8 were not 3 LT. 2LT was just great for me.
In my last C7, I had the passenger pad, the batwing, and door trim changed over to Adrenaline red at an upholstery shop at a modest cost. I had the 3LT look without the 3LT headache.
Thanks C6-Miller for sharing. It makes others aware and hopefully makes GM aware, of the problem.
GM knows about this for C7's and C8's, yet they have not made any improvements.
So, I say it just isn't worth getting 3LT or 3LZ model.
Best wishes to all.
REALLY puts the ZR-1 and ZR-1X buyers in an odd spot, those cars are either 1LZ or 3LZ.
REALLY puts the ZR-1 and ZR-1X buyers in an odd spot, those cars are either 1LZ or 3LZ.
Yep, hard choices. Majority will have no problem.
I had a 2017 Grandsport, 3LT, and had no problem.
If people really like the 3LT, they should follow their dream.
Bummer that GM's extended warranty did NOT cover it. Curious if you knew about it BEFORE you bought the warranty? FWIW, I also have a 3LT and had entire dash & left/right panels replaced under the factory 3/36 B2B warranty. Been planning to buy an aftermarket warranty, primarily for the tranny but also for the notorious delam issue.
Unfortunately, this issue started with the C6 generation, through the C7's & into the current cars, bubbling can occur even if the car is kept out of the sun in a garage
I bought the extended GM warranty mainly for the transmission and other items that are expensive to repair. Three weeks after the 3 year warranty expired the front lift module had to be replaced which was almost the same cost as the extended warranty. What's so annoying is that these trim parts are failing so early in the ownership experience and GM has the nerve to expect the owners to pay thousands out of pocket to repair with parts that are as defective as what they put in at the factory. I called and started a case with GM customer service so I'll let you all know what happens. Peter
Not sure why anyone would pay extra to have a dash that bubbles? The 2LT is so close in looks it’s just wasted money in my opinion.
Originally Posted by badass1g
I’ve personally never seen a c7 3LT that didn’t have dash bubble
issues. It sounds like GM is still fumbling the bag. 💀
Then you didn't look at many C7s! My guess from forum posts 90+% had no issue.
As far as why I got a 3LT 2014 C7, 2020 C8 3LT and 2024 3LZ E-Ray in all cases I did it for my Interior Color choice.
Now IF you like Black interior (my 1st 2 Vettes) then I agree foolish waste of ~$3500. BUT I wanted what today is called Dipped.
My 2014 C7 Interior was Kalahari. Had to get a 3LT to get that. Cleaver GM Marketing IMO.
For my my 2020 3LT wanted Natural Dipped. Only could get as a 3LT. Again cleaver GM Marketing. In fact I would have opted for the upscale GT2 seats a $1600 option on a 2LT. Still would cost ~$3500 for my color choice and not much other that I needed.
For my 2024 E-Ray, had enough Red Vettes, it was my 7th and a Hybrid so got Cacti Exterior. The complementary Interior GM called Artemis (Greek Goddess of the Hunt.) It is shades of Dark Olive Green. Love it. No choice IF you wanted Artemis had to get a 3LZ, smart GM Marketing again.
Now GM got cheap in 2017 and reduced the seat color on Dash and Door Panels in 3LT to what looked to me as a Patchwork Quite. So I opted for a 2LT and picked Red! Dumb Marketing as they lost me and I'm sure others. In fact I bought a 3LT Red seat color upper dash pad and installed. Saved $3000 and liked the interior better!
GM Marketing got smart and hooked me back to 3LT and 3LZ with interior colors. I paid ~$3500 (assuming I would have opted for the GT2 seats, a $1600 option for a 2LT) JUST for the interior color I wanted. My money and what I wanted so that is what I got.
Options for my 2017 Grand Sport
Would I have gotten a 3LT if in had a Vinyl Dash? Sure! Both Mulan (GM's coined name and Vinyl are manmade Fake Leather produced on large rolls with a "leather" finish look. I could not tell the difference in my 2LT 2017 Grand Sport between the Vinyl Dash and 3LT upper dash part I bought. Heck in my 3LZ E-Ray can't tell much difference between the only real tanned animal hide, the seating surface, and the Mulan bolster! Why has GM not fixed? IMO with the small % that have to be replaced during Warranty they don't even have to pay! It's probably up to the supplier to replace and reimburse GM whatever they pay dealers to fix! After Warranty not GM's cost either, the owner pays! Do I think it cost GM even close to ~$3000 more for 3LT over 2LT? No way it's to increase margin! Smart, you have a choice!
3LT warning
