No one asked, but figured I would share my story for anyone willing to listen on the absolute saga that has been my Corvette C8 experience.

TLDR: I have been plagued with issue after issue with the car. I still enjoy the car and it is amazing, but it has definitely left a sour taste in my mouth.


Corvette has always been a dream car of mine, and when I finally ordered a C8 I was ecstatic. I ordered a Shadow Gray '21 3LT HTC and it was built in the height of the covid supply chain issues. So they had 1 week of production in April 2021, and my car was built during what week. Thankfully it just got ordered in time, because the Shadow Gray color was discontinued shortly there after.




Without going into a dramatic retelling of all my woes, I figured I would just run through the things that have caused my car, that is only 1,135 days old, spend about 14% of its entire life, in the shop (not including the days where I had the vehicle and had issues with it but it was still drivable like it currently is).

Not sure how to add pictures on the PC so will update this from my phone for reference photos.

1. Since the day I got the car, the paint was chipped near the headlight like many others had dealt with because of the headlight unit rubbing against the body. - No fix really available.
2. Sporadically, about 1-2x a month, when using the passenger window, it jumps out of the track or something and makes an incredibly loud bang/pop noise. It is startling but unable to be replicated in the shop, so rather than tearing apart the door trim to see what might be happening, I let it be. - not willing to try and fix because of the work required.
3. Moisture in the headlights after raining or washing the vehicle. Was told by the tech this is "normal" and evaporates and he gave me a GM service bulletin printout. - nothing to really fix and is 'normal'
   
4. My 3LT dash panel delaminated - was replaced under warranty.
5. Multiple Check Engine lights, mostly since I had gotten my Borla Attak exhaust (which I absolutely love and recommend) - need to get the dealer to confirm that is what is causing issues and I will reach out to Borla about it
6. Front lift system had broken at one point- got an error message "service front lift" and I believe it was a hydraulic pump that had to be replaced. - fixed under warranty.
7. The navigation chip had stopped working and the gps could't work and the speed limit signs on the dash wouldn't work either. - replaced under warranty
8. The breaks are very squeaky - even after seating them (or whatever it is called when you heat them up/break hard) whenever it is cool and damp out (Fall/Spring) - no fix really
9. Software update bricked the car. When I parked, I saw "software update available" and I hit install. I went to move it a few hours later and the door wouldn't unlock. Figured the battery might have died. Tried jumping it, charging it, nothing. It wouldn't budge. Had it towed to the dealership on dollies because we couldn't disengage from park. Turns out they had to do some sort of BCM recalibration for the car to acknowledge it had power or something. Anyways, it took a long time to get the diagnosis and fix it -- resolved under warranty
10. The issue above also made the wireless charger inoperable once I got the car back and had to get a new wireless charger module - repaired under warranty
11. Whenever the windows are wet, like after a rain or wash, they squeak alllll the way up and down when they are moving - unable to resolve, just have to live with it
12. Currently, the convertible top is not working. It appears a wire in one of the harnesses was rubbed away/frayed from normal wear and tear use. They are looking for the part, and there are none available in the US and there is no ETA whatsoever on when this part will come in. So I can drive the car, but can't use the top (go figure when it is finally getting nice out). Optimistically, I am hoping by August. - trying to get part under warranty.
13. The biggest issue though, is that there is a reoccurring moisture issue with the car. Whenever it rains or is foggy/humid and cool (like Fall/Winter/Spring) the suede steering wheel gets soaked. I have made threads about this before, and it still happening. Replaced the wheel 2x with new steering wheels, and still happening. They found a vent in the firewall in the front (a pressure valve to let air out of the car when you shut the door) that wasn't installed properly and wasn't a tight seal. However even after repairing this, it is still happening (albeit it not as bad). They did a leak test and found multiple spots where there was air escaping where GM (they sent a tech out to the dealer to investigate) said it was "normal/acceptable" but the tech at the chevy dealer thought it was borderline a lot of flow. He also found moisture stains in the A pillar on the driver side, but not able to figure out where it is coming from. It doesn't happen in the summer because the interior of the car is too hot, but we will see what happens in the fall. - issue is ongoing
    
    the dark is the wet suede, it’s normally the light gray color. The squiggles are from the heated steering wheel element evaporating the moisture

13) The rear window defroster, the orange grid of the heating elements is starting to peel away. Whole window has to be replaced and it's a pain in the butt to do (lots of parts taken out) so it isn't worth it to me. - will live with it for the time being

So yeah - it has been in the shop over 157 days, it has been drivable with an issue (like the broken convertible top or the broken front lift) right now for even more days, and its been over $12k in warrant work.

I will add pictures in a little bit.

So I still love the car, it's been an amazing car It's been my daily (and my only car) with over 40k miles. I would do it all again and I still smile every time my Borla exhaust roars to life. But still, for all these issues with a car that was almost $100k and barely over 3 years old, I would have hoped for a little bit better.

I luckily bought the 5 year/60k mile exerted warranty, but once that expires - I am terrified of owning the car outside of warranty. Which is a shame because I planned to have this car for a very very long time (10-15+ years) - but now I am not so sure. Also, I didn't buy the car for resale value, but still - whenever I DO go to sell it, the Carfax will be the size of War and Peace with how many service visits I have had on the vehicle.

Anyways, had just been frustrated with it lately and wanted to rant. Have a great holiday weekend everyone and drive safe!

 

Yikes. More issues than my 2011 3500 work van with 140k on it Build quality sure did go to chit with the Rona, I blame the CCP

 

I know you don’t want to hear this, I think you have a great case to lemon law that car and get another one. That’s way too many problems to deal with.

 

Wow...sorry for your problems. It's for sure one reason I do not buy the first year of a "new" car....

 

lemon law in most states is that you have to have ONE problem that has been in the shop more than 30 business days… Do you have that? And verifiable by the in and out times and dates on repair orders?

 

It sounds like a better service department might have made a fairly big difference with your experience. I’m sorry it worked out this way for you.

 

The OP stated that the car is a little over 3 years old so in most (all?) states the Lemon Law has expired. On the other hand since the problems occured within the 3 years the Lemon Law may be applicable. I'd definitely inquire about it.

 

I am feeling your pain also, my new 2024 was built 12/12 2023 and I'm calling it a Christmas car build with the employee's heads elsewhere thinking about the upcoming holiday. I used to be a foreman in the electrical industry and experienced this yearly with my crew.
The body was so poorly assembled it was the craziest thing I have ever seen on a new vehicle, I've since then disassembled almost all the body panels and realigned them to get it to be acceptable to me. I decided I needed to make my own happiness on that one and not let anyone else touch that.
Then at 3500 miles I found a bad front hub on one side sounding crunchy , I have that replacement hub in my garage now and plan on fixing that myself as well. I was not about to get it warranty over a $170.00 hub.
Then yesterday I heard a squeaking from the engine compartment and looking around I found my transmission is leaking and leaving a trail of fluid on the rear aero pan under the muffler. I've owned this vehicle for approximately six weeks now and it seems like a lot issues.
I'm sorry in advance for all corvette enthusiasts who might take the complaints as slighting team corvette, but what a mess. This vehicle attracted me by the legend corvette has built up over the years and I wanted something with a 6.2 liter, my neighbors new silverado 2500 was making me jealous every time he started it and idled past my house. And the whole mid engine thing as well.
I've had to adjust my expectations with this vehicle and feel the same as the OP , I still love this thing, there's not another vehicle that has this type of aura spending time cruising it. But I should say I'm already thinking of going back to BMW and getting a 2023 M4 CSL as my be all end all vehicle to keep for life. BMW traverse city treats me like a king and seems to be avoiding all the industry problems that are sweeping thru the auto industry right now. I traded in a 2023 M2 that was absolutely problem free and still perfect at 16k miles for this headache I've gotten myself into this summer. This car is like dating the hottest woman you've ever seen, only to discover she is an absolute lunatic, and you have to let her go.
Jeffrey

 

Edit: I got the quotes to work lol - I am in the process of doing this.

For my state, NJ -- the option is only to do a buyback from GM. In this case, they figure out the math based on miles driven (which I have a lot of) - the remaining balance on my loan payments, and then give me cash for it. When I work out the napkin math, it looks like I would get about $60k after it is all said and done (and not have any car to show for it - as GM would take the car back).

Some states allow for an MSRP swap where I can get a new one and pay the difference in MSRP between my car and the new one, but NJ is not that state.

According to my lawyer, I will most likely be offered a cash settlement (aprox 20% of what I paid for the car) is what I would be awarded (with their fees already taken out of that amount) and I would keep the vehicle.

The issue is, a lot of this has been happening more recently and is not covered under Lemon Law as NJ is 2 years OR 24k miles, both which I am over. The main driver for the lemon case is the moisture issue that has been documented within the 2 years/24k miles time frame.

edit: also, if I did the buyback, GM wouldn’t give me any $$ toward the $3500 Borla Attak or the $6k in tints, ceramic, and PPF.

 

Dang yeah, I feel your pain for sure. As you stated too - I love this car. I fell in love with Corvette when I was 8 and saw a Yellow C6 with my dad at the NYC Auto Show and thought it was the coolest car there. But overall the experience has left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth through all of this. I get it, its not a $400k Lamborghini or a Porsche 911 or something, but still for an MSRP that was almost kissing $100k and for a car that is BARELY 3 years old, I would have hoped for better.

Now I guess perspective is important - I am beyond fortunate (esp at my younger age) to be able to even afford a car like this while most people my age are still struggling paying off their college loans. So at the end of the day, I really can't complain and there are bigger things in life to worry about - but still, I don't think that this invalidates some of my frustrations with the car. It is no knock to the Corvette team either, it's a beautiful piece of art and engineering all bundled up. Every time I start it and drive it I love it.

And I understand I am in the minority here with issues, I am glad most people have had a flawless experience with their car! These are mass produced and things so some are going to 'sneak by the goalie' and QA won't always be perfect. Also there are so many moving parts in a car like this, that it is hard to keep track of it all and things.

But still, just disappointing. What I had thought would be the start of a long life of owning corvettes over the generations might end up being a one and done deal for myself. Not because I don't want to, I would LOVE to own a corvette forever, but this experience has just left a somewhat bitter taste in my mouth...

 

I would just trade it in at this point… too many issues for me

 

I know but even at trade in it really wouldn’t be worth that much. It’s a ‘21 with 40k miles on it now, with a service history longer than some memoirs, and new theyre selling for below MSRP. The only plus sides is that it is a discontinued color so maybeee there is like a $1k increase in value there. And I have PPF, ceramic, tints, and Borla Attak system…

and honestly my other issue is… how do I go from Daily driving this to some other car 😅

 

Per NJ Lemon Law, the refund is based on the mileage at the time the problem was first brought to the dealer to fix, not the current mileage.

 

This sounds like a story that someone at GM should hear - get in touch with the district service manager through your service department and see if they have a way to improve your owner experience.

 

Sounds way worse than Nick Murray's Porsche 911 issues, with 1.9 Million views. Porsche relented after youtube complaint and gave him a new one.
________________________________________
Currently own:
2019 Mustang GT Premium 6MT Daily Driver
2023 Corvette Stingray 2LT
2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
2009 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

 

look to trade for a used 22? I’d take my lumps, you are always going to be looking over your shoulder.

its a mystery of life how a car like yours gets built when the one next to it is trouble free.

 

You’re a lot more patient than me sir. I would have sold or traded that a long time ago.

 

I too would of ditched the car long ago.

Once the warranty expires, get rid of it. Sounds like a ticking time bomb of repairs and cash that will leave your pocket.

 

ICYMI, the OP's car is a 2021

 

Yep, I lemon lawed my C7 with 40K miles on it in California and they went back to the date of the first problem. My GPS had a red X displayed when I picked up my car and I had 164 miles on it when I brought it in to get fixed. They went back to 164 miles as what was deducted for use.