2004 Chevrolet Corvette
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 3 |
| 1981 | 6 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1984 | 14 |
| 1985 | 16 |
| 1986 | 15 |
| 1987 | 21 |
| 1988 | 16 |
| 1989 | 15 |
| 1990 | 34 |
| 1991 | 24 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1993 | 22 |
| 1994 | 29 |
| 1995 | 32 |
| 1996 | 44 |
| 1997 | 153 |
| 1998 | 399 |
| 1999 | 308 |
| 2000 | 277 |
| 2001 | 203 |
| 2002 | 157 |
| 2003 | 84 |
| 2004 | 217 |
| 2005 | 531 |
| 2006 | 365 |
| 2007 | 340 |
| 2008 | 539 |
| 2009 | 151 |
| 2010 | 84 |
| 2011 | 84 |
| 2012 | 56 |
| 2013 | 82 |
| 2014 | 61 |
| 2015 | 64 |
| 2016 | 103 |
| 2017 | 255 |
| 2018 | 51 |
| 2019 | 147 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 10 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
36% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 78 distinct reports on file.
24% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 52 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
A month after I purchased the car with approximately 40k miles, I took the car in for an oil change at the dealership and was told there was a major leak in the left fuel tank and at the crossover tube. This leaking fuel is leaking onto the exhaust.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231124
Fuel tank leaking/fumes. Appeara to be crossover tube connection connecting the 2 tanks.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230904
AFTER FILLING UP MY VEHICLE, DROVE HOME SAT IN DRIVEWAY FOR A FEW MINUTES, ADJUSTED RADIO STATIONS, I SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GAS, TURN VEHICLE OFF STILL SMELLING GAS, LOOKED UNDER DRIVER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE AND SEEN A PUDDLE OF FLUID, PUT MY FINGER...
NHTSA ODI report, 20180408
12% of complaints: steering — 26 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140925
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180612
6% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 12 distinct reports on file.
4% of complaints: electronic stability control (esc) — 8 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEMS (ECL), WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED TO "LOCK," THE ECL SYSTEM PREVENTS TURNING OF THE STEERING SYSTEM. WHEN THE VEH
Remedy: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL DISABLE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK BY REMOVING THE COLUMN LOCK PLATE. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WIL
Campaign 04V060000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL STUD NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES WITH WASHERS WERE MADE OF THE WRONG MATERIAL. THE WASHERS MAY FRACTURE AND BECOME LOOSE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL STUD JOINTS AND MEASURE THE TORQUE OF THE NUT FOR ALL FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS IN ALL MODELS AFFECTED AS WELL AS THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THE XLR AND CORVETTE. IF
Campaign 04V273000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
Fuel Tank Leak
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2004 Chevrolet Corvette — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (78 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (52 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (26 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 04V060000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V273000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette?
The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.