2005 Chevrolet Corvette

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Chevrolet Corvette
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Corvette Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 6 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1984: 14 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 15 complaints 1987: 21 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 15 complaints 1990: 34 complaints 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 7 complaints 1993: 22 complaints 1993 1994: 29 complaints 1995: 32 complaints 1996: 44 complaints 1997: 153 complaints 1998: 399 complaints 1999: 308 complaints 1999 2000: 277 complaints 2001: 203 complaints 2002: 157 complaints 2003: 84 complaints 2004: 217 complaints 2005: 531 complaints 2005 2006: 365 complaints 2007: 340 complaints 2008: 539 complaints 2009: 151 complaints 2010: 84 complaints 2011: 84 complaints 2011 2012: 56 complaints 2013: 82 complaints 2014: 61 complaints 2015: 64 complaints 2016: 103 complaints 2017: 255 complaints 2017 2018: 51 complaints 2019: 147 complaints 2020: 33 complaints 2021: 11 complaints 2022: 20 complaints 2023: 22 complaints 2023 2024: 20 complaints 2025: 10 complaints 2025
2005: 531 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19803
19816
19820
198414
198516
198615
198721
198816
198915
199034
199124
19927
199322
199429
199532
199644
1997153
1998399
1999308
2000277
2001203
2002157
200384
2004217
2005531
2006365
2007340
2008539
2009151
201084
201184
201256
201382
201461
201564
2016103
2017255
201851
2019147
202033
202111
202220
202322
202420
202510

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 94 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

This lead to an injury accident which totaled the car.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241207

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY SERVICE HANDLING TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WENT TO RIGHT AND L RAN IN A DITCH 11000 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE AND NOT ONE AIR OPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20140725

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 17%

17% of complaints: electronic stability control (esc) — 90 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN ON THE DASH, IT SAYS SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171217

THE CAR SUDDENLY VEARED TO THE LEFT. IT WENT INTO THE OTHER LANE BEFORE I COULD CORRECT IT. THE STABILITY INDICATOR THEN ILLUMINATED. THE SERVICE BULLETIN HAS ALREADY BEEN ACCOMPLISHED FOR THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171208

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 15%

15% of complaints: exterior lighting — 82 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
STEERING 13%

13% of complaints: steering — 69 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 66 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

CHEVROLET 2005 CORVETTE. APROX.40,000 MILES DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. DRY/SUNNY. DRIVING SLOWLY IN MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. CHANGING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. PEDAL LOST PRESSURE, SANK TO THE FLOOR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070821

SAFETY TIMELINE

2005 — complaint volume: 531
R 20050118 — service brakes, hydraulic

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH ONE OR BOTH REAR BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINES THAT CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH OR BE AFFECTED BY HEAT FROM THE LEFT ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE LEFT EXHAUST PIP

Remedy: DEALERS WILL (1) INSPECT THE LEFT ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CLIP FOR PROPER ALIGNMENT AND PLACEMENT ON THE BODY-MOUNTED STUD. IF INCORRECT, THEY WILL REPOSITION THE CLIP ON THE BRAKE LINES AND REINSTAL

Campaign 04V525000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20051014 — steering

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GM

Campaign 05V455000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061019 — structure

ON CERTAIN 2005-2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTES EQUIPPED WITH PAINTED ROOFS, THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE ROOF PANEL AND THE FRAME MAY SEPARATE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE FOR POTENTIAL ROOF PANEL-TO- FRAME SEPARATION AND ADD THE SPECIFIED ADHESIVE FOAM OR REPLACE THE ROOF WITH ONE HAVING ADHESIVE FOAM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OC

Campaign 06V181000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20080917 — PE (closed 20090114)

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION

I 20090114 — EA (closed 20100511)

Electronic Stability Control

R 20100421 — structure

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2007 CORVETTE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A REMOVABLE ROOF AND MODEL YEAR 2006 AND 2007 CORVETTE Z06 VEHICLES. THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE ROOF PANE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN ROOF PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Campaign 09V491000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100430 — steering

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 2004 AND JANUARY 2006 EQUIPPED WITH A TILT AND TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN (RPO N37). IN

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR AT T

Campaign 10V172000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20130506 — PE (closed 20130826)

Loss of Low Beam Headlights

I 20130823 — EA (closed 20140624)

Simultaneous Loss of Low-Beam Headlights

R 20150102 — electrical system, exterior lighting

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles manufactured March 29, 2004, through June 22, 2007.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a jumper wire to correct this condition, free of charge. The recall began January 2, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 13146.

Campaign 14V251000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Chevrolet Corvette — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (94 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electronic stability control (esc) issues (90 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (82 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V525000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V455000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V181000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V491000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V172000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V251000 (electrical system, exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1995 ▲ 2020 ▲ 1990

WORST YEARS

■ 2008 ■ 1998 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette have?

6 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.