MYRModel Year Report

2005 Chevrolet Corvette

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Chevrolet Corvette
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
532
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

19% of complaints

Complaints per year

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: 278 complaints 2001: 203 complaints 2002: 157 complaints 2003: 85 complaints 2004: 217 complaints 2005: 532 complaints 2005 532 2006: 365 complaints 2007: 341 complaints 2008: 541 complaints 2009: 151 complaints 2010: 84 complaints 2011: 85 complaints 2011 2012: 56 complaints 2013: 82 complaints 2014: 63 complaints 2015: 64 complaints 2016: 104 complaints 2017: 256 complaints 2017 2018: 51 complaints 2019: 148 complaints 2020: 34 complaints 2021: 13 complaints 2022: 21 complaints 2023: 26 complaints 2023 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 11 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 6 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1984: 14 complaints 1984 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 15 complaints 1987: 21 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 15 complaints 1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 7 complaints 1993: 22 complaints 1993 1994: 29 complaints 1995: 32 complaints 1996: 44 complaints 1996 1997: 153 complaints 1998: 399 complaints 1999: 308 complaints 1999 2000: 278 complaints 2001: 203 complaints 2002: 157 complaints 2002 2003: 85 complaints 2004: 217 complaints 2005: 532 complaints 2005 532 2006: 365 complaints 2007: 341 complaints 2008: 541 complaints 2008 2009: 151 complaints 2010: 84 complaints 2011: 85 complaints 2011 2012: 56 complaints 2013: 82 complaints 2014: 63 complaints 2014 2015: 64 complaints 2016: 104 complaints 2017: 256 complaints 2017 2018: 51 complaints 2019: 148 complaints 2020: 34 complaints 2020 2021: 13 complaints 2022: 21 complaints 2023: 26 complaints 2023 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 11 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 6 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1984: 14 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1985 1986: 15 complaints 1987: 21 complaints 1987 1988: 16 complaints 1989: 15 complaints 1989 1990: 34 complaints 1991: 24 complaints 1991 1992: 7 complaints 1993: 22 complaints 1993 1994: 29 complaints 1995: 32 complaints 1995 1996: 44 complaints 1997: 153 complaints 1997 1998: 399 complaints 1999: 308 complaints 1999 2000: 278 complaints 2001: 203 complaints 2001 2002: 157 complaints 2003: 85 complaints 2003 2004: 217 complaints 2005: 532 complaints 2005 532 2006: 365 complaints 2007: 341 complaints 2007 2008: 541 complaints 2009: 151 complaints 2009 2010: 84 complaints 2011: 85 complaints 2011 2012: 56 complaints 2013: 82 complaints 2013 2014: 63 complaints 2015: 64 complaints 2015 2016: 104 complaints 2017: 256 complaints 2017 2018: 51 complaints 2019: 148 complaints 2019 2020: 34 complaints 2021: 13 complaints 2021 2022: 21 complaints 2023: 26 complaints 2023 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 11 complaints 2025

2005: 532 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
2000278
2001203
2002157
200385
2004217
2005532
2006365
2007341
2008541
2009151
201084
201185
201256
201382
201463
201564
2016104
2017256
201851
2019148
202034
202113
202221
202326
202421
202511

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

19% · 101 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

This lead to an injury accident which totaled the car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-12-07

Also filed under Air bags

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-07-25

Also filed under Air bags

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the low-beam headlights malfunctioned and failed to illuminate as needed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-03

Also filed under Exterior lighting

Electronic stability control (esc)

17% · 90 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2017-12-17

Also filed under Service brakes

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, 2017-12-08

Exterior lighting

16% · 87 reports

Most commonly citing headlights.

FIRE

Steering

14% · 77 reports

Most commonly citing column and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

14% · 74 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and column shift.

CRASHFIRE
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, 2007-08-21

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2005Complaint volume 532 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2005-01-18Service brakes, hydraulic04V525000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2005-10-14Steering05V455000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2006-10-19Structure06V181000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2008-09-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-01-14 Electronic stability control malfunction
  6. I
    2009-01-14Engineering analysisClosed 2010-05-11 Electronic Stability Control
  7. R
    2010-04-21Structure09V491000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2010-04-30Steering10V172000 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).…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2013-05-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2013-08-26 Loss of Low Beam Headlights
  10. I
    2013-08-23Engineering analysisClosed 2014-06-24 Simultaneous Loss of Low-Beam Headlights
  11. R
    2015-01-02Electrical system, exterior lighting14V251000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Chevrolet Corvette — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 101 reports on file for this year.
  • Electronic stability control (esc): 90 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 87 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V525000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 05V455000 · Steering
  • Recall 06V181000 · Structure
  • Recall 09V491000 · Structure
  • Recall 10V172000 · Steering
  • Recall 14V251000 · Electrical system, exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.