Problems · NHTSA complaints

2004 Chevrolet Corvette problems

Owners filed 217 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette with NHTSA between Jun 2004 and Aug 2024. The most-cited component is fuel system, gasoline (95).

Complaints
217
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Fuel system, gasoline95
  2. Fuel/propulsion system52
  3. Steering36
  4. Electrical system11
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)8
  6. Service brakes7
  7. Traction control system5
  8. Air bags4
  9. Vehicle speed control4
  10. Visibility4
  11. Structure3
  12. Engine2
  13. Suspension2
  14. Exterior lighting2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20047
20058
20064
20072
20088
200910
201064
201113
20127
201311
201412
20158
201615
20179
20187
20199
20203
20217
20224
20237
20242

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Fuel system, gasoline

95 reports
“The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the odor of gasoline was detected by the contact and his wife. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the odor of gasoline was strongest in the cabin after refueling the vehicle to a full tank. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that a cross fill tube needed to be installed. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that the gasoline odor was again detected while driving at various speeds. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE10015 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2023Fuel system, gasolineODI 11536947

Fuel/propulsion system

52 reports
“- Fuel tank leaks - gasoline puddles under car, heavy fumes - Fire / explosion hazard - Confirmed by local mechanic as existing problem in that year - Inspected and confirmed by selling dealer - trying to repair - No auto warning, smell of fumes and gas on garage floor day after delivery of car”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2024Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11605841

Steering

36 reports3 crashes2 related recalls
“The contact's friend owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while his friend was starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that they were unable to assist due to the age of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V060000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2022SteeringODI 11476933

Electrical system

11 reports
“The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle failed to move farther than five feet before the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The pull-out key and wait-ten-seconds message were displayed. The contact had to release the key from the ignition and restart the vehicle. The contact called an independent mechanic and was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 15, 2023Electrical system, EngineODI 11560269

Electronic stability control (esc)

8 reports
“WHEN USING TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL THE ACTIVE HANDLING LIGHT A CAME ON AND THE CAR PULLED HARD TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE WHILE DRIVING . I HAD NEVER USED THE TELESCOPING STERLING WHEEL FEATURE PRIOR TO THIS .*DT*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2020Unknown or other, Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesODI 11310916

Service brakes

7 reports
“THE EBCM DOES NOT WORK I'VE TRIED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED 3 TIMES NOW TOLD UNREPAIRABLE GM NO LONGER MAKES THE PART WITH SO MANY VETTE OWNERS HAVING THIS PROBLEM YOU WOULD WONDER WHY THERE ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE CAUSE NOW WE ARE DRIVING VEHICLE NOT THE WAY IT WAS INTENDED SPOKE TO GM MANY TIMES PRETTY TOLD DISCONTINUED SORRY TOO BAD YOUR ON YOUR OWN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2019Service brakesODI 11288152
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.