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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Fuel system, gasoline95
- Fuel/propulsion system52
- Steering36
- Electrical system11
- Electronic stability control (esc)8
- Service brakes7
- Traction control system5
- Air bags4
- Vehicle speed control4
- Visibility4
- Structure3
- Engine2
- Suspension2
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
7
8
4
2
8
10
64
13
7
11
12
8
15
9
7
9
3
7
4
7
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 64 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 2 |
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.
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.”
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”
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.”
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.”
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”
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”
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.