Problems · NHTSA complaints

2005 Chevrolet Corvette problems

Owners filed 538 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette with NHTSA between Nov 2004 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (101).

Complaints
538
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
12
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system101
  2. Electronic stability control (esc)90
  3. Exterior lighting86
  4. Steering78
  5. Power train70
  6. Structure56
  7. Air bags44
  8. Service brakes39
  9. Fuel/propulsion system20
  10. Service brakes, hydraulic20
  11. Traction control system17
  12. Engine and engine cooling16
  13. Engine13
  14. Vehicle speed control11

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
20042
200517
200627
20075
200813
200933
201048
201128
201232
201356
201498
201549
201633
201717
201821
201917
202015
20218
20225
20236
20244
20252
20262

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

Electrical system

101 reports3 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“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. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V251000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 123,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11754498

Electronic stability control (esc)

90 reports5 crashes1 fire
“WAS DRIVING AROUND 25 MPH WHEN THE SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING LIGHT CAME ON AND I ALMOST CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR BECAUSE THE BRAKES APPLIED AND STEERED TO THE RIGHT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2020Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11324485

Exterior lighting

86 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the headlights were flickering and then became inoperable. The fuse box was melted. There was smoke detected from underneath the hood. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V251000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed the contact that the part was no longer produced. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 23, 2024Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11603964

Steering

78 reports4 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“steering wheel lock car cannot start and this can happen while driving and could cause a accident chevy knows of problem and has been recalled but has not solved the problem knowed as steering wheel lock”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2024SteeringODI 11563372

Power train

70 reports1 crash1 fire
“The transmission shifter lock starts to sporadically not release keeping transmission in park (online many say this is a very common problem for 2005-08s, maybe more years), this could strand someone.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2021Power trainODI 11438698

Structure

56 reports2 crashes2 related recalls
“While driving at approximately 50 mph, the outer painted panel of the removable targa roof began separating from its supporting frame. The roof frame remained latched to the vehicle, but the driver-side front/top-left corner of the painted panel lifted far enough that I could see daylight between the panel and frame. I immediately pulled off the highway, removed the roof, stored it in the trunk, and drove home. The panel did not completely detach and there was no crash, injury, or property damage. Continued separation could allow the panel to detach while driving and strike occupants or surrounding traffic. The vehicle was purchased used in 2011 with this painted roof installed. Factory build information lists option CC3, indicating the vehicle originally had a transparent removable roof. GM Customer Care reviewed the VIN and build information, stated that the vehicle was not included in safety recall 09230 because it was originally equipped with a transparent roof, and declined assistance. No physical inspection by GM was performed. The failure appears similar to removable-roof panel separation addressed in GM campaigns 06041 and 09230; I am not claiming this…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026StructureODI 11773040
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.