Problems · by component

2008 Chevrolet Corvette electrical system problems

41 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette cite electrical system, 7% of all 589 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
41
7% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I just bought a 2008 Chevy Corvette convertible and parked in the garage. The next morning the garage has distinct smell of gas throughout the garage. If my heater to the house would have kicked on the house would have blown up. This is a safety issue which should be addressed by Chevy. After researching the issue, it seems to be a common issue, which should be a recall. Even after moving it outside, when I get in the car it smells of gas.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2025Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11655714
“The vehicle would not shift out of Park. Car has less than 20,000 miles. This happened once in a while at first then over time increased to almost every other time the car was started. I took it for repair and was told after searching the VIN # that my 2008 was installed with a 2007 shifter and gear. They said Chevy had numerous problems with the 2007 shifter and changed the 2008 parts so this would not happen. I had to replace both parts at around $2,500.00! I also had to wait on the parts to be found and there was only one available in the entire U.S. Chevy should have to pay for my repair since a 2007 part(s) should not have been placed in a 2008!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2022Power train, Electrical systemODI 11458458
“THE BATTERY ON MY CORVETTE PHYSICALLY EXPLODED WHEN I TRIED TO START IT AND LITERALLY BLEW PART OF THE BATTERY AWAY AND STARTED A FIRE. IT WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY KILLED ME IF I HAD THE HOOD OPEN AND WAS INSPECTING THE ENGINE. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO GM AND TODAY I RECEIVED THE ACDELCO GENERIC FORM LETTER DATED 25 SEPTEMBER 2020 MAKING THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE BATTERY WAS BEING CHARGED FOR 8-YEARS, MAKE THE ASSUMPTION IT WAS OVER CHARGED AND INSTRUCT ME TO GO AND BUY AN AIR FRESHENER TO GET THE ACID SMELL OUT OF MY VEHICLE. AS A PROUD AND LOYAL GM VEHICLE OWNER FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS, I FIND YOUR ARROGANT RESPONSE TO OUR COMPLAINT NOTHING LESS THAN DISGUSTING AND IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION LIKE GENERAL MOTORS. FURTHERMORE, MAKING FALSE CLAIMS AND OUTRIGHT LYING DOES NOT HELP THE IMAGE OF YOUR COMPANY. ONE GETS THE IMPRESSION THAT YOU ARE READING A GENERAL RESPONSE FROM A Q-CARD WITHOUT ANY FEELING OR ANY INTENTION TO TRY AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE, NEVER MIND RESOLVING THE ISSUE. PROVIDE US WITH THE CONTACT DETAILS OF YOUR DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR TO TAKE IT UP DIRECTLY WITH HIM. DURING OUR CALL TODAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2020 YOUR OFFICE WAS ADAMANT THAT…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 19, 2020Electrical systemODI 11375452
“AN INSTANCE OCCURRED WHERE THE BATTERY LEAKED ACID DOWN PAST THE BATTERY TRAY AND ONTO THE WIRING HARNESSES BELOW. SUBSEQUENT CORROSION OF WIRINGS WITHIN THE HARNESS (OF WHICH CONTAIN APPROXIMATELY FORTY INDIVIDUAL WIRES), CAUSING BREAKS AND SHORTS IN SEVERAL CREATING A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. A NO START CONDITION OCCURRED RESULTING FROM THE AFFECTED WIRES LEADING TO THE ECM AS WELL AS OTHERS CONTAINED IN THE HARNESS. EITHER THE BATTERY TRAY SHOULD BE MODIFIED TO CONTAIN OR ROUTE POSSIBLE ACID FROM LEAKING DOWN PAST IT OR THE FABRICATION OF A LIQUID TIGHT COMPARTMENT BE INSTALLED TO CONTAIN THE WIRING HARNESS ITSELF. SINCE THE HARNESS IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM GM THE CHEVROLET SERVICE TECHNICIAN SPLICED IN NUMEROUS LENGTHS OF NEW WIRES TO BYPASS THE AFFECTED AREAS WITHIN THE HARNESS. LABOR COST OF APPROXIMATELY $3000 FOR THE REPAIR. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO SOLUTION TO PREVENT FUTURE OCCURRENCES OF THIS ISSUE. THUS MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE OR HOUSE IN PROXIMITY TO PEOPLE AND THEIR PROPERTY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2020Electrical systemODI 11363513
“WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR AND IT IS A CONVERTIBLE AND WE CANT GET THE TOP WORKING AT ALL.WE TOOK IT WHERE WE PURCHASED IT AND THEY DON'T HAVE A CLUE HOW TO FIX IT.THIS IS THE SECOND THING THAT WAS WRONG. WE GOT THE FUEL PUMP LEAK REPAIRED.WE CANT ENJOY THE CAR IF THE TOP DOESN'T WORK.IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING IF YOU CANT ENJOY IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 9, 2019Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11288032
“GEAR SHIFT RELEASE BUTTON LOCKS AND OPERATOR IS UNABLE TO SHIFT VEHICLE BACK INTO PARK OR EVEN REVERSE AT TIMES. VEHICLE MAY ALSO GET STUCK IN REVERSE AND NOT BE ABLE TO GO BACK INTO PARK NOR DRIVE. ISSUE HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND MAKES VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2018Power train, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11110601

Showing 6 of 41 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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