Problems · by component

2008 Chevrolet Corvette engine problems

46 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette cite engine, 8% of all 589 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
46
8% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I am a long time Corvette owner and have purchased many through the years. I recently purchased a 2008 Corvette Coupe with only 30k miles, one owner vehicle. Unbelievable to me, I have had to spend over $4,000 the past month replacing the ECM and most notably the Fuel Pump, to relieve the constant Fuel Smell, not to mention the rack and pinion steering gear needs to be replaced, with again, only 30k miles on the vehicle, and that part is discontinued. The failure of the ECM almost cost my wife and I our life when we were coming home to [XXX] from [XXX] . The car completely lost all power on the highway and we almost got railed by traffic. Not a good situation to say the least. I almost had a heart attack. So we had to have it towed and finally made it home, only to find out the next day after a nice ride, my entire garage was overwhelmed with a gas smell that evening which permeated through the whole house. I took notice that GM covered this exact situation with GM Bulletin # xxx back in 2017, so they KNEW there was a problem! My question is, how can GM not cover this NOW. Many 2008 Corvettes are still being bought and sold. I spent over $2800 for this last…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2026Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11736536
“Low beams don't work when the engine gets hot, I was driving the other night at 10pm and the headlights went out. Pitch black and almost wrecked.......This is a know issue..... Fuel pump has small cracks in the top of driver side fuel pump could start fire, and its a know issue....... Heads on the LS7 also know valve issue. It will ruin the motor.....”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2023Exterior lighting, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11508682
“The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while driving out of his driveway, the "Service Active Handling System" warning light was illuminated. Neither the dealer nor an independent mechanic was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,600.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2021EngineODI 11430514
“THAT NIGHT I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE BLEW UP BECAUSE THE VALVE DROPPED THOUGH THE 8TH CYLINDER AND THE CAR SHOOK ALL THE EQUIPMENT STOPPED WORKING AND THE BRAKE NOT WORKING WELL ,I WAS SO SCARED THAT THE ROAD WAS VERY BUSY , THANKFULLY I DROVE THE CAR TO A SAFE PLACE,THE CAR MAKE 2008 ONLY 34 K MILE ,MY CAR HAD BEEN REPAIR AT CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP COST OVER 16 THOUSAND DOLLARS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2020EngineODI 11323808
“ALL EXHAUST VALVES OUT OF SPECIFICATION AT 9,500 MILES; 6 OF 8 INTAKE VALVE GUIDES OUT OF SPECIFICATION; SPENT $1,200 FOR CYLINDER HEAD REMOVAL AND REINSTALL; VALVE JOB, NEW VALVE GUIDES AND ASSEMBLY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2020EngineODI 11323903
“2008 CORVETTE WITH 119000 HAS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS AFTER FILLING UP OVER A HALF OF TANK, BUT IS SHOWING NO LEAKS. THE GAS CAP IS FIRMLY IN PLACE AND WORKS CORRECTLY. I READ THAT I SHOULD FILL THIS OUT BECAUSE IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL CORVETTE AND COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I THOUGHT I HAD BOUGHT CHEAP GAS BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. I DID SEE A RECALL LETTER FROM CHEVY BUT THE CAR IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD BUT IS UNDER 120,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD IT SINCE JUNE OF 2018. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN A GARAGE AND THE ODOR IS VERY STRONG. WHEN THE VEHICLE'S GAS SUPPLY DROPS BELOW A HALF A TANK, THE ODOR GOES AWAY. I FIRST NOTICED THIS IN THE FALL OF 2019, BUT HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR VERY MUCH UNTIL THIS PAST WEEK. I HAVE HAD A POT HOLE ISSUE IN DEC WHERE A CLAIM WAS FILED BUT THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT. I WAS WONDERING IF MY VEHICLE WOULD STILL BE COVERED AT NO CHARGE TO ME BY THE DEALER OR ANOTHER CHEVY DEALERSHIP CLOSER TO MY HOME? I READ WHERE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. I DID GUESS AT THE SEPT DATE I FIRST NOTICED IT BUT IT WAS ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 25 THAT I FILLED UP AND SMELLED IT AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 4, 2020EngineODI 11320223

Showing 6 of 46 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.