What are the most common problems with the 2005 Corvette?

By complaint count, the electrical system leads with 101 complaints, then stability control with 90 and exterior lighting with 86.

How many recalls does the 2005 Corvette have?

NHTSA lists 6 recalls, covering headlights, the steering column, two roof panel adhesive issues, a power steering hose and rear brake lines.

What is the gas mileage of the 2005 Corvette?

The EPA rates it 19 MPG combined for both the automatic and the manual.

Is 2005 a good year for the Corvette?

It has the second most complaints (537) and the most recalls (6) of any Corvette year in the data, so it ranks poorly on those counts.

2005 Chevrolet Corvette Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 537 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Corvette^[1]. It also has 6 recalls, more than any other Corvette model year in our data^[2].

537owner complaints^[1]

6recalls^[2]

19MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owner complaints are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name several parts. The 2005 Corvette has 537 on file^[1]. Twelve mention a crash, 6 a fire and 7 an injury^[1]. No deaths are reported^[1].

The biggest groups by complaint count are:

Component group	Complaints	Median mileage at failure
Electrical system^[4]	101	46,650
Electronic stability control^[5]	90	40,443
Exterior lighting^[6]	86	84,500
Steering^[7]	78	47,000
Power train^[8]	70	38,000
Brakes^[9]	58	48,123
Structure^[10]	55	15,140
Air bags^[11]	44	35,512

We read a small sample of complaint texts for four of these groups. Here is what owners describe in that sample.

Electrical. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 6 describe a battery that goes flat after the car sits for a few days, leaving the car unable to start^[4]. Some say the dealer could not find the cause.
Stability control. In a sample of 12, 7 describe a brake grabbing or locking on one wheel, sometimes at low speed in a parking lot^[5]. A "Service Active Handling" warning shows up in these stories.
Exterior lighting. In a sample of 12, 5 describe low beam headlights that go out once the engine bay warms up and come back when it cools^[6]. This is similar to the issue in recall 14V251 below^[12].
Steering. In a sample of 12, 6 describe the same "Service Active Handling" message with brakes applying or the steering feeling wrong^[7]. Two describe losing power steering after a belt or pulley came loose^[7].

The power train, brakes, structure and air bag groups are in the table, but we did not read complaint texts for them, so we do not describe their themes.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2005 Corvette^[2]. Newest first:

Headlights (14V251). Announced May 2014 and covers 103,158 vehicles^[12]. A housing in the engine bay can expand and bend a wire for the low beam relay. The wire can crack, and the low beams then go out. That makes it harder to see and be seen, which raises crash risk. GM said dealers would install a jumper wire for free, and the recall began January 2015^[12].
Steering column (10V172). Announced April 2010 and covers 40,028 vehicles with a tilt and telescoping column^[13]. A signal inside the column can drop out. A "Service Active Handling System" message appears and one or more brakes may apply, so the car can pull to one side. If the driver does not respond, a crash could occur. Dealers repair it for free, and the recall began April 30, 2010^[13].
Removable roof panel (09V491). Announced December 2009 and covers 22,090 vehicles^[14]. The glue holding the roof panel to the frame can separate. Early signs are snapping noises, wind noise, poor fit or a leak. A full separation could let the panel come off and hit a following vehicle. The remedy is a new design roof panel installed free by dealers. The fact says the recall was expected to begin in April 2010^[14].
Painted roof panel (06V181). Announced May 2006 and covers 30,793 vehicles with painted roofs^[15]. The same kind of glue separation can let the panel detach and strike another vehicle. Dealers inspect the car and add adhesive foam or replace the roof, free of charge. The recall began October 19, 2006^[15].
Power steering hose (05V455). Announced October 2005 and covers 123,592 vehicles^[16]. A hose not built to specification can crack during hard steering, such as full lock while braking, and leak fluid. Power steering help would be lost, and on cars with hydro-boost brakes brake help could be lost too. Fluid on hot engine parts could start a fire. Dealers check the hose for two date codes and replace it if needed. The recall began October 14, 2005^[16].
Rear brake lines (04V525). Announced November 2004 and covers 5,225 vehicles^[17]. Rear brake lines can be heated by the left exhaust manifold and pipe, which can boil the brake fluid. That can reduce rear braking, cause a leak and lead to a crash. Dealers check and reposition the clip and lines, remove a tab from the rear differential housing and replace any worn line. The recall began January 18, 2005^[17].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists two versions of the 6.0L 8-cylinder with premium fuel and rear-wheel drive^[3]^[18]. The 4-speed automatic is rated 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG^[3]. The 6-speed manual is rated 16 city, 26 highway and 19 combined MPG^[18]. EPA puts the annual fuel cost at $4,350 for both, using its current fuel price assumptions^[3]^[18].

Engine and size

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada and can differ slightly from US models^[19]^[20].

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
Coupe^[20]	175 in	72 in	49 in	105 in	3,179 lb
Convertible^[19]	175 in	72 in	49 in	105 in	3,199 lb

How 2005 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Corvette model year. The 2005 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	32	0
1996	44	0
1997	153	5
1998	399	2
1999	308	2
2000	278	2
2001	205	1
2002	157	1
2003	85	1
2004	217	2
2005	537	6
2006	413	5
2007	386	2
2008	589	0
2009	152	0
2010	84	0
2011	85	1
2012	56	1
2013	82	0
2014	63	5
2015	65	5
2016	104	2
2017	257	4
2018	51	1
2019	148	1
2020	34	4
2021	13	2
2022	21	1
2023	26	1
2024	21	2
2025	11	3
2026	3	3
2027	1	0

NHTSA's counts for each Corvette model year show 2005 near the top. Its 537 complaints are the second highest of any year, behind 2008 with 589^[2]. Its 6 recalls are the most of any year^[2]. The next highest are 5 recalls each for 2006, 2014 and 2015, plus 1997^[2].

Nearby years look different. The 2006 model has 413 complaints and 5 recalls^[2]. The 2004 model has 217 complaints and 2 recalls^[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so they show where reports pile up and not how likely a problem is.

Should you buy a used 2005 Corvette?

The record shows a car with a high complaint count and several safety recalls. Four of the recall remedies are described as free^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15], so ask for proof that every recall repair was done^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15]^[16]^[17]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe flat batteries, stability control warnings with brake grab and low beam headlights that cut out^[4]^[5]^[6]. Test those on a drive and check the roof panel fit. Complaints are unverified and our data does not cover engine details or repair costs, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth having.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Corvette?: By complaint count, the electrical system leads with 101 complaints, then stability control with 90 and exterior lighting with 86^[4]^[5]^[6].
How many recalls does the 2005 Corvette have?: NHTSA lists 6 recalls, covering headlights, the steering column, two roof panel adhesive issues, a power steering hose and rear brake lines^[2]^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15]^[16]^[17].
What is the gas mileage of the 2005 Corvette?: The EPA rates it 19 MPG combined for both the automatic and the manual^[3]^[18].
Is 2005 a good year for the Corvette?: It has the second most complaints (537) and the most recalls (6) of any Corvette year in the data, so it ranks poorly on those counts^[2].

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 537 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette (12 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Corvette model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Corvette, 6.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
101 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,650). NHTSA vehicle records
90 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,443). NHTSA vehicle records
86 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,500). NHTSA vehicle records
78 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,000). NHTSA vehicle records
70 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,000). NHTSA vehicle records
58 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,123). NHTSA vehicle records
55 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,140). NHTSA vehicle records
44 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,512). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 14V251, filed May 14, 2014: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V172, filed April 26, 2010: Steering › Column. NHTSA recall database
Recall 09V491, filed December 23, 2009: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
Recall 06V181, filed May 24, 2006: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
Recall 05V455, filed October 5, 2005: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections. NHTSA recall database
Recall 04V525, filed November 3, 2004: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Corvette, 6.0L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 26 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CORVETTE 2DR CONVERTIBLE RWD: length 175 in, width 72 in, height 49 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,199 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CORVETTE COUPE 2DR RWD: length 175 in, width 72 in, height 49 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,179 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2005 Chevrolet Corvette: problems, recalls and fuel economy