Chevrolet Corvette Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Chevrolet Corvette years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2017, and 2019, with 2008 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 540 complaints. Best years are 2012, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022, with 2021 posting the lowest complaint index of 0.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2006Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2017Avoid 2019Best 2012Best 2018Best 2020Best 2021Best 2022
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,044
- Recall campaigns
- 27
- Crashes reported
- 60
- Fires reported
- 23
- Top problem area
- Fuel System
Corvette Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Chevrolet Corvette problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 95 | 532 | 11 | 6 | 6 | Electrical System | 19 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 90 | 365 | 12 | 2 | 5 | Electrical System | 19 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 85 | 341 | 5 | 4 | 2 | Fuel System | 19 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 100 | 540 | 9 | 2 | 0 | Fuel System | 18 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 70 | 151 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Fuel System | 18 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 55 | 84 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Fuel System | 18 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 40 | 85 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Fuel System | 18 | — |
| 2012 | Best | 15 | 56 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Fuel System | 18 | — |
| 2013 | Good | 25 | 82 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Fuel System | 18 | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 50 | 61 | 5 | 1 | 5 | Fuel System | 20.5 | — |
| 2015 | Good | 35 | 65 | 3 | 0 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 60 | 104 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 19 | — |
| 2017 | Avoid | 80 | 256 | 3 | 0 | 4 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 18.5 | — |
| 2018 | Best | 10 | 51 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 18 | — |
| 2019 | Avoid | 75 | 148 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 16.5 | — |
| 2020 | Best | 20 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Structure & Body | 19 | — |
| 2021 | Best | 0 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | — |
| 2022 | Best | 5 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 19 | — |
| 2023 | Caution | 65 | 25 | 1 | 3 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | — |
| 2024 | Good | 45 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Fuel System | 19 | — |
| 2025 | Good | 30 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 3 | Structure & Body | 19 | — |
Corvette years to avoid: what went wrong
2008 Chevrolet Corvette Index 100 · 540 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2008 Corvette ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100 across 540 complaints, despite having zero recall campaigns on file. Fuel System complaints dominate at 69% of all complaints with a median failure mileage of 52,672. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes, rear suspension failures causing loss of control at highway speed, and electrical fires from headlight wiring.
2008 fuel system problems →2008 electrical system problems →2008 transmission & powertrain problems →
2005 Chevrolet Corvette Index 95 · 532 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2005 Corvette carries a complaint index of 95 out of 532 total complaints, ranking second worst of all years. Electrical System issues lead at 30% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 65,000, followed by Brakes at 27% and Steering at 14%. Six recall campaigns cover this year, including an underhood electrical center wiring recall, a tilt-steering column recall, and a removable roof adhesive recall. Owners reported roof panels detaching while driving and rear wheel lockups causing loss of control.
2005 electrical system problems →2005 brakes problems →2005 steering problems →
2006 Chevrolet Corvette Index 90 · 365 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2006 Corvette shows a complaint index of 90 across 365 complaints, ranking third worst. Electrical System problems make up 25% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 76,110, while Brakes account for 19% and Structure & Body 17%. Five recall campaigns apply, covering electrical wiring, steering columns, and roof panel adhesive. Owners described engine oil line fires, roof panels detaching in traffic, and brake-related loss of control at low speeds.
2006 electrical system problems →2006 brakes problems →2006 structure & body problems →
2007 Chevrolet Corvette Index 85 · 341 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2007 Corvette has a complaint index of 85 from 341 complaints, ranking fourth worst. Fuel System issues dominate at 34% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 52,000, followed by Electrical System at 17% and Transmission & Powertrain at 15%. Two recall campaigns cover electrical wiring and roof panel adhesive. Owners reported engine valve failures causing smoke and fire, clutch engagement failures, and electrical shorts leading to fires.
2007 fuel system problems →2007 electrical system problems →2007 transmission & powertrain problems →
2017 Chevrolet Corvette Index 80 · 256 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2017 Corvette carries a complaint index of 80 from 256 complaints, ranking fifth worst. Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues dominate at 88% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 15,000. Four recall campaigns apply, including two separate electric power steering assist recalls and a seat belt sensing module software recall. Owners reported brake pedals failing to stop the vehicle in traffic and steering assist loss at low mileage.
2017 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2017 steering problems →
2019 Chevrolet Corvette Index 75 · 148 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2019 Corvette has a complaint index of 75 from 148 complaints, ranking sixth worst. Suspension, Wheels & Tires problems make up 84% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 8,011. One recall campaign addresses an airbag sensing diagnostic module fault on ZR1 models. Owners reported wheels cracking without impact damage and repeated loss of power steering assist within the first few hundred miles of ownership.
Most common Chevy Corvette problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Fuel System874 (29%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires533 (18%)
- Electrical System474 (16%)
- Brakes333 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain291 (10%)
- Engine219 (7%)
- Steering200 (7%)
- Structure & Body182 (6%)
- Airbags178 (6%)
- Other126 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Chevrolet Corvette years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2017, and 2019 as Avoid years for the Corvette, with 2008 having the highest complaint index at 100 out of 540 complaints.
- What are the best Chevrolet Corvette years to buy?
- The best-rated years are 2012, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022. The 2021 model year has the lowest complaint index of the entire lineup at 0, from just 12 complaints.
- What is the most common Corvette problem?
- Across all 21 model years covered, Fuel System issues are the top complaint category with 874 complaints, 29% of the 3,044 total complaints logged with NHTSA.
- Does the 2017 Corvette have a steering recall?
- Yes. The 2017 Corvette is covered by two separate electric power steering assist recalls (campaigns 19V086000 and 25V175000) along with a seat belt sensing module software recall.
- Is the 2008 Corvette reliable compared to other years?
- The 2008 Corvette ranks worst of all 21 model years with a complaint index of 100 and 540 complaints, driven mainly by Fuel System issues at 69% of its complaints, even though it has no recall campaigns on file.