2009 Chevrolet Corvette Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette has a Complaint Index of 70 and ranks 7th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Fuel System complaints dominate at 54% of the 151 total complaints, with no recalls filed for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 Corvette years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 151
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 24.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2009 Chevy Corvette problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System82 (54%)
- Engine26 (17%)
- Electrical System16 (11%)
- Airbags15 (10%)
- Brakes7 (5%)
- Other7 (5%)
- Structure & Body6 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (4%)
- Steering5 (3%)
- Seat Belts1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe a strong gasoline smell after fueling that can fill the garage when the tank is over half full.
- Some report the fuel filler only accepts about a half tank before an automatic shutoff triggers, forcing the nozzle to be inverted and causing spillage.
- Several owners say electrical failures disabled the power door releases, trapping them inside since the doors have no manual handles, requiring removal of the roof panel to exit.
- Drivers mention the headliner drooping low enough to block rearview mirror visibility, with dealers saying it was built that way.
- Some report 'service traction control' and 'service active handling' warnings appearing after startup, with one owner noting the car ran sluggish.
- A driver noted a rear upper control arm detaching from the chassis at highway speed, causing loss of lane control.
2009 Chevrolet Corvette recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2009 Chevrolet Corvette fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Corvette years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2009 Corvette a Complaint Index of 70, ranking it 7th worst among 21 model years, so it carries a Caution verdict relative to other Corvette years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Corvette?
- Fuel System complaints make up 54% of all reported issues (82 of 151 complaints), including fuel smell and filler shutoff problems, with a median failure mileage of 47,405.
- Does the 2009 Corvette have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2009 Corvette.
- What year Corvette should I avoid instead of 2009?
- Among Corvette years, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2017, and 2019 carry Avoid verdicts with higher Complaint Indexes than the 2009 model's 70.
- How does the 2009 Corvette compare to the 2008 model?
- The 2008 Corvette has a Complaint Index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, while the 2009 model's index is lower at 70 with a Caution verdict.