2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 48 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (35% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The front lights of the car one of them isn't working. I believe this isn't the first complain about this kind of car. It is dangerous to be driving on the road. I have to continue to put my high beams on for them to work. At times both the lights are on and with time driving it will turn one of them off. It's dangerous because the visibility on the road for me and other drivers.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jan 2018
“I recently had my valves tested by a local shop since ive heard from other owners that the ls7 valves drop at any given time. I had two valves out of specs and have to get it fixed in order to save engine from future damage. My car currently has 52,241 miles.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2017
“Valve rattle, not driving vehicle to keep from dropping valve......costs $4k for repair to heads....31000 miles... If I drive it and drop valve, will cost $18k to replace engine assembly.....long term value of vehicle decreases with non-matching numbers vehicle. One helluva way to treat customers that spend $85k on a vehicle.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driving on the freeway at approx. 65 mph. , the steering wheel on my car " took control of itself and jerked to the left: on the dash pod it stated " service active handling system" . I pulled the car over as soon as I could do so safely and shut the car off. After restarting it the warning went away and the steering returned to normal.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2015
“I was concerned about a noise that I was hearing in my 2006 z06 that is unlike any other noise I have heard while currently owning my three other gm vehicles. I decided to bring it to a well know corvette speciality shop near me. The told me about the valve guide issue that has been linked to the ls7 heads. I immediately told him to take the heads off the car and check them. I had 4 exhaust valves that were way out of gm specs. I had the heads re-machined properly and installed new intake and exhaust valve guides, valve springs and seals.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2015
“Hello, I am reporting on my 2006 c6z06 corvette that recently had the valve-to-guide clearances checked on my engine and my measurements are beyond the serviceable specifications on 8 out of 16 valves, both intake and exhaust. I consider this a safety hazard due to the fact that if the vehicle is driven and engine seizes, loss of control may occur. I also have what appears to be a leak on the fuel module/sending unit, specifically on the top plastic elbow connector. I have strong gasoline odor in the cabin of the car and visible gasoline from the underside of the car near the fuel tank. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet corvette z06. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v251000 (electrical system, exterior lighting). The dealer could not repair the vehicle for two months because the parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2014
“Low beam headlights went out without notice and would not come on. Was driving at the time the went out. I made it home using high beams. Low beams came back on the next morning but after my testing the would go out after apx 15 minutes and would not come back on for hours. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2014
“The cylinder heads at 69k miles were checked due to excessive valve train noise and the valve guides and one intake valve were found to have clearance more than double the service tolerance. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2014
“While driving in a straight line at approximately 65 mph, the traction control system strongly applied the left front brake. The application of brake was sudden and very strong, nearly causing a loss of control. *tr”Owner report · Traction Control System · Oct 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2007 CORVETTE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A REMOVABLE ROOF AND MODEL YEAR 2006 AND 2007 CORVETTE Z06 VEHICLES. THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE ROOF PANEL AND THE FRAME MAY SEPARATE. IF THERE IS A PARTIAL SEPARATION, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE ONE OR MORE SYMPTOMS, SUCH AS A SNAPPING NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS, WIND NOISE, POOR ROOF PANEL FIT, ROOF PANEL MOVEMENT/BOUNCE WHEN A DOOR OR HATCH IS CLOSED, OR A WATER LEAK IN THE HEADLINER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN ROOF PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
How other years compare
Check your exact Corvette Z06 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 reliable?
NHTSA has 48 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. The most complained-about area is engine (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 22,269 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning structure:body:roof and pillars. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.