2006 Chevrolet Corvette: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 365 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (17% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 365 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V491000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the contact was informed that the recall part was no longer available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the part had been discontinued. The contact was advised to purchase the part from a junkyard or to order an entire roof from the dealer at his expense. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2025
“We were driving 55 and the car stalled. This has happened several times. Been at dealer and the codes show fine they replaced what they thought was issue and it still does this. Very scary”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2025
“Vehicle is leaving a strong gas order inside and around the vehicle. This issue is currently awaiting to be inspected but for the meantime, it's parked inside a garage where it completely fills the area with said odor. This is particularly unsafe due to our water heater also being located in this section of the house. Gas smell first appeared about a month ago and had consistently releasing these vapors. I've seen that GM has released a service bulletin for a short period of time but hasn't officially recalled the fuel issue (faulty fuel system).”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2025
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“I purchased this car from a dealer in Sarasota Florida. Driving it home from the dealer, I was driving approximately 70 mph on [XXX] near Sarasota. The vehicle suddenly braked and pulled to the left simultaneously. I have taken it to a repair shop that specializes in Corvettes, and trying to ID the problem. In doing research, evidently it is related to the active handling system. There is a recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V172000 Manufacturer GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Components STEERING Potential Number of Units Affected 40,028 and a service bulletin 10118. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2025
“The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact received recall notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V491000 (Structure) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was no longer equipped with the recalled part. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2025
“The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V491000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2024
“The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V491000(Structure); however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. No further information was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2024
“Happened twice within a day. The main electric fan on the radiator stopped working and the car overheated. Once at idle, was able to shut the car off safely. The second time, there was traffic on the highway, and the fan stopped working and the car started to overheat. Had to shut the car off and wait for it to cool down on the side of the road. When I got the car home, I found the electrical connector of the fan to be melted and fused together. There was no indicator that the fan would stop running prior to the engine overheating.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2023
“This is a 2006 Corvette with roughly 82,000 miles. The driver's seat will intermittently collapse on the recline function, resulting in a seat that is reclined all the way back. When this occurs, I need to pull myself up by the steering wheel while the vehicle is going down the road.”Owner report · Seats · Jul 2023
“Air bag warning light comes on intermittently...goes away when I move the seat back and forth indicating there is faulty wiring with this vehicle. Apparently according to a corvette forum, this is a common problem, which tells me there is a chance that the problem possibly came from the factory.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2023
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles manufactured March 29, 2004, through June 22, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC) housing can expand and cause the headlamp low beam relay control circuit wire to bend. If the wire is repeatedly bent, it may fracture causing a loss of low beam headlamp illumination.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a jumper wire to correct this condition, free of charge. The recall began January 2, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 13146. Note: Model year 2008-2013 Chevrolet Corvettes will be covered under customer satisfaction program number 14203 for the same issue.
ON CERTAIN 2005-2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTES EQUIPPED WITH PAINTED ROOFS, THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE ROOF PANEL AND THE FRAME MAY SEPARATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE FOR POTENTIAL ROOF PANEL-TO- FRAME SEPARATION AND ADD THE SPECIFIED ADHESIVE FOAM OR REPLACE THE ROOF WITH ONE HAVING ADHESIVE FOAM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
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.
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 2004 AND JANUARY 2006 EQUIPPED WITH A TILT AND TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN (RPO N37). IN RARE CASES, REPEATED MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN MAY CAUSE A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION WITHIN THE COLUMN. IF THIS OCCURS, THE MESSAGE, "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM" WILL APPEAR IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER, AND ONE OR MORE OF THE BRAKES MAY APPLY, POSSIBLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT.
Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Corvette 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 reliable?
NHTSA has 365 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. The most complained-about area is structure (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Corvette problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 38,500 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections. 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.