The following list of common issues is intended for individual reference only, and may not reflect the specific issues of every 1971 Corvette. While the intent of this page is to identify the common issues pertaining to the 1971 Corvette, it is not an all-inclusive list and should be used for reference only.
Read more: 1971 Corvette Research Center
1971 Corvette Recalls, Technical Service Bulletins, & Maintenance Schedule
The information contained on this page is for reference only. The time and mileage intervals for each of the maintenance items included on this page were established by General Motors with the introduction of the 1971 Chevy Corvette. Please note that the original service intervals may not reflect the standard service intervals used in current automobile engines.
Read more: 1971 Corvette Recalls, Technical Service Bulletins, & Maintenance Schedule.
1971 Corvette Common Issues
The following list of common issues is intended for individual reference only, and may not reflect the specific issues of every 1971 Corvette. This information comes from a variety of sources including the NHTSA Defects Reports pages. While the intent of this page is to identify the common issues pertaining to the 1971 Corvette, it is not an all-inclusive list and should be used for reference only.
1971 C3 Corvette Mechanical Issues
PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY
The parking brake assembly on C3 Corvettes are known to have a number of issues including: stretching of the parking brake cable and seizure of the parking brake shoes and levers due to excessive rust. Fortunately, a number of replacement parking brake assemblies are available from aftermarket retailers. When rebuilding the parking brake assembly it is highly recommended that the entire assembly be replaced. A complete rebuild will include the replacement of the parking brake cable, shoes, levers and pulleys. A complete rebuild should take approximately 3-5 hours.
1971 C3 Corvette External Issues
HEADLAMP ACTUATOR VACUUM LEAKS
All Corvettes from 1968-1981 can have a large vacuum leak from the headlight actuator vacuum system that will affect the engine idle. When experiencing rough idle, remove the vacuum hose and plug the fitting temporarily, then check engine performance. See Transmission Modulator Vacuum Leaks above for additional information.
The rubber hoses and other components of the headlight vacuum system are known to wear out. In many instances, only one of the headlight assemblies will operate. Always check all rubber vacuum lines when even a single headlight assembly is not operating properly as many times, it the result of a failed or collapsed line.
DOOR HINGES
Over time, the door hinges on all C3 Corvettes fatigue and begin to fail, causing the doors to sag and other alignment issues including broken door seals, water leaks, and road noise. To prolong the hinge life, lubricate the hinges regularly. In the event that the hinges do sag, replacing the hinge bushings and pin is also an option, although replacing the upper hinge pin will require the removal of the dashboard speedometer cluster.
1971 C3 Corvette Interior Issues
SHIFTER CONSOLE
The shifter console is the focal point of any Corvette interior. Due to natural wear, the console becomes worn and can become an eyesore. Fortunately, restoring the shifter console is a fairly straight forward task. The entire shifter console plate can be removed as a single unit and does not require the use of any tools. Replacement components are available from aftermarket distributors.
