There’s no denying that the eighth-generation Corvette was a revolutionary step forward for the brand, with its mid-engine design and variants reaching power and performance levels we never imagined were possible. Did we enthusiasts ever think there would be a Corvette with 4-digit horsepower that would destroy track records around the country? I sure didn’t. Yet, despite this resume, many Corvette traditionalists lament the loss of the front-engine layout and manual transmission, making the seventh-generation Corvette more popular than ever. With that said, like every generation before it, the C7 Corvette isn’t without its faults. [Author’s Note: This article is FREE and not behind a paywall. If/when any popups occur, please click to make them disappear and continue enjoying the article. One requires two steps–first, the arrow on the left, then the x on the top right.]
Before we move on to the top owner complaints, it’s worth diving into the dynamic that has made the C7 the most popular “left-over” generation to date. Our founder and contributor, Scott Kolecki, recently featured this dynamic, and it would be a disservice not to highlight his article in this C7 piece.
The Staying Power of the Seventh-Generation Corvette Stingray
Who Knew the C7 Would Depreciate Slower Than It’s Mid-Engine Successor?
“When it comes to the Corvette, history has often proved two things: 1.) When a new-generation is announced and later, made available to consumers, an influx of used Corvettes from the earlier generations become available in the used car market. 2.) Those used Corvettes regularly depreciate rapidly in value, affording second-hand consumers the opportunity to purchase an older Corvette well below its former market value. This combination 1-2 punch of market saturation driving rapid depreciation has caused many naysayers to argue that Corvettes simply do not hold their value, and/or, they were never worth the premium, new car prices charged by Chevrolet in the first place.
In recent years however, it appears as though the script has flipped a bit when it comes to the staying power and fair market value of seventh-generation (2014-2019) Corvette Stingrays, along with its Grand Sport, Z06, and ZR1 counterparts. Although market demand for the mid-engine C8 Corvette is undeniable, the staying power, price, and consumer preference of the C7 Corvette is beginning to demonstrate that new isn’t always better. In fact, there is more than a small divide amongst Corvette enthusiasts as to which Corvette – the C7 or the C8 – is the superior sports car. In terms of depreciation, the financial analysis report (below) demonstrates with certainty that the C8’s value is falling far more quickly than the older, seventh-generation model…” Continue Reading or Save For Later
Now, without further ado, here are the most common complaints collected by the website carcomplaints.com and initially reported by our friends at the Corvette Forum, the largest and oldest forum in our space. If you’re looking for a community with active daily participation from enthusiasts just like you, look no further.
Top Seven C7 Corvette Owner Complaints
(Ranked from least to most common)
#7
Leather Dash Separating/Delaminating
♦ Summary of Issue:
- The leather dash separates from the center vent and HUD area due to inadequate stitching/staples/adhesives. This issue appears to be isolated to the 3LT trim.
♦ Some Resouces From the Corvette Forum Community:
#6
LT1 Engine Issues
♦ Summary of Issue:
- C7 owners reported engine ticking, vibrating, lifter failures due to the AFM (active fuel management), and total engine failure, with the lifter issues being the most reported.
♦ Some Resouces From the Corvette Forum Community:
- Engine tick after oil change?
- C7 engine problems, would you by a C7 today?
- V4 Mode (sounds like Im dumping Nuts and Bolt in Engine
- BEWARE Range AFM disabler or turning off with HPT
#5
Electrical Issues
♦ Summary of Issue:
- While one prominent electrical system weakness was not reported to carcomplaints.com, these more minor issues were noted among owners: convertible top switch, center screen going dark, and radio issues after a car wash, to name a few.
♦ Some Resouces From the Corvette Forum Community:
#4
Paint Problems
♦ Summary of Issue:
- The more commonly reported complaints were clearcoat failures and bubbling paint.
♦ Some Resouces From the Corvette Forum Community:
#3
Fuel System Issues
♦ Summary of Issue:
- Numerous complaints were reported about fuel smells and fuel leaks. GM did issue a campaign to inspect/replace the fuel filler pipe in the C7 after the fuel smell issue became prolific on the sixth generation. Despite this, fuel system issues were still in the top 3 for the C7.
♦ Some Resouces From the Corvette Forum Community:
- 2014 – GM Letter Re: Potential fuel tank cracks
- Left fuel tank leak
- Strong Gas Smell at engine start
- Strong Fuel Vapors in Cabin
#2
Transmission Problems
♦ Summary of Issue:
- Transmission issues were reported more frequently than the previous five complaints combined. The top issues were rough/harsh shifts, popping out of second gear, and slipping transmissions. Out of the six years the C7 was produced, the 2015 model year had the most transmission complaints.
- Top CorvSport resource: Did I Shudder? 8-Speed Auto C7 Owners May See Some Relief
♦ Some Resouces From the Corvette Forum Community:
- A8 Transmission failure tracking (1900+ posts since mid-2017)
- A8’s and Torque Converter failure
- Slight Transmission Shutter at 68k Miles, 2017 Stingray
- The dreaded “shudder”, or something else?
#1
Cracked/Bent Widebody Wheels
♦ Summary of Issue:
- Complaints about cracked or bent wheels were reported about ten times more often than the previous six complaints. Most enthusiasts who have followed this prolific issue cite manufacturing issues for the problem, and it appears to affect only the Widebody C7s (Grand Sport, Z06, 427 Vert).
♦ Some Resouces From the Corvette Forum Community:
Would any of these top complaints turn you away from the C7 Corvette? Are you CORVETTE OBSESSED like we are? The team of renowned authors and contributors at CorvSport hopes you sense our passion for the iconic Corvette, and our vast database of articles and guides should prove it–5000+ features since Scott Kolecki founded CorvSport over 15 years ago! Join the fastest-growing Corvette community on our Facebook page, with over 172,000 followers (53,000 since January 2023!). Meet other hardcore enthusiasts and say hello. This is Douglas B. signing off–click here if you would like to see more of my features.
Additional Source:
