Chevrolet CORVETTE Z06 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
146 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
28,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 to 2008 model years. Data snapshot: . 139 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 69 of 146 complaints (47.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 26 | 17.8% |
| Steering behavior | 26 | 17.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 15 | 10.3% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 69 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 22 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 16 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Wheels | 5 |
Engine: 69; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 22; Fuel/Propulsion System: 16; Steering: 10; Exterior Lighting: 8; Electrical System: 7; Power Train: 7; Wheels: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 65 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 45 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 65; 25,000 to 49,999: 45; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (65). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 39 |
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2008: 6; 2009: 12; 2010: 4; 2011: 4; 2012: 13; 2013: 10; 2014: 7; 2015: 39; 2016: 19; 2017: 16; 2018: 11; 2019: 4; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 26 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 26 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10676975 · 2015-01-21 (January 21, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE HARD TOP COVER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACTIVE HANDLING CONTROL FOR THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 4/13/15*CN UPDATED 9/18/2017*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10676975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11019905 · 2017-08-26 (August 26, 2017)
THE ACTIVE HANDLING APPEARS WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND IT SEEMS THE WHEEL BRAKE IS APPLIED CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11019905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11161349 · 2018-12-14 (December 14, 2018)
MY QUESTION IS; I OWN A 2005 CORVETTE C6 AND HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY STEERING COLUMN WHICH IS THE TILT AND TELESCOPING. SUCH AS NOT BEING ABLE TO START IT. I AM LUCKY THAT MY BRAKES HAVEN'T LOCKED UP ON ME YET. DURING MY RESEARCH I FOUND THAT YOU HAD BEGAN A SAFETY RECALL ON APRIL 30, 2010, NHTSA 10V172000, REGARDING THE TILT AND TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL ON MY YEAR AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. I CONTACTED MY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY ABOUT THIS AND SCHEDULING TO HAVE THEM PUT IN THE BYPASS TO COLUMN LOCK. I MENTIONED THE SAFETY RECALL…
Owner-reported narrative. 63,104 miles reported. Look up ODI 11161349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10270147 · 2009-05-27 (May 27, 2009)
2006 CORVETTE Z06 HAS INTERMITTENT FAILURES OF THE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM CAUSING ONE FRONT BRAKE TO LOCK UP. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO VEER OUT OF CONTROL INSTANTLY. DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING POSITION SENSOR. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO, NO STORED CODES. DASH WARNING SAYS SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM. DEALER PERFORMED REPAIR OF THE WIRING HARNESS AT THE STEERING COLUMN AS PER A TSB. PROBLEM REMAINS. WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILS IT FAILS SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY. IT IS NOT A FAIL "SAFE" SYSTEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10270147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10457757 · 2012-05-08 (May 8, 2012)
FAINT FUEL ODOR AFTER SHUTTING CAR OFF AND HOUSING IT IN THE GARAGE. FUEL VAPOR OR VERY SMALL LINK FROM GAS TANK IS SUSPECTED. OTHER OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF SIMILAR PROBLEM ON THE CORVETTE FORUM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10457757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10679020 · 2015-01-26 (January 26, 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 GASOLIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10679020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10781264 · 2015-10-10 (October 10, 2015)
RARELY, DURING LOW SPEEDS (UNDER 15 MPH), WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WILL LOCK UP, INDUCING A HARSH LEFT TURN, UNSTABLE MANEUVERING, AND CAUSING THE MOTOR TO ATTEMPT TO STALL. STEERING IS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AND VIOLENT AND OPERATOR HAS TO FIGHT AGAINST THE CAR WANTING TO TURN LEFT BY APPLYING EXTREME RIGHT TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE LEFT REAR WHEEL UNLOCKS. SYMPTOMS HAVE NOT OCCURRED DURING NORMAL TRAFFIC SPEEDS (ABOVE 15 MPH). AUTO HANDLING/TRACTION …
Owner-reported narrative. 97,498 miles reported. Look up ODI 10781264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10670512 · 2015-01-06 (January 6, 2015)
EXHAUST VALVE BROKE DUE TO VALVE GUIDES BEING OUT OF SPEC. ENGINE SEIZED. IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DUE TO SEIZED ENGINE.
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10670512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10242756 · 2008-09-18 (September 18, 2008)
MY VEHICLE IS A 2007 CORVETTE ZO6 WITH APPROX 5000 MILES. I NOTICED LOUD NOISES FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT OR SOMEONE HAD TAMPERED WITH MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE SIGN OF THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE NOISE STOPPED AFTER A SHORT TIME. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID WAS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. I HAD THAT DONE BUT FOUND THAT A FRIEND OF MINE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM (2006 ZO6) IN WHICH THE FLUID HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE IN LESS THAN 10000 MILES. I BELIEVE THIS COU…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10242756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257353 · 2009-02-03 (February 3, 2009)
ON 09/03/08 I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A CHEVY DEALER FOR NOISY LIFTERS , THEY REPLACED THE ROCKER ARMS AT THE #8 CYLINDER WHICH MADE THE LIFTER NOISE NOT AS LOUD. ON 11/07/08 AS I GOT ONTO THE THRUWAY , I ACCELERATED IN SECOND GEAR TO GET INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC ,I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR . AS I RELEASED THE CLUTCH WITH NO THROTTLE APPLIED , THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VERY BADLY . I THEN PUSHED THE CLUTCH PEDAL IN LOOKED AT MY GAUGES WHICH WERE ALL DEAD. THEN I LOOKED INTO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND THERE WAS A LARGE CLOUD OF WH…
Owner-reported narrative. 19,596 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10632795 · 2014-09-12 (September 12, 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10632795 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 0 |
2005: 0; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 0