2005 Chevrolet Corvette recalls and problems

The 2005 Chevrolet Corvette has 6 safety recalls and 533 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer.

Recalls
6
Complaints
533
Crashes / fires
11 / 6
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Chevrolet Corvette recalls

Recall 14V-251: Exterior Lighting, Electrical System

Reported May 14, 2014 · 103,158 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: The loss of low beam headlamp illumination will decrease the driver's visibility, as well as the vehicle's conspicuity to other motorists, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 10V-172: Steering

Reported Apr 26, 2010 · 40,028 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the driver does not respond to the change in vehicle movement, a crash could occur.

Fix: 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.

Recall 09V-491: Structure

Reported Dec 23, 2009 · 22,090 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If there is a complete separation, the roof panel may detach from the vehicle. If this were to occur while the vehicle was being driven, it could strike a following vehicle and cause injury and/or property damage.

Fix: 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.

Recall 06V-181: Structure

Reported May 24, 2006 · 30,793 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: On certain 2005-2006 chevrolet corvettes equipped with painted roofs, the adhesive between the roof panel and the frame may separate.

Risk: If there is a complete separation, the roof panel may detach from the vehicle and it could strike another vehicle and cause injury and property damage.

Fix: 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.

Recall 05V-455: Steering

Reported Oct 5, 2005 · 123,592 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power brake assist and increased braking effort would be required. If the power steering fluid spray were to spray onto hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.

Fix: 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.

Recall 04V-525: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Nov 3, 2004 · 5,225 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Certain passenger vehicles were produced with one or both rear brake hydraulic lines that can come in contact with or be affected by heat from the left engine exhaust manifold and the left exhaust pipe. The brake fluid could reach elevated temperatures and boil.

Risk: If the brake fluid boils in a rear brake line, the effectiveness of the rear brake system would be reduced which could result in a brake line leak and loss of brake fluid. If enough fluid leaks from the rear brake system so that brake pedal application can no longer build pressure to the rear brakes. The operator of the vehicle will experience limited braking which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will (1) inspect the left engine exhaust manifold clip for proper alignment and placement on the body-mounted stud. If incorrect, they will reposition the clip on the brake lines and reinstall the clip on the stud; (2) the dealer will verify that both rear brake lines have the proper clearance to the left exhaust pipe. They will reposition the lines by bending as necessary; (3) dealers will remove the machining tab from the rear differential housing. Also, dealers are to inspect the brake lines for wear in these related areas and repair or replace if there is any sign of wear-through on the nylon overcoating. The recall began on january 18, 2005. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2239 or chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

2005 Chevrolet Corvette problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System101
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)90
Exterior Lighting87
Steering77
Power Train74
Structure55
Air Bags44
Service Brakes38
Service Brakes, Hydraulic22
Fuel/Propulsion System20
Traction Control System17
Engine and Engine Cooling16

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars — 32
  • Structure › Body — 17
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys — 6
  • Steering › Column — 6
  • Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery — 5
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 4
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings — 2
  • Structure › Body › Door — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 40,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Chevrolet Corvette complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Structure · reported Oct 22, 2026
While driving at approximately 50 mph, the outer painted panel of the removable targa roof began separating from its supporting frame. The roof frame remained latched to the vehicle, but the driver-side front/top-left corner of the painted panel lifted far enough that I could see daylight between the panel and frame. I immediately pulled off the highway, removed the roof, stored it in the trunk, and drove home. The panel did not completely detach and there was no crash, injury, or property damage. Continued separation could allow the panel to detach while driving and strike occupants or…
Exterior Lighting · at 123,000 miles · reported Aug 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the low-beam headlights malfunctioned and failed to illuminate as needed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V251000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure…
Forward Collision Avoidance · reported Oct 9, 2025
As I'm driving, the brakes are deployed "hard" without any action on my part. "CHECK ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM" shows up on the screen. I have not het had the vehicle inspected.
Unknown or Other · reported Oct 9, 2025
Sometimes (intermittently), when I push the start button to start the car, it just makes a "click" sound, the car does not start and the steering wheel will lock and all other functions of the car will be disabled. "CHECK COLUM LOCK" will be displayed on the screen. I have to take a battery cable off to reset the software before I can once again start and drive the car.
Air Bags · reported Dec 7, 2024
This lead to an injury accident which totaled the car. I have documentation stating that the recall was fixed, but after I moved to Germany with the Army, the recall regularly activated the active handling when not needed (e.g parking) but then when we started slipping, the active handling did not engage and we crashed, totaling the car. The airbags did not engage even though the car played pinball on both sides of the autobahn. If we were going any faster, we would have died.

Other Chevrolet Corvette years

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Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette: 14V-251 (exterior lighting, electrical system), 10V-172 (steering), 09V-491 (structure), 06V-181 (structure), 05V-455 (steering) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (101 reports), followed by electronic stability control (esc) (90). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 40,000 miles.

Are Chevrolet recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Chevrolet dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.