IllustrationHARMONIC BALANCE BAD ON CAR WITH ONLY 50K
2007 Chevrolet Corvette
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Corvette years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette are substantially higher than the model-year median of 29.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Corvette years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
690–25K
8425–50K
6350–75K
3375–100K
16100–150K
4150K+
269 reports with mileage · 72 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports
Engine complaints
26 reportsENGINE DESTROYED ITSELF. WITH 56K MILES ON THE ENGINE A VALVE BROKE WHILE RUNNING, FALLING INTO THE CYLINDER WHERE IT WAS HIT BY THE PISTON CAUSING THE PISTON TO GO INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK WALL. THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH VALVES / VALVE GUIDES IN THESE ENGINES. CHEVY PRODUCED A SERVICE BULLETIN (#13-06-01-001) YET DID NOTHING AB…
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ENGINE DESTROYED ITSELF. WITH 56K MILES ON THE ENGINE A VALVE BROKE WHILE RUNNING, FALLING INTO THE CYLINDER WHERE IT WAS HIT BY THE PISTON CAUSING THE PISTON TO GO INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK WALL. THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH VALVES / VALVE GUIDES IN THESE ENGINES. CHEVY PRODUCED A SERVICE BULLETIN (#13-06-01-001) YET DID NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM AT THE TIME. THEY'VE ALSO REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY MY SITUATION.
ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND GOES INTO DEFERRED ENGINE POWER. HAVE REPLACED THROTTLE BODY TWICE. CAR RUN GREAT AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO ON AND WHEN I START THE CAR IT STARTS TO VIOLENTLY VIBRATE. I TURN OFF. SIT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THEN TRY TO START AGAIN. SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND SOMETIMES NOT. DEFERRED ENGINE POW…
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ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND GOES INTO DEFERRED ENGINE POWER. HAVE REPLACED THROTTLE BODY TWICE. CAR RUN GREAT AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO ON AND WHEN I START THE CAR IT STARTS TO VIOLENTLY VIBRATE. I TURN OFF. SIT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THEN TRY TO START AGAIN. SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND SOMETIMES NOT. DEFERRED ENGINE POWER IS DANGEROUS. SENSORS HAVE BEEN RESET. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM BEEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ARE PRICE GOUGING. PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. AS SOON AS THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. AS SOON AS THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. ..UPDATED 09/11/17 *BF *TR
NEEDLE BEARINGS WERE FOUND IN OIL PAN. THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEMS IN GM VEHICLES AS DEFECTIVE UNCAGED ROCKER ARM DESIGN WHICH CAUSES ROCKER ARMS TO EASILY BREAK OFF BEARINGS. GM EVEN ISSUES A BULLETIN, BUT OWNERS HAVE TO BEAR THE COST OF DEFECTIVE FACTORY-PARTS. BROKEN NEEDLE BEARINGS COULD END UP IN ENGINE AND DESTROY ENGINE.…
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NEEDLE BEARINGS WERE FOUND IN OIL PAN. THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEMS IN GM VEHICLES AS DEFECTIVE UNCAGED ROCKER ARM DESIGN WHICH CAUSES ROCKER ARMS TO EASILY BREAK OFF BEARINGS. GM EVEN ISSUES A BULLETIN, BUT OWNERS HAVE TO BEAR THE COST OF DEFECTIVE FACTORY-PARTS. BROKEN NEEDLE BEARINGS COULD END UP IN ENGINE AND DESTROY ENGINE. EVEN OWNERS REPLACE BROKEN ROCKER ARMS, THEY WILL FAIL BECAUSE THEY'RE UNCAGED. TO REPAIR PERMANENTLY, OWNERS HAVE TO INSTALL CAGED ROCKER ARMS FROM NON-FACTORY PART, WHICH WILL NULLIFY WARRANTY. OWNERS ARE TRAPPED IN KEEP REPLACING ROCKER ARMS, OR INSTALL NON-DEFECTIVE NON-FACTORY CAGED ROCKER ARMS AND LOSE WARRANTY. GM SHOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE DEALER FIVE OTHER TIMES FOR THE SAME WARNING INDICATOR. VARIOUS COMPONENTS WERE REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE DEALER FIVE OTHER TIMES FOR THE SAME WARNING INDICATOR. VARIOUS COMPONENTS WERE REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AWAITING AN APPOINTMENT DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. ..UPDATED 07/31/17 *BF
WHILE PASSING A LARGE TRUCK ON A RURAL HIGHWAY (FM 2004) THE ENGINE DROPPED A VALVE WHICH AS I HAVE BEEN INFORMED IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON THESE CARS WITH THE Z06 LS7 ENGINE HAVING PREMATURE VALVE GUIDE WEAR. THE MOTOR LOCKED UP AFTER THE PISTON HIT THE VALVE RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE CAUSING THE REAR TIRES TO LOCK UP A…
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WHILE PASSING A LARGE TRUCK ON A RURAL HIGHWAY (FM 2004) THE ENGINE DROPPED A VALVE WHICH AS I HAVE BEEN INFORMED IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON THESE CARS WITH THE Z06 LS7 ENGINE HAVING PREMATURE VALVE GUIDE WEAR. THE MOTOR LOCKED UP AFTER THE PISTON HIT THE VALVE RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE CAUSING THE REAR TIRES TO LOCK UP AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE LOCKING. I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE CLUTCH AND REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OTHER THAN A CLOSE CALL WITH THE 18 WHEELER I WAS TRYING TO PASS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF THE SAME ISSUES I HAVE SEEN WHILE RESEARCHING WITH THIS CAR FROM 2007 TO 2013 7.0 LITER ENGINE FROM GM.
2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 WITH LS7 ENGINE - EXCESSIVE ENGINE VALVE GUIDE WEAR - PER THE GM VALVE WIGGLE TEST MY CAR WAS FOUND TO HAVE UP TO 3 TIMES THE ACCEPTABLE ENGINE VALVE TO GUIDE CLEARANCE AT 24,139 MILES. SOME LS7 ENGINES HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, BREAKING A VALVE DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE CLEARANCE CAUSING THE ENGINE BLOCK TO B…
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2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 WITH LS7 ENGINE - EXCESSIVE ENGINE VALVE GUIDE WEAR - PER THE GM VALVE WIGGLE TEST MY CAR WAS FOUND TO HAVE UP TO 3 TIMES THE ACCEPTABLE ENGINE VALVE TO GUIDE CLEARANCE AT 24,139 MILES. SOME LS7 ENGINES HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, BREAKING A VALVE DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE CLEARANCE CAUSING THE ENGINE BLOCK TO BREAK OPEN, SPILLING OIL ONTO THE REAR TIRES WHILE IN FORWARD MOTION CAUSING A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. DUE TO THE SAFETY CONCERN THE ENGINE WAS DISASSEMBLED AND REPAIRED. GM HAS KNOWN OF THIS ISSUE AND REPLACED MANY LS7 ENGINES WHICH DID EXPLODE DUE TO THE VALVE GUIDE WEAR ISSUE.
MAKING A LEFT TURN IN A STOPLIGHT INTER-SECTION THE MOTOR FAILED SHUTTING OFF ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE...MOTOR FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE VALVE GUIDE WEAR...VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET
I HAVE A 2007 CORVETTE Z06 WITH 43 K MILES ON IT. I DECIDED TO HAVE SOMEONE CHECK MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE ARTICLE I HAD READ ABOUT THE LS7 ENGINES HAVING VALVE GUIDE ISSUES. I WAS SURE THAT THEY WOULD BE OK BECAUSE THE CORVETTE SITES SAY IT IS ONLY A MINOR AMOUNT OF HEADS THAT WERE MACHINED IN CORRECTLY. I WAS HAVING OTHER WORK …
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I HAVE A 2007 CORVETTE Z06 WITH 43 K MILES ON IT. I DECIDED TO HAVE SOMEONE CHECK MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE ARTICLE I HAD READ ABOUT THE LS7 ENGINES HAVING VALVE GUIDE ISSUES. I WAS SURE THAT THEY WOULD BE OK BECAUSE THE CORVETTE SITES SAY IT IS ONLY A MINOR AMOUNT OF HEADS THAT WERE MACHINED IN CORRECTLY. I WAS HAVING OTHER WORK DONE TO MY CORVETTE SO LOOKED FOR A PLACE THAT DOES MOSTLY CORVETTE SERVICE, I TOLD THE MECHANIC TO CHECK MY VALVE GUIDES WHILE HE WAS DOING THE OTHER WORK I WAS SURE THEY WOULD OF BEEN OK. UPON MY SURPRISE HE SENT ME VIDEOS SHOWING ME THAT THEY WERE NOT OK AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. IT COST ME $1,950.00 TO HAVE MY HEADS CNC AND NEW VALVE GUIDES AND SPRINGS INSTALLED THE OLD ONES WERE VERY BAD I HAVE VIDEOS SHOWING THIS, THE CAR WAS RUNNING WITH LITTLE VALVE NOISE AT THE TIME BUT WERE STILL BAD MECHANIC WOULD NOT EVEN DYNO THE CAR AFTER SEEING HOW BAD THEY WERE.
Official recalls
214V251000 · Electrical System:wiring; Exterior Lighting:headlights
May 14, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:headlights
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Electrical System:wiring
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
09V491000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars
Dec 23, 2009
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA13007 · Simultaneous Loss Of Low-Beam Headlights
Opened Aug 23, 2013 · Closed Jun 24, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:headlights
On May 14, 2014, General Motors (GM) submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating NHTSA Safety Recall 14V-251 to remedy the subject vehicles.GM will remedy a defect condition in the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC) by modifying the vehicle's electrical harnessing.GM also announced a customer satisfaction bulletin to address this issue on model year (MY) 2008-2013 Chevrolet Corvettes.Both programs will be conducted free of charge.According to GM, when the engine heats up and cools down (from normal use), the plastic material in the UBEC housing expands at a different rate than an electrical conductor routed within it.The difference in expansion rates results in bending of the conductor, a control circuit for the low beam headlights.After multiple thermal cycles, often taking several years of use, the conductor fractures resulting in an open circuit.When this occurs the low-beam headlights will not illuminate.After the engine is turned off and the UBEC cools, the conductor may temporarily reconnect and restore low-beam function, although subsequent failures will occur.This condition does not affect high-beam headlights, marker lamps, turn signals or fog lamps.Simultaneous loss of low-beam headlights could reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. The ODI report counts noted above, involving the loss of low beam headlights, represents those received at the time of GM's recall filing; however NHTSA has since received additional complaints.GM submitted similar complaints in response to the agency's information request.Among the complaints reported to NHTSA, five alleged minor crashes in which the vehicle ran off the road or into roadside objects due to the sudden loss of headlights.Two of these complaints alleged minor injuries and three alleged property damage.Several other reports to NHTSA alleged close calls due to the loss of lighting.GM states that it has received no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities as a result of this condition. GM's recall action appears to adequately address the safety risks in the subject vehicles of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.In addition to recalling the subject vehicles, GM is covering MY 2008-2013 Corvettes, which contain essentially the same UBEC, under a customer satisfaction campaign.ODI notes that these vehicles exhibit a lower likelihood of failure due to their comparatively shorter service life. The VOQs cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10400308, 10415603, 10415867, 10416531, 10421639, 10424391, 10424543, 10445971, 10451733, 10454919, 10460674, 10460750, 10463546, 10466342, 10466857, 10468128, 10469057, 10470616, 10471595, 10474350, 10474368, 10475257, 10486597, 10491670, 10496592, 10496788, 10498100, 10502059, 10505606, 10508507, 10510052, 10511467, 10511517, 10511576, 10511696, 10511699, 10511789, 10511837, 10511994, 10512072, 10512093, 10512154, 10512292, 10512341, 10512856, 10513422, 10514576, 10514802, 10514978, 10515162, 10515311, 10515821, 10519426, 10519879, 10520155, 10521036, 10521585, 10522260, 10523059, 10523064, 10523190, 10525646, 10531602, 10531631, 10532221, 10532439, 10533227, 10533251, 10533339, 10536835, 10537561, 10537612, 10538184, 10541749, 10542468, 10542540, 10542576, 10542708, 10542726, 10543187, 10543970, 10544083, 10544810, 10545441, 10545516, 10547343, 10547561, 10547600, 10548492, 10548588, 10548687, 10548982, 10549272, 10549487, 10550079, 10550260, 10551233, 10551867, 10551926, 10551978, 10552019, 10553258, 10554456, 10554573, 10556002, 10556433, 10556844, 10556984, 1
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting
On May 14, 2014, General Motors (GM) submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating NHTSA Safety Recall 14V-251 to remedy the subject vehicles.GM will remedy a defect condition in the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC) by modifying the vehicle's electrical harnessing.GM also announced a customer satisfaction bulletin to address this issue on model year (MY) 2008-2013 Chevrolet Corvettes.Both programs will be conducted free of charge.According to GM, when the engine heats up and cools down (from normal use), the plastic material in the UBEC housing expands at a different rate than an electrical conductor routed within it.The difference in expansion rates results in bending of the conductor, a control circuit for the low beam headlights.After multiple thermal cycles, often taking several years of use, the conductor fractures resulting in an open circuit.When this occurs the low-beam headlights will not illuminate.After the engine is turned off and the UBEC cools, the conductor may temporarily reconnect and restore low-beam function, although subsequent failures will occur.This condition does not affect high-beam headlights, marker lamps, turn signals or fog lamps.Simultaneous loss of low-beam headlights could reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. The ODI report counts noted above, involving the loss of low beam headlights, represents those received at the time of GM's recall filing; however NHTSA has since received additional complaints.GM submitted similar complaints in response to the agency's information request.Among the complaints reported to NHTSA, five alleged minor crashes in which the vehicle ran off the road or into roadside objects due to the sudden loss of headlights.Two of these complaints alleged minor injuries and three alleged property damage.Several other reports to NHTSA alleged close calls due to the loss of lighting.GM states that it has received no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities as a result of this condition. GM's recall action appears to adequately address the safety risks in the subject vehicles of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.In addition to recalling the subject vehicles, GM is covering MY 2008-2013 Corvettes, which contain essentially the same UBEC, under a customer satisfaction campaign.ODI notes that these vehicles exhibit a lower likelihood of failure due to their comparatively shorter service life. The VOQs cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10400308, 10415603, 10415867, 10416531, 10421639, 10424391, 10424543, 10445971, 10451733, 10454919, 10460674, 10460750, 10463546, 10466342, 10466857, 10468128, 10469057, 10470616, 10471595, 10474350, 10474368, 10475257, 10486597, 10491670, 10496592, 10496788, 10498100, 10502059, 10505606, 10508507, 10510052, 10511467, 10511517, 10511576, 10511696, 10511699, 10511789, 10511837, 10511994, 10512072, 10512093, 10512154, 10512292, 10512341, 10512856, 10513422, 10514576, 10514802, 10514978, 10515162, 10515311, 10515821, 10519426, 10519879, 10520155, 10521036, 10521585, 10522260, 10523059, 10523064, 10523190, 10525646, 10531602, 10531631, 10532221, 10532439, 10533227, 10533251, 10533339, 10536835, 10537561, 10537612, 10538184, 10541749, 10542468, 10542540, 10542576, 10542708, 10542726, 10543187, 10543970, 10544083, 10544810, 10545441, 10545516, 10547343, 10547561, 10547600, 10548492, 10548588, 10548687, 10548982, 10549272, 10549487, 10550079, 10550260, 10551233, 10551867, 10551926, 10551978, 10552019, 10553258, 10554456, 10554573, 10556002, 10556433, 10556844, 10556984, 1
Exterior Lighting:headlights
On May 14, 2014, General Motors (GM) submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating NHTSA Safety Recall 14V-251 to remedy the subject vehicles.GM will remedy a defect condition in the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC) by modifying the vehicle's electrical harnessing.GM also announced a customer satisfaction bulletin to address this issue on model year (MY) 2008-2013 Chevrolet Corvettes.Both programs will be conducted free of charge.According to GM, when the engine heats up and cools down (from normal use), the plastic material in the UBEC housing expands at a different rate than an electrical conductor routed within it.The difference in expansion rates results in bending of the conductor, a control circuit for the low beam headlights.After multiple thermal cycles, often taking several years of use, the conductor fractures resulting in an open circuit.When this occurs the low-beam headlights will not illuminate.After the engine is turned off and the UBEC cools, the conductor may temporarily reconnect and restore low-beam function, although subsequent failures will occur.This condition does not affect high-beam headlights, marker lamps, turn signals or fog lamps.Simultaneous loss of low-beam headlights could reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. The ODI report counts noted above, involving the loss of low beam headlights, represents those received at the time of GM's recall filing; however NHTSA has since received additional complaints.GM submitted similar complaints in response to the agency's information request.Among the complaints reported to NHTSA, five alleged minor crashes in which the vehicle ran off the road or into roadside objects due to the sudden loss of headlights.Two of these complaints alleged minor injuries and three alleged property damage.Several other reports to NHTSA alleged close calls due to the loss of lighting.GM states that it has received no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities as a result of this condition. GM's recall action appears to adequately address the safety risks in the subject vehicles of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.In addition to recalling the subject vehicles, GM is covering MY 2008-2013 Corvettes, which contain essentially the same UBEC, under a customer satisfaction campaign.ODI notes that these vehicles exhibit a lower likelihood of failure due to their comparatively shorter service life. The VOQs cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10400308, 10415603, 10415867, 10416531, 10421639, 10424391, 10424543, 10445971, 10451733, 10454919, 10460674, 10460750, 10463546, 10466342, 10466857, 10468128, 10469057, 10470616, 10471595, 10474350, 10474368, 10475257, 10486597, 10491670, 10496592, 10496788, 10498100, 10502059, 10505606, 10508507, 10510052, 10511467, 10511517, 10511576, 10511696, 10511699, 10511789, 10511837, 10511994, 10512072, 10512093, 10512154, 10512292, 10512341, 10512856, 10513422, 10514576, 10514802, 10514978, 10515162, 10515311, 10515821, 10519426, 10519879, 10520155, 10521036, 10521585, 10522260, 10523059, 10523064, 10523190, 10525646, 10531602, 10531631, 10532221, 10532439, 10533227, 10533251, 10533339, 10536835, 10537561, 10537612, 10538184, 10541749, 10542468, 10542540, 10542576, 10542708, 10542726, 10543187, 10543970, 10544083, 10544810, 10545441, 10545516, 10547343, 10547561, 10547600, 10548492, 10548588, 10548687, 10548982, 10549272, 10549487, 10550079, 10550260, 10551233, 10551867, 10551926, 10551978, 10552019, 10553258, 10554456, 10554573, 10556002, 10556433, 10556844, 10556984, 1
PE13013 · Loss Of Low Beam Headlights
Opened May 6, 2013 · Closed Aug 26, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:headlights
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 30 reports from consumers alleging that, after driving for a short time (5 to 30 minutes), both low beam headlights stopped working simultaneously and without warning. The low beam headlights remained inoperative for the remainder of the drive cycle, however no other lighting is affected.General Motors (GM) provided information in response to ODI's information request letter explaining that the loss of headlights is caused by a fractured low beam circuit wire in the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC), a device that is similar to a fuse box. The UBEC is located in a high heat area near the engine, and the low beam circuit wire routing within the UBEC makes it susceptible to cyclical stress caused by thermal expansion.The investigation covers model years 2005-2007 Corvettes however ODI also has received four VOQs alleging the same condition in model year 2008 Corvettes. ODI is upgrading the investigation to an Engineering Analysis to further examine the consequences, frequency and scope of this problem. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers.For MY 2005-2007: 10400308, 10415603, 10415867, 10416531, 10421639, 10424391, 10424543, 10445971, 10451733, 10454919, 10460674, 10460750, 10463546, 10466342, 10466857, 10468128, 10469057, 10470616, 10471595, 10474350, 10474368, 10475257, 10486597, 10491670, 10496592, 10496788, 10498100, 10502059, 10505606, 10508507, 10510052, 10511467, 10511517, 10511576, 10511696, 10511699, 10511789, 10511837, 10511994, 10512072, 10512093, 10512154, 10512292, 10512341, 10513422, 10514802, 10514978, 10515162, 10515311, 10515821, 10519426, 10519879, 10520155, 10521036, 10521585, 10522260, 10523064, 10523190, 10525646, 10531602, 10531631, 10532439, 10533227, 10533251, 10533339For MY 2008: 10512856, 10514576, 10523059, 10532221
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 30 reports from consumers alleging that, after driving for a short time (5 to 30 minutes), both low beam headlights stopped working simultaneously and without warning. The low beam headlights remained inoperative for the remainder of the drive cycle, however no other lighting is affected.General Motors (GM) provided information in response to ODI's information request letter explaining that the loss of headlights is caused by a fractured low beam circuit wire in the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC), a device that is similar to a fuse box. The UBEC is located in a high heat area near the engine, and the low beam circuit wire routing within the UBEC makes it susceptible to cyclical stress caused by thermal expansion.The investigation covers model years 2005-2007 Corvettes however ODI also has received four VOQs alleging the same condition in model year 2008 Corvettes. ODI is upgrading the investigation to an Engineering Analysis to further examine the consequences, frequency and scope of this problem. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers.For MY 2005-2007: 10400308, 10415603, 10415867, 10416531, 10421639, 10424391, 10424543, 10445971, 10451733, 10454919, 10460674, 10460750, 10463546, 10466342, 10466857, 10468128, 10469057, 10470616, 10471595, 10474350, 10474368, 10475257, 10486597, 10491670, 10496592, 10496788, 10498100, 10502059, 10505606, 10508507, 10510052, 10511467, 10511517, 10511576, 10511696, 10511699, 10511789, 10511837, 10511994, 10512072, 10512093, 10512154, 10512292, 10512341, 10513422, 10514802, 10514978, 10515162, 10515311, 10515821, 10519426, 10519879, 10520155, 10521036, 10521585, 10522260, 10523064, 10523190, 10525646, 10531602, 10531631, 10532439, 10533227, 10533251, 10533339For MY 2008: 10512856, 10514576, 10523059, 10532221
Exterior Lighting:headlights
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 30 reports from consumers alleging that, after driving for a short time (5 to 30 minutes), both low beam headlights stopped working simultaneously and without warning. The low beam headlights remained inoperative for the remainder of the drive cycle, however no other lighting is affected.General Motors (GM) provided information in response to ODI's information request letter explaining that the loss of headlights is caused by a fractured low beam circuit wire in the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC), a device that is similar to a fuse box. The UBEC is located in a high heat area near the engine, and the low beam circuit wire routing within the UBEC makes it susceptible to cyclical stress caused by thermal expansion.The investigation covers model years 2005-2007 Corvettes however ODI also has received four VOQs alleging the same condition in model year 2008 Corvettes. ODI is upgrading the investigation to an Engineering Analysis to further examine the consequences, frequency and scope of this problem. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers.For MY 2005-2007: 10400308, 10415603, 10415867, 10416531, 10421639, 10424391, 10424543, 10445971, 10451733, 10454919, 10460674, 10460750, 10463546, 10466342, 10466857, 10468128, 10469057, 10470616, 10471595, 10474350, 10474368, 10475257, 10486597, 10491670, 10496592, 10496788, 10498100, 10502059, 10505606, 10508507, 10510052, 10511467, 10511517, 10511576, 10511696, 10511699, 10511789, 10511837, 10511994, 10512072, 10512093, 10512154, 10512292, 10512341, 10513422, 10514802, 10514978, 10515162, 10515311, 10515821, 10519426, 10519879, 10520155, 10521036, 10521585, 10522260, 10523064, 10523190, 10525646, 10531602, 10531631, 10532439, 10533227, 10533251, 10533339For MY 2008: 10512856, 10514576, 10523059, 10532221