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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

341 reports
59,308 miles · Aug 18, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

LAST MONTH WHEN I FILLED THE GAS TANK I HAD A STRONG ODER OF GAS WHEN I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE. NOW I SMELL GAS IN THE CAR AS I DRIVE IT. I DID NOT OVERFLOW THE GAS TANK UPON REFILL.

NHTSA ODI #11350065

60,100 miles · Aug 7, 2020
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT INITIALLY SMELLED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SPOTS AROUND HIS LEFT REAR TIRE IN HIS DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT INITIALLY SMELLED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SPOTS AROUND HIS LEFT REAR TIRE IN HIS DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP, AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. SINCE THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS FUEL GAUGE HAD BECOME DEFECTIVE AND WOULD GIVE FALSE READINGS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH BURNS CHEVROLET OF GAFFNEY (101 PEACHOID RD, GAFFNEY, SC 29341) WHERE HE ATTEMPTED TO PURCHASE A FUEL PUMP BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FUEL GAUGE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,100.

NHTSA ODI #11343856

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

I HAVE A VERY LOUD ODOR OF GAS COMING FROM THE CAR (2007 CORVETTE) AFTER I FILL IT UP WITH GAS. I AM UNABLE TO PARK IT INSIDE MY GARAGE BECAUSE THE SMELL OF GAS WILL FILL MY HOME. THE SMELL OF GAS IS ONLY NOTICEABLE WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED.

NHTSA ODI #11337607

90,000 miles · Jun 1, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

SERVICE B. : 15682 GAS SMELL; DEALER TELLING ME REQUIRES LEFT FUEL PUMP AND CROSSOVER PIPE AND THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS ITS VERY DANGEROUS. I NEVER GOT ANYTHING FROM CHEVY REGARDING THIS ISSUE. HAVE HAD SMELL ISSUES FOR YEARS. HAVE BARELY DRIVEN IN 2.5 YEARS BECAUSE OF ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11326795

62,000 miles · May 7, 2020
Engine

I WAS PARTICIPATING IN A HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVING EDUCATION (HPDE) EVENT AND WAS DRIVING MY CAR GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON THE VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY (VIR) ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 27, 2017, WHEN IT SEEMED TO LOOSE ACCELERATION. I DROVE FURTHER ON THE TRACK AND STILL DID NOT HAVE NORMAL ACCELERATION AND I SAW BLUE S…

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I WAS PARTICIPATING IN A HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVING EDUCATION (HPDE) EVENT AND WAS DRIVING MY CAR GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON THE VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY (VIR) ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 27, 2017, WHEN IT SEEMED TO LOOSE ACCELERATION. I DROVE FURTHER ON THE TRACK AND STILL DID NOT HAVE NORMAL ACCELERATION AND I SAW BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT THE EXHAUST SO I EXITED THE TRACK AND WHEN I GOT IN THE ENGINE STOPPED. SEVERAL MECHANIC TYPE PEOPLE FAMILIAR WITH CORVETTES LOOKED AT MY CAR ENGINE AND INSTRUCTED ME TO TRY TO START IT, WHICH I WAS ABLE TO DO AND AGAIN BLUE EXHAUST SMOKE CAME OUT. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY CAR DEALER, HOLIDAY CHEVROLET IN WILLIAMSBURG, VA. THEIR MECHANICS DETERMINED THAT THE EXHAUST VALVE IN CYLINDER #1 DROPPED FROM THE HEAD INTO THE CYLINDER AND EVENTUALLY EXITED THE ENGINE THROUGH THE EXHAUST PORT AND INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND AN ENTIRE ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS REQUIRED, WHICH IS WHAT I DID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323771

12,600 miles · May 7, 2020
Engine

I PURCHASED MY CORVETTE IN 2013. IT HAD 11050 MILES ON IT. I DROVE IT FOR 3 MONTHS. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND IT DROPPED THE NUMBER #1 CYLINDER VALVE AND THREW A PISTON OUT THE MOTOR. IT HAD 12600 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPEN. THEIR HAS BEEN SEVERAL CORVETTE OWNERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. I FEEL GMC IS RELIABLE FOR THIS IS ISSU…

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I PURCHASED MY CORVETTE IN 2013. IT HAD 11050 MILES ON IT. I DROVE IT FOR 3 MONTHS. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND IT DROPPED THE NUMBER #1 CYLINDER VALVE AND THREW A PISTON OUT THE MOTOR. IT HAD 12600 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPEN. THEIR HAS BEEN SEVERAL CORVETTE OWNERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. I FEEL GMC IS RELIABLE FOR THIS IS ISSUE AND NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323620

795 miles · May 6, 2020
Power Train

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND A BIG BLACK CLOUD OF SMOKE STARTING SPEWING OUT SO I PULLED OVER. HAD IT TOWED TO A CORVETTE SPECIALIST AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT PISTON #7 WAS CRACKED. I STILL HAVE THE CRACKED PISTON IN MY POSSESSION, I'VE ATTACHED PHOTOS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323513

150,000 miles · Mar 31, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

EBCM FAILURE RESULTING IN LOSS OF ANTI SKID SYSTEM, ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH DIRECTLY IMPACTS THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND STEERING. APPARENTLY IT'S A COMMON FAILURE AND GM HAS STOPPED MANUFACTURING OF THE NEEDED MODULES. THE RESULT IS THAT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THIS…

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EBCM FAILURE RESULTING IN LOSS OF ANTI SKID SYSTEM, ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH DIRECTLY IMPACTS THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND STEERING. APPARENTLY IT'S A COMMON FAILURE AND GM HAS STOPPED MANUFACTURING OF THE NEEDED MODULES. THE RESULT IS THAT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE ARE EITHER UNSAFE NOW OR WILL BECOME UNSAFE WITHOUT ANY WARNING.

NHTSA ODI #11319865

12,000 miles · Mar 19, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST VALVE AND NUMBER ONE CYLINDER FAILED AND N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST VALVE AND NUMBER ONE CYLINDER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ODI #11318680

24,139 miles · Mar 18, 2020
Engine

2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZOS 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 BR…

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2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZOS 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 LN 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.

NHTSA ODI #11318547

Official recalls

2

14V251000 · 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

2

EA13007 · 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