Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Chevrolet Corvette owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the headlights were flickering and then became inoperable. The fuse box was melted. There was smoke detected from underneath the hood. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V251000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed the contact that the part was no longer produced. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
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 listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 123,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the low-beam headlight failed to function properly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the fuse box to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V251000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,458.
When the car is completely warmed up and I'm driving about 10 minutes further. First the daylight running lights go out. Then the turn signals in front don't work. Then the high beams don't work. All work while the car is cold. I was driving down the highway at 70 miles an hour when suddenly the high beams went out. I was in a panic and quickly switched on the fog lights. I could not get the headlight to turn back on. About 2 years ago I had a similar problem with my low beams. After the car warmed up the low beams would suddenly turn off. I took it to the dealership and they said it was a safety recall item and they fixed it with a jumper cable.
I bought a 2005 Chevy Corvette convertible at a dealership in baton rouge louisiana named gerry lane Chevrolet they told me everything worked on the car when I got the car in 2019 the car had over 40 problems that the head-up display doesn't work the headlight goes off sometimes comes on sometimes the cd player doesn't work the navigation screen doesn't work the speakers are sounding crack and does train sensor without they only fix the crank sensor and the cigarette lighter doesn't work and the convertible top doesn't want to go up and down sometime
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact was driving approximately 60 MPH and as he attempted to engage the left turn signal prior to changing lanes, the turn signal failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they informed him that the turn signal bulb had overheated and caused the wiring harness to melt. The wiring harness, turn signal bulb and socket were replaced. The failure mileage was 19,617. Updated 03/24/11 updated 1/5/12
My 2005 Chevrolet Corvette is having the same issues listed in campaign 10V172000 on 04/26/2010. Yet when I enter my VIN number it says no recalls. The "service active handling system" message appears with loss of the feature and loss of brakes lights. The brakes lights come on spontaneously while driving and turn off when the brakes are actually applied. Obviously a dangerous situation. 02
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. While driving 50 MPH, the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V251000 (electrical system, exterior lighting) the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
When I drive my car at night my low beams stop working after 25min of driving it. Everything else is working fine so I have to drive with my high beams and I've been pull over for driving like that. After I park and the car sits for few hours the low beams start to work again.
I lost the driver side low beam headlight on my 2005 Corvette while driving at night on the highway. This problem created the unsafe condition and triggered the high beam which obscure incoming vehicle and was a safety risk.
Related recalls
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Low Beam 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.
Simultaneous Loss of Low-Beam 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…
Headlight complaints in other Corvette years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette?
NHTSA has 87 complaints about the lights of the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette, 16% of the model year's 532 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Corvette headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-251 (headlights, May 14, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Corvette headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.