Most common 2006 Chevrolet Corvette problems
Share of the 365 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Corvette complaints by model year
Best Corvette years: 2021, 2012, 2011. Years to avoid: 2017, 2019, 1998, 2005, 2008. Compare all years →
2006 Chevrolet Corvette recalls (5)
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.
Steering › Column
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.
Remedy: 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…
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
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.
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.
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
On certain 2005-2006 Chevrolet corvettes equipped with painted roofs, the adhesive between the roof panel and the frame May separate.
Remedy: 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.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette:
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.
Electronic stability control malfunction
On September 17, 2008, odi opened preliminary evaluation pe08-056 to investigate allegations of inappropriate activation of the electronic stability control (ESC) system in model year (my) 2005 and 2006 Chevrolet corvette vehicles.some reports received by odi and some reports to general motors (GM) contained in GM's response to pe08-056 allege that the ESC system malfunctioned causing a sudden and inappropriate…
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…
Electronic Stability Control
On April 26, 2010, at NHTSA's request following this investigation, General Motors submitted a Defect Information Report to NHTSA to correct a defect associated with the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system in approximately 40,000 Model Year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles (NHTSA Recall No.
What 2006 Chevrolet Corvette owners say
Lights all 62 →
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving at speeds above 25 MPH, the ABS system failed, causing the front brakes to activate without the driver depressing the brake pedal. During the failure the active handling warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the active handling control module wiring harness was faulty and needed to be replaced. Additionally, while operating the vehicle the low beam headlights inadvertently turned off. The mechanic diagnosed that the wiring harness for the exterior lighting needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V251000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting). …
The headlight covers are crazing over which is materially reducing the light output. 1. The covers cannot be polished. Not only does that destroy the outer coating, the crazing is through-and-through. 2. The covers are glued on and cannot be replaced by any official means, although some inventive people have managed to succeed (usually after multiple failed attempts) by sticking the entire assembly in their kitchen oven. However, [see next point] 3. The covers themselves are not available for sale. 4. The headlight assemblies themselves, which cost around $1,000 per side, are specific to the color of the car, and are now discontinued. In other words, there is no legit pathway to fixing this problem. GM made a throwaway headlamp assembly that cost a fortune to replace when it was produced, and now it's not available at all. This is not an old car. These cars were produced until 2013. …
Body & structure all 59 →
THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS AN INADVERTENT DUPLICATE OF ODI# 11442986 The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated the roof panel is delaminated. The contact stated that wind was entering the vehicle with window closed. The contact called the local dealer but vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, provided no further assistance The approximate failure mileage was 55,000. The contact stated the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign number 09V491000 (Structure). The contact was concerned about the roof detaching,
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the roof panel was delaminated. The contact stated that the wind was entering the vehicle with the window closed. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no further assistance. The contact stated the failure was like NHTSA Campaign number 09V491000 (Structure). The contact was concerned about the roof detaching. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
Fuel & propulsion system all 50 →
Vehicle is leaving a strong gas order inside and around the vehicle. This issue is currently awaiting to be inspected but for the meantime, it's parked inside a garage where it completely fills the area with said odor. This is particularly unsafe due to our water heater also being located in this section of the house. Gas smell first appeared about a month ago and had consistently releasing these vapors. I've seen that GM has released a service bulletin for a short period of time but hasn't officially recalled the fuel issue (faulty fuel system).
2006 Corvette convertible. Has a strong gas smell after filling up. I understand this is a common problem, but Chevrolet will not acknowledge it. The gas can drip down on the hot exhaust system, and start a fire, burning down our house, or out on the road with us in it! Please help us get this deadly problem resolved, with little expense heaped upon us. Thank you, [redacted]
2006 Chevrolet Corvette engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 26 / 19 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 25 / 19 |
| 7.0L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 24 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette a good car?
Based on 365 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Corvette rates avoid: 2.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the Corvette at the same age. It is one of the Corvette years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette?
The lights — 62 complaints, 17% of all complaints for this model year, most often about headlights. Next are the body & structure (59) and fuel & propulsion system (50).
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette, the most recent from May 14, 2014 (headlights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Corvette?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021, 2012 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2019, 1998, 2005 and 2008. See the full Chevrolet Corvette years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Corvette problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 38,000 miles; 59% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.