Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 112 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 18 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 14 | 13% |
| Power train | 9 | 8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 4% |
| Structure | 3 | 3% |
| Seats | 3 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while reversing from the driveway, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Numbe
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Vehicle was part of mandatory recall for problems with steering column lock. The same identified and inherent problem happened so that the steering column lock is engaged and will not disengage. GM was contacted and re
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Gm refuse to repurchase below is a overview. they are refusing engineering assitance to the dealership to fix the problem. Next week the car will be there a month again. This is the 7th time on this repair which was a re
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY CEASED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN AREA AND IN THE TRUNK AFTER FILLING THE CORVETTE WITH GASOLINE. THE STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS AT IT'S STRONGEST SCENT WHEN THE DECK LID WAS OPEN. I STOOD ON THE REAR RIGHT
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
MY CAR HAS 45,000 MILES. THERE IS A FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR. I ALWAYS FILL THE TANK FULL WHEN I PLAN ON NOT DRIVING IT FOR A WHILE. IF I LEAVE IT PARKED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND DON'T DRIVE IT, THE FUEL TANK WILL
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING CEASED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V060000 (S
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE CAR HAS DEVELOPED A CONDITION WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILS TO UNLOCK THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. A MESSAGE APPEARS IN THE DIC DISPLAY TELLING YOU TO PULL THE KEY AND WAIT 10 SECONDS. IT
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEMS (ECL), WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED TO "LOCK," THE ECL SYSTEM PREVENTS TURNING OF THE STEERING SYSTEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE ECL UNLOCKS THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED SO THAT IF THE COLUMN
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL DISABLE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK BY REMOVING THE COLUMN LOCK PLATE. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WIL
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 66 | good |
| Depreciation | 98 | excellent |
| Performance | 74 | good |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other sports & two-seaters in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 112 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 18 of them (16%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2003 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.