Chevrolet C7 problems
The Chevrolet Corvette (C7) is the seventh generation of the Corvette sports car manufactured by American automobile manufacturer Chevrolet from 2014 until 2019. The first C7 Corvettes were delivered in the third quarter of 2013. The racing variants include the C7.R, which won the GTLM 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Development and introduction
GM executives began planning the next-generation (C7) Corvette sports car in 2007. The car was originally planned for the 2011 model year, but was delayed. Mid-engine and rear-engine layouts had been considered, but the front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive platform was chosen to keep costs lower.
The lead exterior designer of the C7 Corvette was Hwasup Lee, whose team completed the design between 2010 and 2011. The design director for the C7 was Kirk Bennion and the design was approved by the division's design director, Tom Peters, in 2011.
The 2014 Corvette debuted on Sunday, January 13, 2013, in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show. Chevrolet also showed the new crossed flags logo for the Corvette.
While overall the C7 attempts to provide an evolutionary redesign to an iconic theme, the car's designers incorporated aggressive angular elements. The C7 received criticism for some of the more styled elements of the car. "The rear contains what will surely be the C7's most controversial styling elements. It's all creases and vents back there, with aggressive trapezoidal taillights similar to those found on the current Camaro and quadruple-barreled tailpipes lined up in a neat row in the center of the rear valance", wrote Jason Kavanagh for Edmunds. Functional aerodynamic aids are tacked on or cut into every body panel of the C7, often juxtaposed against sharp creases. This is a radical departure from the prior generations of Corvettes, whose styling had no spoiler, few body panel creases, and only semi-functional gills for front brake cooling. In addition, past Corvette models minimized the size of headlamps or even hid them altogether. The C7 reverses that minimalist styling language with intricately styled headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights (DRL).
The C7's all-new LT1 6.2L Small Block V-8 engine develops 460 horsepower (340 kW) and 465 pound-feet (630 N⋅m) of torque. This comes with the performance exhaust package, which is already included in the Z51 Performance Package or the level-up model, the Grand Sport, but is very common to see the standalone performance exhaust package being paired up with the base model. Without the performance exhaust, the powertrain produces 455 horsepower (339 kW) and 460 pound-feet (620 N⋅m) of torque. With the performance exhaust, the car can accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.7 seconds when paired with the eight-speed automatic gearbox. The C7's suspension consists of independent unequal-length double wishbones with transverse fiberglass mono-leaf springs and optional magnetorheological dampers, similar to its predecessor.
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Chevrolet C7 model years
Common Chevrolet C7 problems
The C7 Chevrolet Corvette, produced from 2014 to 2019, is known for several common problems that affect its performance and longevity. These issues are primarily related to the engine, transmission, wheels, and interior.
- Engine Cooling System: The C7 Z06's engine cooling system has been criticized for not being efficient enough, especially during high-speed track driving in high ambient temperatures. This can cause the vehicle to enter a reduced power mode, which can seriously deteriorate the engine if driven under immense heat for extended periods.
- Transmission Issues: Some C7 Corvette owners have reported experiencing jerky and stiff shifts, which can cause the car to surge in traffic or vibrate excessively. These transmission problems can lead to the need for a new transmission just days after noticing the issue.
- Touchscreen Failure: The touchscreen of the C7 Corvette is known to fail, becoming completely black or displaying flickering images. This issue is often caused by loose wiring in the HMI module, which the infotainment system is connected to. Plugging these wires back in can solve the problem, but in rare cases, the screen itself may be the issue.
- Wheel Problems: Many C7 Corvette owners, particularly those with Z06 and Grand Sport models, have reported severe wheel problems. The wheels can warp or crack after being hit by potholes, less than the number of times it takes the average wheel to crack. This issue led to two class-action lawsuits against Chevrolet, and problems with the wheels and brakes were partially resolved during the 2020 Corvette C7 recall.
- Engine Wear and Debris: Debris and dirt getting into the engine can, over time, cause various engine problems. Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential to keep the engine in good condition. C7 Engine Bay Accessories, such as the Polished Stainless Steel Throttle Body Actuator Cover, Perforated Brake Booster Cover, and Polished Stainless Steel Fuel Rail Covers, can help protect the engine from dust and debris, ensuring its longevity and performance.
In conclusion, while the C7 Chevrolet Corvette is a popular and generally reliable sports car, it is prone to several common problems related to the engine, transmission, wheels, and interior. Proper maintenance, regular inspections, and timely repairs can help mitigate these issues and ensure the car's longevity and performance.
How many miles will a C7 last?
Generally speaking, though, the reported B50 (average mileage at which half of engines need replacement/overhaul) for the C7 is right around 500k miles. The rough rule of thumb to convert mileage to engine hours is to divide it by 60, giving 8,333 hours.
Is C7 or C8 better?
The C8 also features a new 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 35 horsepower and 15 lb-ft of torque compared to the C7. The C8 also boasts a much more aerodynamic design than the C7, thanks to its sleek and low-slung body.
How many miles do C7 Corvette tires last?
It all depends on how you drive. On my previous Stingrays, I got about 18,000 miles on my tires before needing replacement. Also, check your local classifieds website like Craigslist for new take offs. You could pick up a new set easily for under a grand.
What problems does a 2014 Corvette have?
AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Chevrolet C7 years
We have researched Chevrolet problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Chevrolet C7 cars and compiled the top 1 most problematic Chevrolet C7 model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Chevrolet C7 model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Chevrolet C7 years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Chevrolet C7 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Chevrolet C7 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Seats problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Chevrolet C7 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Chevrolet C7 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Chevrolet C7 vehicles.
List of Chevrolet C7 complaints
Chevrolet C7 1995
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 2003-02-27
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: THE DRIVER SEAT BACK COLLAPSED, WHILE DRIVING.*JB
Recalls Chevrolet C7
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the Chevrolet C7.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Chevrolet C7 1995
- Report Received Date: 1995-07-05
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
- Summary: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A TRANSMISSION REVERSE SIGNAL SWITCH THAT COULD LEAK CAUSING LOSS OF ELECTRICAL CONTACT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN REVERSE. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
- Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE BACKUP WARNING SYSTEM (LIGHTS AND AUDIBLE ALARMS) FROM OPERATING PROPERLY, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REVERSE SIGNAL PRESSURE SWITCH.
- Model: Chevrolet C7 1995
- Report Received Date: 1995-02-16
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: THE SEATS OF THESE VEHICLES CAN HAVE INCOMPLETE WELDED LEFT SIDE SEAT BACK FRAME EXTENDER ARM WELDS. VEHICLES WITH AFFECTED SEATS DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
- Consequence: COSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE DURING A VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND WOULD NOT PROPERLY PROTECT THE OCCUPANT.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LEFT SIDE SEAT BACK EXTENDER ARMS OF THE SEATS FOR MISSING WELDS. WELDS SHOULD BE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SEAT BACK EXTENDER ARM. IF A WELD IS MISSING, THE AFFECTED SEAT BACK FRAME ASSEMBLY(IES) WILL BE REPLACED.