2006 Chevrolet Corvette

Photo: Spanish Coches / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

2006 Chevrolet Corvette: common problems and reliability

· C6

One of the worst Corvette years.

One of the Chevrolet Corvette years to avoid. All Corvette years

826 owner complaints, most about structure. 5 recalls.

Should I buy a 2006 Corvette?

The 2006 Chevrolet Corvette has 826 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are structure and exterior lighting. Owners most often flag cheap, dated interior materials and design.

Safety record for the 2006 model year

826
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
30
Crash reports
8
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2006 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other Corvette years only. How we score it

Is 2006 a good year for the Corvette?

Across the 30 Corvette model years we track, complaint volume runs from 13 (2021) to 1,178 (2008). With 826 complaints, the 2006 Corvette sits above the model's median of 170.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

structure
130
exterior lighting
130
electronic stability control (esc)
104
fuel/propulsion system
100
electrical system
96

Recalls affecting the 2006 Corvette

electrical system:wiring

Campaign 14V251000

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.

steering:column

Campaign 10V172000

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. IF THIS OCCURS, THE MESSAGE, "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM" WILL APPEAR IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER, AND ONE OR MORE OF THE BRAKES MAY APPLY, POSSIBLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT.

structure:body:roof and pillars

Campaign 09V491000

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.

steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections

Campaign 05V455000

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.

Show 1 more recall

structure:body:roof and pillars

Campaign 06V181000

ON CERTAIN 2005-2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTES EQUIPPED WITH PAINTED ROOFS, THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE ROOF PANEL AND THE FRAME MAY SEPARATE.

What owners report on the C6 Corvette

Owners regard the C6 as a strong performance value with a reliable LS engine family, praising its speed, handling, and surprisingly good highway fuel economy for a V8.

  • Very frequentCheap, dated interior materials and design
  • RecurrentInterior rattles, especially in cooler weather
  • RecurrentLoud cabin and rough ride
  • RecurrentPoor visibility and low height making the car hard for other drivers to see
  • RecurrentExpensive and frequently worn tires

Owner insights for the C6 Corvette. Read the full C6 owner report.

Typical used price

Used Corvette listings typically run $23,270–$45,987.

Other Corvette model years

Compare every Corvette year side by side to see how 2006 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Corvette against its rivals

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