Check a VIN

2004 Chevrolet Corvette problems

The most common problem on the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette is fuel and propulsion system, typically around 34,000 miles. It has 2.6 times the complaints of a typical Corvette model year.

Year to avoid2.6x the typical complaints
Year score
41/100
Owner complaints
217
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
480
Worst area
Fuel system
Fuel economy
19-20mpg
Typical repair
$2,000

The worst 2004 Chevrolet Corvette problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette

Fuel leak 66Fuel smell 66Steering lock-up 9Check engine light 8Fuel pump 7Engine failure 6Fuel gauge 6

Recalls 2

Steering: linkagesReported June 9, 2004 · 41,928 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles involved in this campaign, the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers were made of the wrong material. The washers may fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, reducing clamp load. Separation of the control arm ball stud and steering knuckle, due to disengagement of the tapered attachment and retaining nut, is possible.
Risk
If the control arm separates from the knuckle, the affected corner of the vehicle will drop and the control arm would be forced downward, contacting the wheel. The affected wheel could tilt outward and create a dragging action that would tend to slow the vehicle and create a tendency for the vehicle to turn in the direction of the affected wheel. In extreme situations, the affected wheel assembly could separate from the vehicle. Separation of the wheel assembly would also sever that wheel;s hydraulic brake hose and result in diminished braking performance of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the ball stud joints and measure the torque of the nut for all front lower control arms in all models affected as well as the rear lower control arms on the xlr and corvette. If the torque is not at specification, the dealers will replace the ball stud, the knuckle, and the nut. If the torque is at specification, the dealers will replace the nut/washer assembly only. The recall will begin on august 25, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339 or chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438.

Recall number 04V273000 · Recall details

Steering: column locking: anti-theft deviceReported February 9, 2004 · 126,624 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 fails to unlock when the vehicle is started and the customer tries to drive, the fuel supply will be shut off so that the vehicle cannot move when the vehicle cannot be steered. If voltage at the powertrain control module is low or interrupted, however, the fuel shut off may not occur and the vehicle can be accelerated while the steering system is locked. Also when the control system shows that the ecl is unlocked and the vehicle is being driven, the lock pin location can vary. Depending on the location of the lock plate relative to the switch transition point, there could then be contact between the lock plate and pin causing the steering to lock while driving .
Risk
If this occurs, a crash could occur without warning.
Remedy
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 will lock but the steering column will not lock. On vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, the dealer will reprogram the powertrain control module, perform a dimensional check of the column lock and, if necessary, replace the lock plate. The steering column on these vehicles will continue to lock when the key is removed. Owner notification to owners of 1997 vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions began on april 26, 2004. Owners of 1998 through 2004 vehicles (except 1997-1998 manual transmission vehicles) will be notified beginning on august 2, 2004. The remaining owners (1997-1998 manual transmission vehicles) will be notified later in 2004, when parts are available. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438.

Recall number 04V060000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette

Defect investigations

Fuel Tank LeakOpened May 12, 2010, closed September 10, 2010

In its June 30, 2010 response to ODI's Information Request letter, General Motors (GM) identified the leak source as cracks in either the fuel tank cross-over tube quick connector (connector) and/or the hot-plate weld joint of the connector to the tank.The root causes are attributed to errors in connector material processing, variations in the welding process, and high stresses placed on the driver's side connector during vehicle use.GM also identified the scope of the subject vehicles involved to be those produced from approximately October 22, 2003 through March 19, 2004.GM does not believe the cracks represent an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety based on factors that include; low rate of fuel leaking to the ground, detectable fuel odor, the cracks are at the top of the tank, leaks are detectable during refueling, small quantities of fuel that leaks out, and no associated property damage or personal injury claims.On August 13, 2010, GM issued a Special Coverage Adjustment to remedy fuel tank quick connector leaks and extend the warranty for this issue to 10 years or 100,000 miles in certain 2004 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac XLR vehicles.Vehicle owners will be notified by mail of the adjustment and will also be entitled to reimbursement for previously paid repairs covered under the adjustment.(See file for, SERVICE BULLETIN 10150: SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT-FUEL TANK QUICK CONNECTOR LEAK).The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

PE10015

Steering column lockupOpened November 15, 2002, closed March 11, 2004

In 2001, general motors (gm) issued customer service campaigns 1044 and 1044a to address a condition where the steering column would fail to unlock during the initial key-in and start-up in certain my 1998-2000 corvette vehicles.however, odi continued to receive complaints concerning steering column lockup on corvette vehicles.as a result, pe02-054 was opened and later upgraded to ea02-031 for my 1997-2001 subject vehicles.odi's analysis identified concerns with post-repair failures in vehicles serviced through the campaigns, as well as, failures in my 1997-2003 subject vehicles not included in the campaigns.(note: the manufacturer failure data above is limited to my 1997-2003 vehicles through 10/17/2003.)on february 6, 2004, gm notified the federal safety agency of a safety defect in my 1997-2004 corvette vehcles equipped with manual transmissions and my 1997-2000 corvette vehicles with automatic transmissions.the notification stated that if the voltage at the powertrain control module (PCM), which was designed to shut down the fuel supply when the steering column failed to unlock and the customer tried to drive the vehicle, is low or interrupted, the fuel shut off may not occur.as a result, the customer could drive the vehicle while the steering column was locked causing the driver to lose steering control and possibly crash without warning.gm will instruct owners to bring their vehicles to a dealer to have the PCM reprogrammed for manual transmission vehicles and the electric column lock disabled for automatic transmission vehicles.odi will monitor the effectiveness of the remedy in the manual transmission vehicles and take further action if warranted.

EA02031

Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette 480

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 480 bulletins for the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette

2004 Chevrolet Corvette fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
5.7L 8‑cylRWD16-1723-2619-20

What 2004 Chevrolet Corvette owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 1, 2024 · Fuel system · FL

- Fuel tank leaks - gasoline puddles under car, heavy fumes - Fire / explosion hazard - Confirmed by local mechanic as existing problem in that year - Inspected and confirmed by selling dealer - trying to repair - No auto warning, smell of fumes and gas on garage floor day after delivery of car

Filed Apr 17, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · CA

When I start my vehicle, the steering wheel locking system does not disengage and the steering wheel stays locked.

Filed Dec 15, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 30,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle failed to move farther than five feet before the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The pull-out key and wait-ten-seconds message were displayed. The contact had to release the key from the ignition and restart the vehicle. The contact called an independent mechanic and was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed Nov 24, 2023 · Fuel system · TX

A month after I purchased the car with approximately 40k miles, I took the car in for an oil change at the dealership and was told there was a major leak in the left fuel tank and at the crossover tube. This leaking fuel is leaking onto the exhaust. It would cost at least $4,000 to repair. I can not afford this. It is too dangerous to drive. I have no other car. Supposedly, my vin number is 200 numbers away from being included in the recall for the same issue and that you have 43 pages of complaints about. Did I mention that the crossover tube is a backordered part because so many are needed because when you pull the current one out, it breaks and a new one is needed?

Filed Nov 5, 2023 · TX

Strong Fuel smell near the fuel filler when car is parked in the garage.

Filed Sep 4, 2023 · Fuel system · MI

Fuel tank leaking/fumes. Appeara to be crossover tube connection connecting the 2 tanks.

Filed Aug 7, 2023 · Fuel system · 44,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the odor of gasoline was detected by the contact and his wife. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the odor of gasoline was strongest in the cabin after refueling the vehicle to a full tank. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that a cross fill tube needed to be installed. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that the gasoline odor was again detected while driving at various speeds. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Action Number: PE10015 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

Filed Apr 5, 2023 · Fuel system · MO

In 2011 Chevrolet acknowledged an issue with the fuel system as the the attached letter states. I was not the owner of the vehicle in 2011 and since the issue was not elevated to an official recall it did not show up on the car fax report and I thus was unaware of this potential safety hazard. My car has now developed all the symptoms of the fuel tank leak with fumes in the car and gas dripping on the garage floor when parked. Although my car only has 30,000 miles the end date for GM to provide repair was August 11, 2011. The significant risk to passengers, the car, and my home when the car is parked in the attached garage is unacceptable as caused by a faulty engineered fuel modification in this model year. The fuel leak is both a safety and environmental risk and should warrant a recall and GM to mitigate the costs. Their liability for a faulty engineered system should not have a time limit.

Filed Mar 13, 2023 · Fuel system · AZ

Purchased the vehicle in 2015. That same purchased date I filled the vehicle with fuel. The following day my garage was totally covered with gas fumes. No tech could find the problem. On Feb 22 2023 while filling up, gas was pouring out the bottom left side . This is very dangerous. Come to find out that many others have had the same problem. There is a manufacturer defect of the gas tank housing tube . I cannot drive the vehicle because it’s to dangerous and to costly to repair.

Filed Oct 26, 2022 · Fuel system · MA

Drivers side fuel tank/system leak Leaking fuel in this area can/will result in a catastrophic fire which could lead to injury or death The problem just occurred but is a common problem for this generation Z06 Corvette The odd thing is no warning light, check engine light or messages displayed, just the smell of fuel and 18 inch puddle on the floor beneath the drivers side fuel tank. The fuel level according to the gauge is 1/2 tank.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette before you buy

Compare the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette

Corvette vs Ford MustangCorvette vs Chevrolet CamaroCorvette vs Dodge Challenger

Other model years

199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025

Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?

Owners have filed 217 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette, 2.6 times a typical Corvette model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette year score?

The 2004 Chevrolet Corvette scores 41 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Corvette: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 148 complaints, typically around 34,000 miles. Next is steering (36).

How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette have?

2 recalls, covering steering.

What year does the Chevrolet Corvette have the most fuel system problems?

The Chevrolet Corvette model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2008 (374 complaints), 2004 (148 complaints) and 2007 (117 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette get?

Official estimates for the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.7L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 16-17 city and 23-26 highway.

Share your experience with the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2004 Chevrolet Corvette?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN