2008 Chevrolet Corvette engine problems

Filed May 8, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · PA

I am a long time Corvette owner and have purchased many through the years. I recently purchased a 2008 Corvette Coupe with only 30k miles, one owner vehicle. Unbelievable to me, I have had to spend over $4,000 the past month replacing the ECM and most notably the Fuel Pump, to relieve the constant Fuel Smell, not to mention the rack and pinion steering gear needs to be replaced, with again, only 30k miles on the vehicle, and that part is discontinued. The failure of the ECM almost cost my wife and I our life when we were coming home to [XXX] from [XXX] . The car completely lost all power on the highway and we almost got railed by traffic. Not a good situation to say the least. I almost had a heart attack. So we had to have it towed and finally made it home, only to find out the next day after a nice ride, my entire garage was overwhelmed with a gas smell that evening which permeated through the whole house. I took notice that GM covered this exact situation with GM Bulletin # xxx back in 2017, so they KNEW there was a problem! My question is, how can GM not cover this NOW. Many 2008 Corvettes are still being bought and sold. I spent over $2800 for this last week! I am asking you and GM to at least cover 50% of this charge. I don't think that is too much to ask. It's much cheaper than having been sued by our family, should me wife and I have not survived that situation on the road, a case I know they would have won. We should definitely be compensated to say the least! Thanks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 23, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · MD

Low beams don't work when the engine gets hot, I was driving the other night at 10pm and the headlights went out. Pitch black and almost wrecked.......This is a know issue..... Fuel pump has small cracks in the top of driver side fuel pump could start fire, and its a know issue....... Heads on the LS7 also know valve issue. It will ruin the motor.....

Filed May 8, 2020 · Engine · IN

All exhaust valves out of specification at 9,500 miles; 6 of 8 intake valve guides out of specification; spent $1,200 for cylinder head removal and reinstall; valve job, new valve guides and assembly.

Filed May 8, 2020 · Engine · 34,000 miles · AZ

That night I was driving on the highway at 70 MPH when the engine blew up because the valve dropped though the 8th cylinder and the car shook all the equipment stopped working and the brake not working well ,I was so scared that the road was very busy , thankfully I drove the car to a safe place,the car make 2008 only 34 k mile ,my car had been repair at chevrolet dealership cost over 16 thousand dollars.

Filed Apr 4, 2020 · Engine · 118,900 miles · AL

2008 corvette with 119000 has a strong odor of gas after filling up over a half of tank, but is showing no leaks. The gas cap is firmly in place and works correctly. I read that I should fill this out because it is a common issue with this model corvette and could be a safety issue. I thought I had bought cheap gas but this has happened again in the last couple of days. I did see a recall letter from chevy but the car is over 10 years old but is under 120,000 miles. I have had it since june of 2018. The vehicle is parked in a garage and the odor is very strong. When the vehicle's gas supply drops below a half a tank, the odor goes away. I first noticed this in the fall of 2019, but have not driven the car very much until this past week. I have had a pot hole issue in dec where a claim was filed but this has nothing to do with that. I was wondering if my vehicle would still be covered at no charge to me by the dealer or another chevy dealership closer to my home? I read where this is a very dangerous issue. I did guess at the sept date I first noticed it but it was on wednesday march 25 that I filled up and smelled it again. Thank you for your assistance.

Filed Mar 30, 2020 · Engine · 32,000 miles · GA

Wear issue is with the valve guides in the cylinder heads. If the issue was not addressed, the hollow, sodium filled exhaust valve could break and destroy the engine. The repairs were made before the car had an engine failure while driving. Mileage on the car was around 32,000.

Filed Mar 18, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 24,000 miles · TX

The vehicle dropped a cylinder head valve and was fixed under original factory warranty in 2012. It was fixed by the dealer using factory parts. It was on the freeway and the motor lost almost all power. I had to get towed. It happened again in 2016 after 20,000 miles and religious oil changes. This car was maintained meticulously. They cylinders were found to be at fault of destroying an exhaust valve both times. Additionally, the number 8 cylinder was found to be consuming oil, which destroyed my catalytic converter. This is all with a vehicle which had under 40,000 miles (within powertrain mileage warranty, but expired duration warranty)

Filed Feb 24, 2020 · Engine · 56,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH smoke emitted from the exhaust of the vehicle. The vehicle lost power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to watson chevrolet located at 625 west auto mall drive, tucson az, 85705, (520)329-4097 to be inspected. The contact was informed that the vehicle experienced engine failure with a connecting rod going through the side of the engine block. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.

Filed Feb 6, 2020 · Engine, Steering · 59,902 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, when "disable ride service control" message was displayed as the steering wheel seized. The contact stated she lost control of the vehicle, spun around and colliding with a parked vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle left the ground as there was no visible skid marks on the roadway. The air bags did deployed. The contact mention that previously the 'service ride control' message displayed as well as 'ignition switch' as vehicle last all power. The contact sustained lower back, whole left side and right knee was injured which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was a total loss. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic as of yet. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,902.

Filed Dec 1, 2019 · Engine · 32,000 miles · FL

While driving on highway in 5th gear #5 exhaust valve dropped into the cylinder going through the piston and causing connecting rod to go through side of the block. Engine seized and caused the car to go into a 65 MPH spin. Luckily this occurred late at night on a open 4 lane highway with little traffic. I nearly clipped an oncoming pickup truck but squeaked by him. The car had 32,000 miles on it but out of warranty because of the years. Total cost for this ls7 replacement cost me 18,000 out of pocket. I hardly even drive the car because I'm afraid of it happening again. I'm reluctant to sell it because of the valve issue happening to potential buyer and them coming after me for the failure. Gm needs to correct this problem before someone gets killed like I could have been that night.