C7 Corvette Years To Avoid

The 2014 to 2019 Corvettes are the seventh-generation models, which are codenamed C7. These models are much newer and packed a ton of newer technologies and safety systems that are required of modern vehicles. C7 Corvettes are well crafted – the body designs are appealing and blend perfectly, and the engine gives you a lot of power.

But, are there certain C7 Corvette years to avoid? These include the 2015, 2016, and 2017 models. Why? These models have an incredibly high number of complaints by drivers and people who owned them. They are ranked the worst due to poor reliability, high frequency of repairs, and high cost of maintenance.

C7 Corvette Overview

Chevy’s Corvette series has come a long way; they are among the oldest supercars in the market, and currently the only supercar model from an American automaker. Performance-wise, Corvettes are powerful – they provide you with the right amount of power to take on speedy adventures, and they are well-balanced to give you a smooth riding experience.

The C7 Corvettes came with three engine options and three transmissions options: 6.2L LT1 V8, 6.2L LT4 supercharged V8 (Z06), and 6.2 L LT5 supercharged V8 (ZR1) paired to a 7-speed Tremec TR-6070 manual, 6-speed GM 6L80 automatic (2014), or 8-speed GM 8L90 automatic transmission. C7 Corvettes produce an average of 455 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of appearance and build, the C7 Corvettes were a great update to the C6 and C5 models, but they weren’t perfect, and as such, some model years should be avoided.

C7 Corvette Years To Avoid

The Chevrolet Corvette C7 was produced across six model years; the production started in July 2013 for the 2014 model year and ended after the 2019 Corvette Stingray. C7 Corvettes are the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2018 models; out of these models, the 2015, 2016, and 2017 models are considered the worst on the list.

Of course, these model years are not called the worst based on sentiments, our stance is based on the owners’ reports and verifiable data from trusted auto-review websites. Thus, we have explained the common issues reported for these worst C7 Corvette models. Meanwhile, you should be of these model years when buying a used C7 Corvette.

Common Problems of C7 Corvettes

1. Transmission Faults

Transmission problems were the most reported issues with C7 Corvettes. Indicated issues include jerking while changing gears, the gear lever getting stuck in “Park,” and fatal transmission failures requiring the system to be completely replaced. These transmission issues are more common on the 2015 and 2016 C7 Corvettes.

The average cost of fixing C7 Corvette transmission problems is $5,600, and these issues are alleged to occur before 45,000 miles. If you’ve ever driven a car with a hard shifting transmission, you’d definitely not want to experience such a thing again; hence, you should avoid the 2015 and 2016 C7 Corvettes because they typically have transmission shifting issues.

2. Wheel and Steering Faults

The wheels and steering go hand-in-hand and work together with other components of the drivetrain, including the shafts and axles. C7 Corvettes are linked with cracked or bent rim problems, which allegedly occurred before 20,000 miles. This is a situation where the rims get distorted, causing the wheels/tires not to rotate smoothly – even on plain ground.

Driving with broken rims can be stressful, as you’d have to struggle to keep the car balanced and in position on the tarmacs. Another wheel-related issue reported on C7 Corvette is “front-end shaking when the car is turned.” This is a situation whereby the car vibrates when you try to turn the car.

The average cost of fixing these steering and rim issues is $900, and the problems were more recorded for the 2017 model year. Asides from cracked rims making driving uncomfortable and fun as it should be, they are also an “eye saw,” denting the appearance of your luxury supercar.

3. Paint and Body Problems

Here’s another common fault reported for the seventh-gen Chevrolet Corvettes, mainly the 2015 and 2016 models. It is alleged that these indicated Corvettes start having distorted paint finish after a few miles – around 11,000 miles. Highlighted issues include paint bubbles and rooftop cracks. The average cost of fixing these faults is $600, depending on a variety of factors.

What are the Best C7 Corvette Years to Buy?

We’ve talked about the worst years to avoid, and now let’s mention the best years to buy. The seventh-gen Corvettes are not entirely bad – they are still among the best luxury supercars to buy right now. But then, you should consider these particular model years, because they are more reliable:

• 2014 C7 Corvette
• 2018 C7 Corvette
• 2019 C7 Corvette

These three model years are aesthetically appealing, well-powered, and rated high in terms of predicted reliability. Whether you’re going to buy a brand new C7 Corvette model or a used one, make your choice from these three model years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which C7 Corvette is Best?

Based on performance and build, the C7 ZR1 takes the badge of the “Best” C7 model. This little beast puts out a whopping 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet of torque, that’s incredible and practically unbeatable by any other Corvette in existence. Asides from being the best, the C7 ZR is also the fastest Corvette ever.

How Reliable are C7 Corvettes?

Generally, Corvettes are reliable – if you maintain them very well, you’re sure to have them stick around for up to a decade or more. Also, the LS V8 engines are robust and do a good job of powering Corvettes to run at incredible speeds.

What Corvette was Faster than a Ferrari?

Corvettes are daring fast; if you can drive at top speeds, you’d definitely enjoy driving a Corvette. It may also interest you to know that some Corvette models run faster than their benchmark alternatives from other notable brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, and others. Particularly, the Corvette Z06 beats Ferrari 458 in a straight line, after reaching 60mph in just 2.6 seconds and a quarter mile at 10.5 seconds – driving at a maximum speed of 131 mph.