2018 Chevrolet Corvette Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Updated on August 25th, 2023 Author: Brian Jones

The newest models of the Corvette suggest that drivers want to “Open the door to a new Chevy,” but we aren’t sure that’s accurate. After all, once people see all the problems the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette comes with, it’s possible that they will want to run the other way instead. Between faulty wheels, defective brakes and a finicky powertrain, a lot is lacking in GM’s iconic sports car. They surely don’t make them like they used to.

Click on other model years to view more problems: 2019   2020   2022   2023

NHTSA Complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette

Wheels

The wheels hold the tires, which are the only part of your car that touches the road. They are a vital safety feature that you rely on. When they aren’t operating properly, you are in danger and should be concerned. Unfortunately, many Corvette drivers experience trouble with the wheels that put them in harm’s way.

Read what this owner wrote on Edmunds. “When I experienced the SEVERE WHEEL HOPPING at parking lot speeds, in HARD RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS, I thought something was wrong. When I took the car back to the dealership at that time they printed the aforementioned GM BULLETIN, which says it’s NORMAL. I started a LEMON LAW with GM and was told ITS NORMAL; I contacted an Attorney.”

Surprisingly, GM has remained quiet about this problem. Apparently, they don’t want the liability. The only wheel trouble they’ve been willing to discuss comes through Service Bulletin #17-NA-271. It talks about a clicking noise that occurs during slow speeds. They claim it is caused by the wheel mounting face and wheel mounting surfaces on the brake rotor. The only fix they offer is to clean both mounting surfaces. These are the tribal concerns they are dealing with while cars are rolling down the streets while bouncing. Their priorities might be backward slightly.

Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2018 Chevy Corvette Air Bag Problems:

HI, I HAVE A 2018 CORVETTE (GRAND SPORT). I HAVE APROX 8000 MILES AND BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE TO A LOCAL GM DEALER. THEY TOLD ME ONE OF MY REAR WHEELS IS BENT. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THEY CAN’T GET ME A REPLACEMENT (THEY DON’T KNOW WHY) AND MY CAR HAS BEEN THERE FOR TWO WEEKS. I HAVE A CASE OPEN WITH GM, BUT SO FAR HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY HELP FROM THEM. I AM SHOCKED THAT MY WHEEL IS BENT AS THERE ARE NO POT HOLES AROUND AND I ONLY DRIVE AROUND TOWN AND DO NOT RACE OR EVER RAN OVER ANYTHING, ETC. I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF OTHER CORVETTE OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR WHEELS BENT OR CRACKED AS WELL, SO FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I FELT THE NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS. THANK YOU.

AFTER DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS CITY AND HIGHWAY I NOTICED MY TIRE PRESSURE TO BE DROPPING AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE WHEEL/RIM WAS CRACKED.

TWO SEPARATE WHEELS HAVE NOW CRACKED OR WARPED ON THE VEHICLE AT NO FAULT OF MY OWN. THIS IS HAPPENING IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (COMMUTING) WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT, SEVERE POT-HOLES, OR IMPACT DAMAGE. IT APPEARS THAT GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR SOME TIME, AS THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT “THAT’S JUST THE WAY THESE CARS ARE, EXPECT TO REPLACE A LOT OF RIMS”. WHEN IT HAPPENS, YOU CAN EITHER GRADUALLY OR SUDDENLY LOSE COMPLETE AIR PRESSURE IN YOUR WHEEL. THAT IS DANGEROUS. MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 10K MILES WITH TWO CRACKED RIMS. COST $800 EACH, AND GM REFUSES TO COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY.

Brakes

While discussing safety features, it’s vital that we also look at some problems with the brakes. After all, when the wheels feel out of control, you want to know that the brakes will still stop you. That’s not the case for many Corvette owners. The brakes aren’t making noise or wearing out too fast, but are downright failing. This leads to accidents and is something that needs to be fixed.

One person wrote on the NHTSA website, “The brakes have now four times failed to stop the vehicle. When pressed they get hard then go down to the floor and there’s a pulsating feeling. The vehicle just continues to go to the floor. On the third occasion that it happened, the vehicle in a non-emergency situation, would not stop in traffic and rear-ended another vehicle. It is dangerous and GM is no help.”

Again, the automaker remains silent on this situation. All they wanted to discuss was a condition that causes the brake pads to freeze to the rotors in Service Bulletin #17-NA-239. They talk about the brakes lightly binding or providing a light clunk when someone tries to move the car after it rained or went through a car wash. They claim it’s normal in high-performance brake pads and shouldn’t affect operation. The only solution offered is to clean the brakes and keep it out of the rain. If you wanted to drive in the rain, you might just be out of luck.

Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2018 Chevy Corvette Brake Problems:

TWO BRAKE ROTORS ON 2018 CORVETTE GRAND SPORT HAVE PERMANENT RUST BANDS THAT DO NOT WEAR OFF UNDER BRAKING. THEY ARE SCORING AND GROOVING THE BRAKE PADS INSTEAD. GM BLAMES THE DEALER FOR POOR MAINTENANCE BUT NEITHER WILL REPLACE BECAUSE THEY SAY IT’S ONLY “COSMETIC” ACCORDING TO THEM. THEY DID ADVISE ME TO REPLACE THE ROTORS MYSELF AT A COST OF $4000 ON A BRAND NEW CAR! IT HAS HAD THE BAND SINCE DAY 1! WHEN THE CAR IS WASHED OR THE ROTOR GETS WET IT FUSES TO THE PADS AND LOCKS THE WHEEL. YOU HAVE TO ROCK THE CAR GET IT TO BREAK LOOSE. THEY KEEP REFERENCING A GM SERVICE BULLETIN THAT PROHIBITS DEALERS FROM REPLACING OR RESURFACING RUSTED ROTORS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL SURFACE RUST. IT IS PERMANENT AND IS COMPROMISING THE BRAKE PADS! THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN.

Powertrain

The 2018 Chevrolet Corvette is meant to be a high-powered sports car. It’s been around since before the beginning of time and has earned a strong following for durability and reliability. That was the case until recently when the automaker decided to skimp on the powertrain. Now, it just leads to trouble and is causing enthusiasts to jump ship.

You might think they would also be quiet about the transmission issues, but to our surprise, they have some things to say. In Service Bulletin #19-NA-073 they discuss instances where it’s difficult to shift into gear, experiences intermittent gear pop out or mushy shifts. The cause goes to a misadjusted shifter linkage. Technicians are instructed to fix it by realigning the shifter assembly neutral position properly.

What have we learned today? Probably the biggest lesson is that new Corvettes aren’t made like they once were. Between bouncy wheels, brakes that don’t work and a bucking transmission, most people aren’t prepared for this kind of ride. What’s more alarming is how the automaker doesn’t seem to be concerned about much. It’s possible that the Corvette won’t continue to achieve success until they decide to revert back to the time when they cared about the parts that are installed. We wonder how many people are jumping over to the Mustang in order to quench the desire for speed.

Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2018 Chevy Corvette Transmission Problems:

8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION “BUCKS” AND “CLUNKS” DURING ACCELERATION OR DURING UP SHIFTING. IT DOES THIS EITHER IN FULL AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL SHIFTING MODE.

Your Lemon Law Legal Rights

Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Chevrolet pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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