Electrical and powertrain issues are among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
The 2022 Chevy Corvette is a newer addition to the iconic sports car lineup. This particular model states, “precision is the new perfection.” However, nothing was created precisely with this vehicle, considering it has a defective electrical system and malfunctioning powertrain.
Click on other model years to view more problems: 2019 2020 2023
Powertrain and electrical system problems top the list of complaints made by consumers about the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA). But there are also complaints about the engine, exterior lighting, and lane departure.
The most dangerous electrical system fault mentioned in the complaints is that the frunk (front hood) opens while the luxury sports car is in motion. There are 28 manufacturer communications about electrical system issues on file with the NHTSA, including detailed technical service bulletins (TSBs). But there is no word from the manufacturer (General Motors) about the malfunctioning frunk, despite a recall of 7,071 2020 models for this very issue.
In addition to the transmission of some 2022 Chevy Corvettes “dying,” owners are complaining about fluid puddling under cars and cracked transmission housings. There are also issues relating to missing ball bearings, which have resulted in a recall.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
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Power Train
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Electrical System
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Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
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Engine
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Exterior Lighting
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Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
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Service Brakes
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For the amount of money spent on the Corvette, the electrical system should be nothing less than top-notch, but that’s not the case.
A complaint to the NHTSA filed by a 2022 Chevy Corvette owner from Idaho warns that the sports car “is dangerous and could kill someone on the highway.” This issue, unsurprisingly, is that the frunk or front storage area automatically opens up while driving this car. It also happens while the car is parked in the garage.
The complainant also raises the fact that in 2020, owners of new Corvettes had similar problems with the front hood opening up while driving down the highway. “This could cause a disaster on the highway and many lives (could) be lost in a major accident.”
Another problem this owner mentions is that if you walk past the car or touch it, the car lights start flashing. This “also appears to be an electrical problem with the car.”
Here’s another complaint from a Texas owner that’s worth reading. “Shifting luggage during a left turn caused the remote front trunk safety switch inside the trunk to be depressed and open the front trunk, this was at low speed in my neighborhood, no damage or issues occurred, however if this had happened at higher speeds, the front trunk lid could have caused loss of visibility if the lid had completely opened.”
This isn’t the only issue happening with the safety switches. Service Bulletin #22-NA-052 states that the Door Ajar Message can occur and a DTC can be set for no reason. Imagine the confusion these drivers feel thinking their doors are open when they aren’t. It’s enough to cause a nervous breakdown while heading down the road, certainly not what’s expected from a vehicle that is hailed as the “new perfection.”
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Because of the power of the 2022 Chevy Corvette, a reliable transmission is needed to push that energy onto the road effectively, but this system is just as shoddy.
An owner from Colorado took his Corvette in for an inspection after changing the oil and noticing a greasy substance on the bottom panels. “I was informed by the dealer that a cracked transmission housing up top was spraying the oil out and it was dripping down. The car is 7 months old and the transmission case cracked because of porous metal castings.” He was also told that GM already knows about the issue.
Another NHTSA complaint reads, “Transmission died after only 1400 miles, vehicle is brand new and I’m concerned about the transmission dying after only a few miles on a $110k car, already took it to a Chevy dealer and confirmed it was the transmission and needed to be changed, warranty will cover it this time.”
Plus, there is a transmission-related recall worth mentioning. NHTSA Campaign Number 22V091000 talks about how the rear half-shaft assembly could be missing a ball bearing. If this happens, a loss of drive power could occur, which only leads to a higher instance of an accident. How is it that a car that costs this much gets sent off of the production line without vital pieces? Where were the workers when it was being put together and what happened to quality control? Clearly, the automaker needs to redefine the word “precision,” possibly using something such as inaccuracy instead.
According to the recall notice, General Motors maintains that only 22 vehicles are potentially affected. But regardless of how few Corvettes are affected, the situation is extremely serious.
An owner from New Mexico, who received the recall notification, discovered that the transmission of his sports car had to be replaced. The dealer said that even though no serious incidents had been reported, his car wasn’t safe to drive and he was told to leave it with the dealer. This owner was also told that “this defect could cause a sudden loss of power resulting in loss of control.”
The complaint states: “My vehicle was assembled in December ‘21… 3 months after GM’s discovery of the issue. I believe that the defective transmission issue is more extensive than GM is acknowledging. A replacement transmission was ordered for mine, but none is currently available (back-ordered).” Furthermore, the dealership confirmed that local dealers were “backlogged with transmission work.”
The service rep reluctantly admitted this was the second C8 Corvette transmission they had to replace. “I feel GM should disclose how many defective C8 Corvette transmissions they have replaced and more accurately assess the production dates for affected vehicles.”
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.
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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I have a 2022 corvette 3lt and I have an electrical problem that runs down the battery. The dealership has had the car for a month and a half. They said a rep from the factory would have to look at the car. So far no one has come and I don’t know when they might show up, They have the car sitting outside in the weather which I do not approve of.
I have a 2022 2LT which I purchased in March of 2022. I was asked by AutoNation to have my 1st service performed in September 2022. I had approximately 6000 miles, maybe less. I was never advised I should have my transmission filter changed before 7500 miles. Most dealers advise to have the filter changed on the 1st service. I now have (February 2023) 6500 plus miles and the check engine light goes on. Take it to the dealership and told transmission needs to be replaced. $125k price tag for a vehicle that was hyped to be a precision Super car. I was told no trannys available and GMC or AC Delco will have to provide a new one. I was told it could be a month or more. I don’t know if the filter issue on my first service call would have helped or just bad engineering on GMCs part. We are all trying to support American Made products but, I got say, I have had my 2005 Toyota and have never had a major part go out in the first year, never the less 18 years I’ve owned it. WTF! Now they have tore the back end of my vehicle to remove the tranny, and as far as I’m concerned, the vehicle is now salvaged. Nice looking car but, can I now trust it for long road trips? I was hoping to upgrade and or purchase an additional Z06 or ZR1. I don’t know about that idea.
I purchased my brand new 2023 corvette c8 1lt 4 days ago Friday Jan 27,2023 .After having the car for 2 days , on Monday Jan 30,2023 I was driving at moderately
speed about 10-15mph a engine light came out , out of nowhere and I received a message from myChevrolet immediately that the car has an engine and transmission multifunction or leak I called the dealership immediately and furious and I took the car back with 10min after the incident, which they told my car has transmission problem after spending $97,000 for it , car only had 98 miles , the dealer said they have to call tac before touching my car ,after they scan the car . They said they will be holding my car for a few days until they get back from tac , I kept calling them back there customer service are poor , now it’s basically I have to deal with that problem , I told them it’s either I get a new car or I’ll call GM myself to cancel the deal because I purchased a brand new car not a car with transmission problem which idk if that problem will return back later on.