The Lemon Index
200520076th generation (C6)
85 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
- Headlights41 complaintsmostly at 70,000–105,000 miles (112,000–169,000 km)
- Engine stalling24 complaintsmostly at 15,000–42,000 miles (24,000–67,000 km)
- Engine failure9 complaintsmostly at 31,000–36,000 miles (50,000–58,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 413 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,000 and 13,000 miles (4,800–21,000 km) (the middle half of the 75 complaints, of all 85 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V251000 (electrical), 10V172000 (steering) and 09V491000 (body structure) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Is the stability-control light off on a test drive?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Chevy sent dealers 830 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Battery drain check list”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 85 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 13K miles (5K to 21K km) on the car (75 of all 85 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
I have a 2006 Corvette, the service active handling message came on while driving . I carried it to my dealer and they installed a clip in the steering column and charged $130.
2006 Chevrolet Corvette owner · NHTSA complaint 10278790
More owner reports
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 80 mph, the roof separated from the vehicle without warning. It was taken to the dealer who replaced the roof.
NHTSA complaint 10171962
While driving the c6 Corvette with painted roof, the roof flew off, endangering myself and others. That was almost 6 weeks ago and the dealer has not yet provided a fixed roof. The car is un-drivable without a roof.
NHTSA complaint 10162229
Fixes owners look up most.
From 198 YouTube videos · 51.2M views · 2005–2013 Chevrolet Corvette
What owners say one repair costs on YouTube
Most-watched topics
- Windows, doors & mirrors178K views
C6 Corvette power window indexing (how to reset the windows)Gearhead Daily · 105K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter160K views
How To Fix C6 Corvette Stuck In Park Automatic Shifter Won’t Shift! Easy DIYSal's Garage · 92K views · 2 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition128K views
C6 Corvette Won't Start Issues & Some Of The Fixes For ThemA Skilled Life! · 70K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service95K views
Corvette C6 Oil ChangeCorvette · 95K views
Before you buy, watch
The Ultimate C6 Corvette Buyer's Guide!Cars, Costs and Technology · 652K views
2005-2013 Chevy Corvette C6 ULTIMATE Buyers GuideHakosan · 390K views
C6 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Which years are the best? (2005-2013)C&S Corvettes · 381K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2006 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 830 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Battery drain check list
- Water leak passenger floor or electrical center
- Flare and or harsh 2-3 shifts
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC) housing can expand and cause the headlamp low beam relay control circuit wire to bend.
- Steering · recall issued 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 2004 AND JANUARY 2006 EQUIPPED WITH A TILT AND TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN (RPO N37).
- Body structure · recall issued 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2007 CORVETTE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A REMOVABLE ROOF AND MODEL YEAR 2006 AND 2007 CORVETTE Z06 VEHICLES.
Show all 5 recalls
- Body structure · recall issued 2006
ON CERTAIN 2005-2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTES EQUIPPED WITH PAINTED ROOFS, THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE ROOF PANEL AND THE FRAME MAY SEPARATE.
- Steering · recall issued 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Corvette recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedSimultaneous loss of low-beam headlights2013–2014
- ClosedLoss of low beam headlights2013
- ClosedElectronic stability control2009–2010
- ClosedElectronic stability control malfunction2008–2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,950–$4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 6.0L 8-cyl, 7.0L 8-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Corvette year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 3 older years (1997–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 22 Chevrolet Corvette years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-corvette/?y=2006" title="Chevrolet Corvette reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="629" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-corvette/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Chevrolet Corvette reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 4 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 369; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Corvette year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2021.
What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Corvette problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (55%), stability control (16%) and electrical (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette have?
5 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Corvette problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,000 and 13,000 miles (4,800–21,000 km) (the middle half of the 75 complaints, of all 85 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2006 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 5% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette cost in fuel a year?
About $3,950 to $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette have?
6.0L 8-cyl, 7.0L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Corvette year is better than the 2006?
Nearby, the 2008 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2021 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works