The Lemon Index
2012
20146th generation (C6)
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 17,291 in the U.S. in 2013 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 24 complaints in its first 3 years.
24 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Ford Mustang 1612013 Chevrolet Camaro 642013 Dodge Challenger 112
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette
- Fuel pump15 complaintsmostly at 46,000–54,000 miles (74,000–87,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 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 5,600 and 33,000 miles (9,000–53,000 km) (the middle half of the 21 complaints, of all 24 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
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Chevy sent dealers 1437 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some customers may comment that the vehicle has reduced acceleration at low speed and/or…”?
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 24 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 5K to 33K miles (9K to 53K km) on the car (21 of all 24 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
There is a fuel odor in the cockpit and the exterior of the vehicle. The odor is heavier when the gas tank is over half full. The odor appears stronger when the vehicle is parked.
2013 Chevrolet Corvette owner · NHTSA complaint 10927059
More owner reports
The airbag warning light appears every time I start the car and illuminates randomly while driving.
NHTSA complaint 10609761
Very strong fuel smell from left rear wheel well. Goes away if tank is 1/2 full or less. Afraid to leave in garage overnight because fumes are so bad I'm worried about fire! Vehicle has not been in any accidents or abused.
NHTSA complaint 10927908
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 2013 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 1437 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some customers may comment that the vehicle has reduced acceleration at low speed and/or…
- This informational bulletin provides information on how to inspect the upper valve body to…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Corvette C RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Chevrolet Corvette 2 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$4,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 6.2L 8-cyl, 7.0L 8-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Corvette year. 2013 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-corvette/?y=2013" 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/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Chevrolet Corvette reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
We can't score it: only 17,291 were sold in the U.S. in 2013 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 24 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Corvette problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system (42%), airbags (17%) and body structure (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette get?
17 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Corvette problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,600 and 33,000 miles (9,000–53,000 km) (the middle half of the 21 complaints, of all 24 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2013 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 2013 Chevrolet Corvette have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $4,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette have?
6.2L 8-cyl, 7.0L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Corvette year is better than the 2013?
Nearby, the 2015 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