The Lemon Index
201720197th generation (C7)
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 18,789 in the U.S. in 2018 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 45 complaints in its first 3 years.
45 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 Ford Mustang 892018 Chevrolet Camaro 592018 Dodge Challenger 67
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,700 and 17,000 miles (9,200–27,000 km) (the middle half of the 41 complaints, of all 45 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 recall 25V175000 (steering) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Chevy sent dealers 1010 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “18038 - Service Update”?
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 45 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 16K miles (9K to 27K km) on the car (41 of all 45 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
Moving at 55 mph on highway and hit a slight bump in the road causing the rear passenger side rim to crack.
2018 Chevrolet Corvette owner · NHTSA complaint 11221843
More owner reports
While on a road trip noticed a vibration through steering wheel. Took into dealer for diagnosis. All 4 wheels were bent. 2018 Corvette grand sport 4,450 miles.
NHTSA complaint 11256954
4 bent and cracked rims under normal driving conditions. Gm refused to replace under warranty.
NHTSA complaint 11366899
Fixes owners look up most.
From 199 YouTube videos · 84.9M views · 2014–2019 Chevrolet Corvette
What owners say one repair costs on YouTube
Most-watched topics
- Lifters, AFM & cam phasers94K views
All about the C7 Corvette AFM and why its a problemC&S Corvettes · 94K views
Before you buy, watch
The Ultimate C7 Corvette Buyer's Guide!Cars, Costs and Technology · 276K views
Daily Driving a C7 Corvette for 3 Months! (Review, Problems, Etc.)Trawick Garage · 152K views
Should you BUY a sale priced 2019 C7 Corvette Grand Sport or WAIT for the C8?Raiti's Rides · 134K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2018 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 1010 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 18038 - Service Update
- This preliminary informational bulletin provides information regarding the normal characteristic
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Steering · recall issued 2025
The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
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 |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,950–$4,700 (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.
Every Chevrolet Corvette year. 2018 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 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-corvette/?y=2018" 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/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Chevrolet Corvette reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
We can't score it: only 18,789 were sold in the U.S. in 2018 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 45 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Corvette problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are wheels (89%), brakes (4%) and body structure (2%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette have?
1 safety recall (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette get?
16 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Corvette problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,700 and 17,000 miles (9,200–27,000 km) (the middle half of the 41 complaints, of all 45 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2018 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 2018 Chevrolet Corvette have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 2% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette cost in fuel a year?
About $3,950 to $4,700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette have?
6.2L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Corvette year is better than the 2018?
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