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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-CHEVROLET-CORVETTE NHTSA data synced 7 hours ago
2012 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Corvette problems

54 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.8 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Corvette?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
10 reports · fails ~17,498 mi · avg $1,100
moderate
electrical
4 reports · fails ~20,800 mi · avg $850
moderate
lighting
3 reports · fails ~36,318 mi · avg $250
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2012 Corvette's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2012 Corvette?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2012 Corvette · airbags
Air bag light stays on on instrument cluster. Found out thru research on the corvette forum and talking to Chevy dealerships that this is a very common problem.usually fixed by unplugging and cleaning or tie wrapping the connector under the seats.which usually keeps the light…
12/27/2015 · at 20,892 mi · NHTSA ODI #10816324.0 · see airbags pattern →
2012 Corvette · steering
The wire to the starter melts out causing the entire charging system to stop working an drains the battery causing the motor to shut off while driving . Then no power steering or breaks
11/29/2017 · at 60,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11051227.0
2012 Corvette · powertrain Crash
Clutch master cylinder failed causing the car to not be able to disengage clutch with pedal making it extremely dangerous to stop car or remove it from gear. Future attempts to start car with on-star on the phone so they could run diagnostic check remotely failed. 3 attempts to…
10/21/2013 · at 4,600 mi · NHTSA ODI #10548802.0
2012 Corvette · airbags
Air bag warning light would come on and then go off before coming on again and off. Diag. Code b0041,b0065. Diag. Intermittent open circuits to driver's seat pretensioner and side air bag. Found terminal fretting condition in x377. *tr
10/17/2013 · at 14,393 mi · NHTSA ODI #10548252.0 · see airbags pattern →
View all 54 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2012 Chevrolet Corvette? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 11V491000 October 3, 2011

General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet corvette coupe vehicles, manufactured from january 24, 2011, through september 1, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 206, "door locks and door retention components"

The rear hatch could separate in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Gm will notify owners and dealers will replace both rear hatch hinges free of charge. The safety recall began on october 14, 2011. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

Common questions

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette?

On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 10 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 17,498 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 17,498 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Corvette has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 54 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 7 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Chevrolet/Corvette. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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