This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Chevrolet Corvette powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 10,881 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Corvette | 10 |
| 2013 Corvette | 3 |
| 2014 Corvette | 8 |
| 2015 Corvette (this page) | 18 |
| 2016 Corvette | 11 |
| 2019 Corvette | 10 |
When does it fail?
Of the 18 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 28% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary information communicates Diagnostic aids for a no start or DTC'S following a transmission replacement
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates Diagnostic aids for a no start or DTC'S following a transmission replacement
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 8L90 8-speed automatic transmission in 2015 Corvettes shows a consistent pattern of torque converter and shift quality defects across these 18 complaints. Owners report shuddering and vibration at highway speeds (50–70 mph) or during light acceleration, often described as driving over rumble strips or a washboard road. Cold-start shifts are delayed or sluggish, then engage violently—some owners describe hard downshifts as feeling rear-ended. Several report inability to downshift smoothly from 2nd to 1st at low speeds, creating loss of power on merges and stop-and-go traffic, a safety concern owners cite repeatedly.
Torque converter problems are dominant: shuddering around 1,500 rpm, fluctuating rpms under load, and converter lockup issues in 5th and 6th gears. One owner reports transmission shifting into low gear unpredictably at highway speeds. Dealers initially blamed active fuel management (AFM) and offered transmission fluid flushes with Mobil 1 fluid as a temporary workaround. GM issued TSB 18-NA-355 for shudder during steady-state acceleration, and one owner reports a stator replacement and software update that failed to resolve shifting issues. Owners note warranty limitations and GM's apparent reluctance to address defects systemically; one states GM halted torque converter replacements because no permanent fix was available.
Same Chevrolet Corvette powertrain reports on nearby years: 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Torque converter shudder and vibration
Shuddering, shaking, and vibration during light throttle acceleration at highway speeds (40–80 mph steady-state), or around 1,500 rpm during motion. Sensation compared to driving over rumble strips or rough concrete expansion joints. Fluctuating engine RPMs accompany the event.
When: Begins as early as 5,600 miles; symptoms reported up to 16,100 miles. Typically occurs at highway speeds and light acceleration.
Symptoms owners cite: Shuddering and vibration at 50–70 mph; Sensation like driving over rumble strips or washboard road; Fluctuating engine RPMs; Intermittent shudder every 2–3 seconds at highway speeds; Surging feeling or unintended gear shift sensation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed transmission fluid flush and fill with Mobil1 transmission fluid (temporary workaround). One owner reports stator replacement performed at dealership; symptoms did not resolve. Some dealers offer only fluid changes with no guarantee internal components were not damaged.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued TSB 18-NA-355 for shudder during light throttle acceleration steady-state driving. GM advised transmission flush and refill with upgraded transmission fluid. One owner reports GM halted torque converter replacements due to lack of permanent fix. Dealers initially claimed shudder was normal or related to AFM system.
Cold-start shift delay and hard engagement
Transmission hesitates or shifts slowly when starting from cold (especially morning cold starts), then engages with violent lurch or bang. Shift from reverse to drive severely delayed before banging into gear. Shift from 1st to 2nd gear when cold is near impossible, forcing drivers to skip 2nd and go directly to 3rd.
When: Occurs on cold starts; reported at low mileages (7,500 miles, 12,200 miles, etc.) and persists through warranty period.
Symptoms owners cite: Lazy, slow, or erratic shifts on cold start; Severe delay from reverse to drive, then bang into gear; Violent lurch forward when transmission finally engages; Inability to shift into 2nd gear from 1st when cold; Loss of power momentarily during shift
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers claim behavior is 'normal.' No repairs reported as successful. Transmission fluid flushes performed but symptoms returned.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers stated GM claims this behavior is 'normal.' No factory recalls or systematic fixes documented in complaints.
Hard downshifts and erratic low-speed shifting
Transmission delivers violent downshifts, particularly 2nd-to-1st downshifts at low speeds (under 10 mph), causing car to jerk or lurch forward several feet. Owners compare sensation to being rear-ended. Also reports of transmission slamming into gear after delay, or lurching forward unexpectedly during stop-and-go traffic.
When: Reported across early mileages (7,500 to 16,100 miles); occurs during city driving, parking lot maneuvers, and stop-and-go traffic.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent downshift from 2nd to 1st at speeds under 10 mph; Hard slam into gear after delay during engagement; Car lurches forward several feet; Feels like being rear-ended by another vehicle; Erratic shifting during stop-and-go traffic; Transmission disengages while moving, then slams back into gear
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repairs documented. Transmission fluid flushes and software updates attempted but did not resolve issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers acknowledged this is a known defect. One owner reports GM advised fluid drain-and-flush with Mobil1 as band-aid fix. GM later halted torque converter replacements, kicking issue beyond warranty period.
Transmission overheating and warning lamp
Transmission overheats as a consequence of erratic shifting and internal fluid starvation, illuminating warning lamp. Owners suspect internal fluid starvation is the root cause.
When: Reported at various mileages during normal operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission warning lamp illuminates; Transmission overheating during operation
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repairs documented. GM insider source indicates GM is aware of fluid starvation problem and working on kit to fix internally, but no details provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM insider reported GM is aware of defect and working on internal fluid starvation kit, but has not informed owners of potential dangers. No recall issued.
Transmission stuck in gear or unable to shift
Transmission becomes stuck in a single gear (2nd gear reported) or refuses to shift despite being in drive, forcing driver to downshift manually or work around the issue. One owner reports transmission was replaced at 2,000 miles, then stuck in 2nd at 2,700 miles.
When: Reported at 2,700 miles (after replacement at 2,000 miles).
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission stuck in 2nd gear; Unable to accelerate beyond the stuck gear; Inability to keep up with traffic flow
Repairs/costs cited: One transmission was replaced under warranty at 2,000 miles due to hard shifts and unwanted downshifts to low gear; subsequent transmission failed at 2,700 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No documented response beyond warranty replacement.
Automatic downshift to low gear at highway speeds
Transmission unexpectedly and involuntarily downshifts to low gear during highway driving, nearly bringing car to stop in traffic. Creates immediate safety hazard by severely reducing speed without driver input.
When: Reported at 2,000 miles on first transmission; behavior continued after replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Unwanted downshift to low gear at highway speeds; Car nearly comes to stop in interstate traffic; No driver input triggers downshift
Repairs/costs cited: First transmission replaced at 2,000 miles due to this defect (and hard shifts); replacement transmission then stuck in 2nd gear.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Transmission replaced under warranty; no root-cause fix documented.
Torque converter lockup issues
Transmission fails to properly lock/unlock torque converter in 5th and 6th gears, causing erratic behavior and inability to settle into steady cruising. One owner reports stator replacement (part of torque converter) was attempted without success.
When: Reported during highway cruise conditions.
Symptoms owners cite: Torque converter lockup issues in 5th and 6th gears; Inability to maintain steady cruise
Repairs/costs cited: Stator replacement performed; software update also performed. Neither resolved the problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership performed stator replacement and software update as attempted fixes.
Delay in throttle response during downshift
When driver accelerates while transmission is downshifting (e.g., exiting highway or merging), there is a 2-second delay before power is applied. Creates inability to merge safely into traffic.
When: Reported during highway exit and lane merge situations.
Symptoms owners cite: 2-second delay in power delivery during downshift-and-accelerate; Loss of ability to accelerate on demand during merge
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented.
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I've almost been hit twice pulling into traffic on a city street with this car. Shifting when the transmission is cold into 2nd gear from 1st gear is near impossible and appears to be a known problem based on my internet search. Several times I've pulled into traffic and couldn't shift it into 2nd gear. By then the car is slowing down with traffic bearing down on it and you have to slow down…
Transmission shifts hard between first and second, intermittent shudder every 2 to 3 seconds when driving down road at normal highway speeds coming from transmission
8 speed automatic transmission down shifts at a stop with such force it feels as you have been hit from behind by another car while coming to a stop. Transmission also will not always engage properly and will over rev and slam into gear possibly causing an accident. Transmission at times will disengage while going forward then slam into gear with great force. I was told by a gm insider that gm is…
A8 transmission shudder. Had fluid change at 10305 miles. At 10881 miles problem is now worse than before. Warranty is now expired . Hopefully gm has a remedy for this problem on 2015 corvette. Have owned five corvette. This may be the last one gm needs to stand behind their product.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 Chevrolet Corvette?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 2,000 and 19,300 miles, with the median around 10,881. A quarter of owners report trouble before 2,000; a quarter make it past 19,300. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Chevrolet/Corvette.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.