The factory supplied OEM GM wheels on this vehicle are cracking in the rims. This is not due to striking any road hazards whatsoever, there is simply a manufacturing defect within the wheel itself. My vehicle is a 2015, but only has 23000 miles on it. My rear left tire developed an air leak which was the initial hint that something was wrong. The crack was confirmed as the cause by my auto shop.…
2015 Chevrolet Corvette wheels problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $400 · see wheels across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$400
When does it fail?
Of the 12 wheels 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
Wheels accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2015 Corvette buyers should expect chronic rear wheel rim cracking at low mileage—a known manufacturing defect GM refuses to cover under warranty. Replacement wheels will cost you $1,100+ out of pocket, and the same defect may recur with new OEM wheels; budget for forged aftermarket replacements for peace of mind.
The dominant complaint across these 12 narratives is rear wheel rim cracking on 2015 Corvettes, particularly Z06 and ZR1 models. Cracks appear at the inside bead seal area of cast wheels and develop at low mileage—13,500 to 40,000 miles—without any documented impact or pothole strike. Multiple owners report the same failure mode across different wheels on the same vehicle. Cracks cause air leaks that trigger tire pressure warnings, sometimes resulting in rapid pressure loss at highway speeds. Owners have had wheels welded as a temporary fix, but all question the structural integrity of repaired rims.
GM acknowledges this as a known, widespread issue with cast Chinese-made wheels but refuses warranty coverage, instead blaming road conditions. The company offers discounted wheel replacement ($1,100+ for rear pair) but provides no assurance the defect won't recur. Many owners are replacing OEM wheels with aftermarket forged monoblock units at full expense.
A secondary complaint involves factory summer-only run-flat tires on Z-51 models. These Michelin tires lose traction below 40°F and are unsuitable for wet or snowy driving, yet Chevrolet offers no all-season alternative and provides no guidance to buyers about seasonal limitations.
Both issues represent unresolved safety concerns that owners believe warrant recalls.
Same Chevrolet Corvette wheels reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Rear wheel rim cracks at bead seal area
Cast wheels manufactured in China are cracking at the tire bead seal on the inside rim. Cracks typically initiate at the outer edge and propagate toward the center. The defect occurs regardless of road conditions—owners report cracks on interstate-quality roads and city streets with no pothole strikes. The problem is acknowledged by GM as a known issue with cast wheels on Z06 and ZR1 models.
When: Low mileage: 13,466 miles, 15,600 miles, 23,000 miles, 24,000 miles, 30,000 miles, 40,000 miles reported across complainants
Symptoms owners cite: Low tire pressure warning light activation; Rapid air loss at freeway speeds; Visible cracks on inside rim at bead seal; Air leaks detected during tire service; Multiple wheels affected (up to 3 rear wheels on one vehicle)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report wheels welded as temporary fix, but structural integrity remains suspect. Replacement OEM wheels: $1,100 offered for rear pair (owner responsibility). Many owners replacing with aftermarket forged monoblock wheels at their own expense due to loss of confidence in GM wheels.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM refuses warranty coverage; dealer cites poor road conditions as cause despite complaints showing normal driving. GM Corvette Chief Engineer allegedly posted information on Corvette forums acknowledging the issue but claiming wheels will only crack if exposed to bumps or potholes. No recall issued. GM closed complaint when owner declined discounted wheel purchase offer.
Summer-only run-flat tires inappropriate for all-season use
Factory-supplied Michelin run-flat tires on 2015 Z-51 models are summer-only compound and lose traction significantly below 40°F. No all-season run-flat alternatives exist from Michelin or other manufacturers in the required size. Owners note the tires are unsuitable for wet or snowy conditions, creating safety risk for drivers unaware of this limitation.
When: Factory installation
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of traction in temperatures below 40°F; Poor wet weather performance; Poor snow performance
Repairs/costs cited: No manufacturer-offered solution. Owners must purchase replacement tires at their own expense.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet offers no solution and ignores the problem. Used car buyers may not be aware of the tire type or associated safety constraints.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet corvette. While the contact was having tires installed at bill stasek Chevrolet (700 w dundee rd, wheeling, il), he was informed that all the rims were cracked and the rear passenger wheel was leaking. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 13,466.
2015 z06 corvette cracked 3 rear wheels (20" diameter). One at 24,000 miles, one at 30,000 miles and one at 40,000 miles. Car is only driven to work on interstate quality roads. No in town driving. All wheel cracked on the inside. The cracks started at the outer edge, down the rim, then toward the center of the wheel. When the crack propagated past the outer bead of the tire, the wheel…
When I took the car into a discount tire store to have new tires put on the back at about 15,600 miles on the car cracks were found on the inside rim where tire bead seals of both back wheels. Problem was immediately reported to dealer who verified cracks, but dealer and gm refused to replace unless I purchase new wheels for discounted price of $1,100.00 for rear wheels only. Spoke with…
I currently have a cracked but now welded rim that is off my 2015 Z06 Corvette. This rim is cracked due to a manufacture defect. This is now a known issue and yet to be resolved but this is definitely a safety issue when driving down the road.
Had wheels 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 wheels problem on the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $400 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most wheels failures cluster between 15,600 and 25,000 miles, with the median around 22,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,600; a quarter make it past 25,000. 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 $400 for wheels 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 wheels?
No active recalls currently cover wheels 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.