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 ↗2020 Chevrolet Corvette powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain 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 →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Corvette | 11 |
| 2019 Corvette | 10 |
| 2020 Corvette (this page) | 5 |
| 2021 Corvette | 7 |
| 2022 Corvette | 5 |
| 2023 Corvette | 6 |
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 5 powertrain complaints filed for the 2020 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
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 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 service bulletin informs the technician on the running changes to the M1L, M1M and MLH automatic transmission.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a Diagnostic Aid for PicoScope Information and Setup for Transmission Related Concerns.
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 ↗This service bulletin informs the technician on the running changes to the M1L, M1M, MLH automatic transmissions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
At the time of incident the vehicle had 660 miles. Most of the accumulated miles are: 60% street and 40% hiway. I was inspecting the wheels and tire when I spotted a significant amount of grey/black colored grease randomly covering the inner wheel. Upon further inspection I noticed that the grease was splattered on the emergency brake unit, sensors and wiring harness. The grease was isolated to…
The contact owned a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact came to a complete stop at a stop sign. The contact stated that the light turned green, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle started jerking with a rumbling sound coming from the engine compartment. In addition, the engine independently shut off, however the…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2020 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 2020 Chevrolet Corvette?
It's a meaningful issue. 5 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 7,200 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2020/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.