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 ↗2021 Chevrolet Corvette powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette have filed 7 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
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Corvette | 10 |
| 2020 Corvette | 5 |
| 2021 Corvette (this page) | 7 |
| 2022 Corvette | 5 |
| 2023 Corvette | 6 |
When does it fail?
Of the 7 powertrain complaints filed for the 2021 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 4 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 7 most recent
At under 3000 miles car started sputtering sporadically and stopped driving while in motion. We were able to get the car home. Tried to start the car back up and it violently surged. Car had no idea what gear it was in. Transmission service now light came on and car sent me an email stating to take it to the dealership. Had car towed to dealer and used tow company they requested me to use..…
Noise from the rear of the vehicle. Took vehicle in to dealership. The determined that it was a left side loose axle nut. This is clearly a safety issue. It may not have been torqued properly at the factory. The vehicle is a 2021 with only 5500 miles. They did the repair/tightened the axle nut and the noise is gone.
At approximately 700 miles, my check engine light came on and the car produced an error message that said "Idle Creep Temporarily Disabled". Soon after that the car would lurch, buck on acceleration, and would only drive in even numbered gears. I felt the car was extremely dangerous and unpredictable to drive in this state since the car was unpredictably bucking and lurching forward and not…
From mile 450 (approx.) forward,my CEL came on more than 5x. along with rear axel alert. In for service numerous times. Cleared codes, flushed solenoid. Replaced transmission/leaks. Actual service invoices are available.
One week ago received a manufacturer OTA update to install in vehicle which I always download. A few days later I drove vehicle to store and turned vehicle off in parking lot for 5 minutes. Upon returning to vehicle, unable to start vehicle. Vehicle display provided message “Battery Low Start Vehicle” but vehicle would not start. Tow company attempted to jump vehicle multiple times but not…
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the transmission warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission filter. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the…
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that an unknown warning light illuminated while driving at an undisclosed speed. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was condensation seen underneath the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the gasket, bolts, and fluid were replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2021 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 2021 Chevrolet Corvette?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 7 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?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 6,846 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/2021/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.