Hardtop Reliabilty

[JimDianne]

Just wondering what everyone elses experience has been as far reliabilty of your hardtop.
Mine has 25,000 miles and has only two problems.
1. Had fuel sensors replaced(not uncommon).
2. Had the tilt wheel mechanism break. Steering wheel was stuck in the up position.
I did replace the headlight adjustment plugs. That took less than 10 minutes. The dealer let me put the new bezels and plugs on while he filled out the paperwork.
I have not had the oil useage problems others have had with their C5s. I usually change my oil at 25-30% and have yet to add a quart of oil between changes.
I don't drive mine to work everyday. I am an aircraft mechanic. The last thing I want is the inside smelling like jet fuel.

JIm & Dianne McCrosky
1999 Nassua Blue
Museum Delivery
Twin fuel Intake
Soon to be added Corsa Indy Exhaust System.

[fatherlarry]

I have 16,000 miles on mine. No signs of using any oil, but I don't drive it hard.

Replaced the dashboard, because it was bubbling up.:banghead:

Replaced the steering column lock.

Replaced the glove box switch, because it kept killing the battery.

Changed the differential, transmission and brake fluid which is just routine. Also, on a full tank of gas I put the GM gas additive in. Changed the air filter and put an oil magnet plug in. Other than that she's been great. Did the work myself.:)

[Michael Quinn]

I am at 22,000 miles and have had the following problems:

1) Leak in windshield, Fixed
2) Rocking drivers seat, Fixed (but still not perfect)
3) Squeak in dash - drivers side, Fixed but it came back
4) Steering Wheel Replaced, (This was due to the dealer cutting the leather wheel when fixing the seat!)
5) Rear tire replaced by dealer, It went flat from a defect


6) Trunk doesn't pop up enough to get fingers in to open, I haven't taken to dealer yet about this.

I have NOT had any problems with oil consumption, warped rotors, clutch failure, steering wheel lock OR any of the other common problems I have heard about (battery, fuel pumps, oil pump, etc....)

[c5chris]

Im at 12,500 miles now andI took it back to the dealer for the ff. reasons:

1. Tire sensor on right rear tire was malfunctioning. DIC states "service tire mon. sys."
2. Fuel gauge was erratic. Will give me RESERVE warning at 1/2 a tank.
3. Hard to engage to reverse gear. Daaler said just to make it a habit to shift to a forward gear first.
4. Funny sound when you turn off engine. Dealer said this is common to hartops??

Other than those stated above, the car runs fine.

:cool:

[fatherlarry]

Originally posted by c5chris

3. Hard to engage to reverse gear. Daaler said just to make it a habit to shift to a forward gear first.
4. Funny sound when you turn off engine. Dealer said this is common to hartops??

Other than those stated above, the car runs fine.

:cool:

I have the same problem with the above two. It is a common problem, not only for the C5's but going back to C2's and C3's. Especially when the syncros are cold.

[GGs99]

I have 14,000 on my '99 and have had only two problems thus far:

1) Had the dash pad replaced...it was bubbling up in places
2) Strange noise on left bank of engine...sounds like exhaust leak but it isn't. GM claims they have no clue what it is...

[Jem]

My 2000 only has 2017 miles on it and I just got, so no real problems yet. From reading what some of you have to say I can see maybe a have a few.

1-) Trunk opens but my fingers do not fit under to pull it up, can this be adjusted by me or need to bring it top the dealer.

2-) Read about this some where else, After hard accelration and very soft mild bracking the breakes seem to stay slightly engaged, if using cruise control it would not rengage, or I will fill the car decelerate more than normal. I have to pull up on the pedal with the top of my foot and it then returns to normal. Some say a problem that could be fix by changing brake booster and seal any ideas here.

[fatherlarry]

Originally posted by Jem
My 2000 only has 2017 miles on it and I just got, so no real problems yet. From reading what some of you have to say I can see maybe a have a few.

1-) Trunk opens but my fingers do not fit under to pull it up, can this be adjusted by me or need to bring it top the dealer.

2-) Read about this some where else, After hard accelration and very soft mild bracking the breakes seem to stay slightly engaged, if using cruise control it would not rengage, or I will fill the car decelerate more than normal. I have to pull up on the pedal with the top of my foot and it then returns to normal. Some say a problem that could be fix by changing brake booster and seal any ideas here.

Jem,

As far as the trunk problem, I have the same problem on my car. There is an adjustment for it, but I haven't really gotten into to it yet to see what it is. As far as your brakes, I am not quite sure I understand what you mean. It could be a number of things from the way I am understanding. Are you saying that the brake pedal won't come up? And, the calipers are staying closed slightly on the rotors? With the cruise control, are you saying that it doesn't disengage when you step on the brake, as it should? I don't know if you checked it out yet, but we have a technical forum here and Corvette Kotze can help you. Post your problem there. He should be able to answer your question.

[fatherlarry]

Originally posted by Jem
My 2000 only has 2017 miles on it and I just got, so no real problems yet. From reading what some of you have to say I can see maybe a have a few.

1-) Trunk opens but my fingers do not fit under to pull it up, can this be adjusted by me or need to bring it top the dealer.

2-) Read about this some where else, After hard accelration and very soft mild bracking the breakes seem to stay slightly engaged, if using cruise control it would not rengage, or I will fill the car decelerate more than normal. I have to pull up on the pedal with the top of my foot and it then returns to normal. Some say a problem that could be fix by changing brake booster and seal any ideas here.

Jem,

It was bothering me too, about the trunk. I just never got around to it, but today I bought Corsa chrome tips, so I went to put them on. I remembered the trunk when I popped it open to get a rag out. It's an easy fix. On the decklit on each end there are two rubber adjustments. Just keep turning them slightly until there is a little bit more pressure on the trunk when it closes and it should pop up a little higher to get your hand underneath. Don't adjust them too much or the decklit won't line up with the bumper. Add a little lubricant on the end of the rubber adjustments so they won't stick in the summer. There is also another way to adjust it, but try this one. This may help the problem.

[Jem]

Thanks,
DId that on the trunk lid and works great I also lubricated everything and that helped. I posted before, but it did not make, seems to be a problem when I access through my Email. The brake seem to stick slightly after hard accelleration and followed by soft braking. My cruise is ok, but when the brakes stick since my brake lights remain on my cruise will not engage. I will try to post where you suggested. Again thanks.

[sigung86]

37k+, almost daily driver. No probs at all, except right rear tire is making a whirring sound. Probably going to non-runflats when everything is ready to change. Don't like run flat tires anyway.:banghead:

Dan Farmer

[Red Dog]

:guiness: 99 FRC, 21K perfect so far. Just installed new run-flats through Tire Rack.com.
good way to go. Saved $500 over local "Corvette specialists". Also just had steering recall done at local Chevy dealer. They were very polite and efficient. Kept my perfect 99 perfect.

[tscurt]

Got the whole deal in a series:

Battery gave it up on the way home, completely knocking out the engine. Home on flatbed.

Since I have a mildly modded engine, the tuner came to my house because we were thinking at first computer.

Replaced battery, car starts immeidately but we replace computer as a precaution.

Four days later the engine starts to malfunction--replaced TAC.

Three days after that, while in garage, column lock warning goes. Flatbed again down to the dealer.

All seems well now.

[ebonyvette]

So far I had trouble with my left side speaker.

Didn't have a problem with the column lock yet.

I don't drive it much, especially in NY. :banghead:

My seat wobbled. Had to have a new seat mechanism put in.

Other than that it's a great Vette