2026 Chevrolet Corvette Problems: 7 Known Issues

On the 2023-2026 Chevrolet Corvette, gM recalled 2023-2026 Corvettes built with a left-side radiator/fan combination because excess fuel can spill into the fuel-filler pocket during refueling and drain onto an ignition source. On affected cars the filler pocket sits above the left-side radiator and its cooling fan, so fuel that leaks from the pocket onto the radiator while the fan runs can be drawn through it and vaporized into the engine compartment, where it can reach an ignition source. NHTSA received a complaint from a 2023 owner describing exactly this outcome: as the fuel nozzle was pulled from the vehicle a violent explosion occurred and the owner was immediately engulfed in a fireball. Owner notification letters for recall 25V536000 went out November 14, 2025. Because the recall is keyed to a specific radiator/fan configuration rather than a build date range, VIN lookup is the only reliable way to know whether a given car is included.

On the 2025-2026 Chevrolet Corvette 5.5L LT7 twin-turbo V8, gM issued NHTSA recall 25V536 (GM number N252514930) covering 2025-2026 Corvette ZR1 with the twin-turbo 5.5L LT7 and 2023-2026 Corvette Z06 with the 5.5L LT6, about 23,656 vehicles in total. On these cars excess fuel can spill into the fuel-filler pocket during refueling and drain onto an ignition source - the left-side radiator/fan package unique to the LT6/LT7 cooling layout, whose fans can run even with the engine off, plus hot brake rotors - creating a fire risk. Fitment is defined by that left-side radiator/fan combination: the Corvette Stingray and the E-Ray do not have it and are not covered by this recall. GM also placed a stop-sale on unsold 2025-2026 Z06 and ZR1 units, and only 108 ZR1s were affected in the initial 2025 population.

On the 2025-2026 Chevrolet Corvette 5.5L LT7 twin-turbo V8, gM has placed the 5.5L twin-turbo LT7 in the 2025-2026 Corvette ZR1 - and the naturally aspirated 5.5L LT6 in the 2023-2026 Z06 - on a Technical Assistance Center part restriction, published as #PIP6089 and highlighted in GM TechLink. A part restriction means a dealer cannot simply order a replacement engine: when diagnosing a possible engine failure the technician must gather the information required by PIP6089, including the engine part number stamped on the center of the front cover, and open a case with TAC before an engine is released. GM frames this as continuous improvement, but the stated cause on the restriction is 'possible engine failure,' and the January 2026 update to PIP6089 adds instructions for handling catastrophic failure cases and intake manifold transfer, which indicates real field failures are being worked.

On the 2025-2026 Chevrolet Corvette, a lighting control module software error introduced in October 2024 leaves 2025 and 2026 C8 Corvettes unable to detect and report a failed rear turn signal, which is an FMVSS noncompliance. The driver receives no telltale when a rear turn signal bulb or LED circuit stops working, so the car can be driven indefinitely signaling to nobody behind it. NHTSA identified the consequence as increased crash risk because the driver does not know the signal is out. What began as a quiet dealer stop-sale on roughly 3,300 cars expanded into NHTSA recall 26V213000 covering approximately 32,988 vehicles — effectively the entire 2025 and 2026 C8 population across Stingray, Z06, E-Ray and ZR1 variants. Owner notification is scheduled for May 18, 2026.

On the 2024-2026 Chevrolet Corvette 6.2L LT2 V8, stealth Mode (electric-only driving up to about 45 mph) and Shuttle Mode are the E-Ray's headline hybrid features, and owners frequently report the car refusing to enter them with an 'unavailable' message in the Driver Information Center. GM addressed this first with diagnostic tip #PIC6542 for the 2024 Corvette E-Ray, then superseded it with Bulletin #25-NA-374, 'Stealth and/or Shuttle Modes Unavailable,' covering 2024-2026 E-Ray (and ZR1X) models. In many cases the behavior is by design - the modes are gated by high-voltage battery state of charge, ambient temperature and accessory load - but GM's repeated republishing of the bulletin means a dealer should confirm whether the specific car meets the enabling conditions or has an actual fault before any parts are replaced.

On the 2024-2026 Chevrolet Corvette 6.2L LT2 V8, the E-Ray's front axle is driven by an electric drive unit (RPO HP1) that contains a drive motor disconnect clutch and its actuator; the clutch decouples the front motor at higher speeds and re-engages it for eAWD launch and traction. GM released Bulletin #25-NA-266 covering all 2024-2026 Corvette E-Ray models for an illuminated MIL with DTC P2DE6 set for Drive Motor Clutch Actuator Performance. Because this component exists only in the E-Ray's front electric drive unit, the fault cannot occur on Stingray, Z06 or ZR1. GM has also published Bulletin #24-NA-118 describing available component-level repairs for the HP1 front electric drive unit, indicating the unit is serviceable rather than replace-only.

On the 2024-2026 Chevrolet Corvette 6.2L LT2 V8, on the E-Ray only, the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission carries an auxiliary fluid pump so the gearbox stays pressurized while the car is moving on electric power alone in Stealth or Shuttle mode. GM published Bulletin #25-NA-278 for 2024-2026 Corvette E-Ray models that display a Service Transmission message in the Driver Information Center along with an illuminated Check Engine MIL, with DTC P1955 (Transmission Fluid Pressure Relief Valve Performance) and/or P0867 (Transmission Fluid Pressure Performance) stored in the TCM. GM identifies the cause as auxiliary pump cavitation traced to the transmission pan fluid filter. This condition is specific to the hybrid E-Ray driveline and does not apply to the Stingray, Z06 or ZR1, which have no electric-only drive mode and no auxiliary pump duty cycle of this kind.