Last updated: 2026-03-04
2018 Chevrolet Corvette Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2018 Chevrolet Corvette scores 70/100 ("Good"). With 1 recall and 51 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
2018 is 3 years after the 2015 model year refresh.
Recalls
1
Complaints
51
Complaint Rate
27.1
per 10k sold
Above avgEst. Annual Cost
$737
Above avgMajor Repair Risk
22%
NHTSA Rating
N/A
Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.
Top Issues
1 recall on record
Generation & Refresh (US)
2018 is 3 years after the 2015 model year refresh.
- Year 5 in the Seventh generation (C7) (2014–2019).
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 7th generation Corvette (US).
What this means for buyers
Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.
Seventh generation (C7)
Should You Buy the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette?
The 2018 Chevrolet Corvette scores 70/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory. 2018 is 3 years after the 2015 model year refresh.
Its complaint rate (27.1 per 10k sold) is above the Coupe segment average of 16.9. The most common reports involve wheels and wheels (43).
A pre-purchase inspection is recommended for used examples, with particular attention to wheels and wheels (43). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.
Compared to the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette, which scored 7 points lower.
Pros
- Acceptable reliability score
- Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- Low recall count
Cons
- Above-average repair costs for its class
- Above-average complaint rate for Coupe
- WHEELS complaints dominate (84%)
Compare 2018 Chevrolet Corvette With
Common Problem Categories
Safety
- 1 manufacturer recall issued
Other
- WHEELS (43)
- SERVICE BRAKES (2)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)
- TIRES (1)
- STEERING (1)
- POWER TRAIN (1)
- STRUCTURE (1)
Recall Overview
1
recall on record
The 2018 Chevrolet Corvette has 1 recall on record. This is a low count. Recalls are manufacturer-initiated fixes for safety or compliance issues and are repaired at no cost to the owner at authorized dealerships.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
27.1
per 10k soldSegment avg: 16.9
Safety Incidents
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2018 Chevrolet Corvette Recall Details
1 recall has been issued for the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
STEERING
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
Consequence
A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252497020.
2018 Chevrolet Corvette NHTSA Safety Ratings
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 0.0%
Safety Technologies
Chevrolet Corvette Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3Maintenance rating: 3 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$737
vs $526 avg for midsize cars
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.3
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
22%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
When Buying a Used 2018 Chevrolet Corvette
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- Inspect wheels for cracks or bends, especially inner rims
- Check tire pressure sensors for frequent alerts
- Test drive to detect any vibrations at highway speeds
- Verify if wheels have been replaced or repaired frequently
- Check for any signs of brake pedal issues or unusual braking behavior
- Ensure no visible rust or wear on brake rotors
Check Any 2018 Chevrolet Corvette's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2018 Corvette in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Chevrolet Corvette with a free VIN lookup.
Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.
2018 Chevrolet Corvette Common Problems by Component
51 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
WHEELS
43 complaintsOwners of the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette frequently report issues with cracked and bent wheels, often leading to air pressure loss. Symptoms typically include slow tire leaks and noticeable vibrations while driving, with many complaints occurring at mileage ranges between 2,800 and 25,000 miles. These issues often result in the need for costly wheel replacements, as repairs are generally ineffective. Several owners express concerns about potential safety risks, such as losing control due to sudden tire deflation. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring wheel problems and the associated expenses.
SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners of the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette report issues with the service brakes, including brake failure and rotor rusting. One complaint describes the brakes failing to stop the vehicle, with symptoms such as a hard pedal, a pulsating feel, and the pedal going to the floor, resulting in a rear-end collision. Another complaint mentions permanent rust bands on brake rotors that do not wear off, causing scoring and grooving of brake pads, and leading to the rotors fusing with the pads when wet. This issue is noted from the vehicle's initial use and is described as a safety concern due to the potential for wheel locking. Both issues involve significant safety implications, including loss of control and the need for expensive repairs.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaintMultiple rim cracks due to manufacturing error. General Motors had acknowledged this but not made reimbursement possible nor provided information if defective rims are still being produced. My car was inspected and rim was repaired by a Chevy dealer and confirmed to have a cracked rim in several spots deemed not due to road damage or driver error. Wheel issues can pose an extreme safety threat as a crack in the rim could make the tire unstable thus creating unsafe driving conditions … cracks in rims can be hard to see at all as well
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaintI JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 11-04-2019. THE TRUNK POPS OPEN WHEN I GET IN THE CAR AND SIT DOWN. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WHEN BACKING UP TO PULL OFF AND TURNING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, THE CAR WILL START JERKING AND THERE'S A POPPING SOUND.
TIRES (1 complaints)
TIRES
1 complaintTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN PILOT SUPERSPORT TIRES, SIZE: P285/30Z/R19 94Y (NA) FOR THE FRONT (DOT NUMBER: 4MLW) AND SIZE: 335/25Z 20 (NA) FOR THE REAR (DOT NUMBER: 4M2R). WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS A VIOLENT VIBRATION IN ALL FOUR TIRES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE THREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM EACH TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROGER DEAN CHEVROLET (101 SW PINE ISLAND RD, CAPE CORAL, FL 33991, (239) 574-3326) TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND AT THAT TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,748.
STEERING (1 complaints)
STEERING
1 complaintI ATTENDED A TWO-DAY NCM TRACK EVENT AT VIR IN JUNE 2019. DURING THE SECOND SESSION ON DAY TWO MY 2018 Z06 HAD A POWER STEERING ISSUE. WITHOUT ANY WARNING, I FELT AND HEARD A LOUD THUMP THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AS I APPROACHED TURN 3 FROM NO-NAME, I HAD VERY LITTLE STEERING ABILITY THAT REQUIRED HEAVY HANDED INPUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING ME TO LIFT AND BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM RUNNING OFF THE TRACK. THEN I RECEIVED A DIC MESSAGE ON THE DASH TO 'SERVICE POWER STEERING GEAR.' I COME IN TO LET THE CAR COOL DOWN AND WENT BACK OUT LATER WITH NO ISSUES BUT WAS NOT RUNNING HAS HARD AS BEFORE. THIS POWER STEERING OVERHEATING ISSUE IS VERY CONCERNING WHEN ON THE TRACK APPROACHING A TURN GOING 70 TO 80 MPH. THE OUTSIDE TEMP WAS 90 DEGREES AND THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS RUNNING AROUND 240 DEGREES. THERE IS A GM PRELIMINARY INFORMATION ABOUT REDUCTION IN STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING ON THE TRACK DURING HOT DAYS. BULLETIN NO.: PI1535B DATE: NOV-2017 THAT REQUIRES TO INSTALL A NEW POWER STEERING GEAR COOLING DUCT FOR 2014-2018 CHEVROLET CORVETTE.
POWER TRAIN (1 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
1 complaint8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 'BUCKS' AND 'CLUNKS' DURING ACCELERATION OR DURING UP SHIFTING. IT DOES THIS EITHER IN FULL AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL SHIFTING MODE.
STRUCTURE (1 complaints)
STRUCTURE
1 complaintWHEELS CRACKED AND BENT AT LESS THAN 3500 MILES. KNOWN PROBLEM WITHIN CORVETTE COMMUNITY. GM WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. FRONT BUMPER PAINT PEELING OFF, WHERE THE BUMPER MEETS FENDERS. THIS IS A KNOWN FACTORY DEFECT.
When Do 2018 Chevrolet Corvette Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Chevrolet Corvette Years
Best Chevrolet Corvette Years to Buy
The best Chevrolet Corvette year is 2025 with a reliability score of 78/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2023 (73/100) and 2024 (71/100).
Chevrolet Corvette Years to Avoid
The worst Chevrolet Corvette year is 2019 with a score of 63/100, primarily due to wheels (121) issues.
See full Chevrolet Corvette years-to-avoid analysis →Chevrolet Corvette Reliability Score Trend
Chevrolet Corvette reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 73/100 compared to 67/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 63/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 67/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 78/100 | Good |
Chevrolet Corvette Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette?
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette have?
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette expensive to maintain?
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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