Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 70/100 (GOOD)

2018 Chevrolet Corvette Reliability Report

The 2018 Chevrolet Corvette rates good for reliability, but its factory aluminum wheels crack or bend at low mileage.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

27.1per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$737

Annual Fuel Cost

$3,650–$4,300

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity60/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs60/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact88/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity87/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Rates above average among 2018 coupes, with cracking wheels and a steering recall as the main concerns, and far fewer complaints than the 2019.

Top Issues to Watch

WHEELS (43)
SERVICE BRAKES (2)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Refresh

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.

2014: Seventh generation (C7) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2015: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2018: This Model Year

2018 is 3 years after the 2015 model year refresh.

Should You Buy the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette?

Reliability is good, and above average among 2018 coupes. Within the Corvette's own scored years it lands in the middle of eight, so it is neither a best year nor a problem year. The 2019 also rates good but rates worse than this year, with 145 complaints against 51 here. Independent repair-cost data puts the model at $737 a year, against $526 for its class.

Wheels are the issue. Factory aluminum wheels crack or bend at low mileage. Cracks form on the inner lip near the tire bead, where they are hard to see, and show up as slow air leaks and tire pressure alerts. Owners report them between 5,700 and 21,000 miles. Bent wheels cause vibration through the steering wheel at highway speed. A cracked wheel can let a tire go flat on the highway. Brake complaints are rare, but one describes a pedal sinking to the floor and ending in a rear-end crash. Federal records list one steering recall.

Inspect all four wheels, inner lips included, and ask whether any were replaced. Owners say GM routinely denies wheel warranty claims. Ask for proof the steering recall was completed.

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

2018 Ford Mustang

Reliability: 65/100

Good

2018 Tesla Model 3

Reliability: 46/100

Mixed

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

1 manufacturer recall issued

Other

HIGH RISK

WHEELS (43)
SERVICE BRAKES (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recall on record

The 2018 Chevrolet Corvette carries 1 recall — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

27.1

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 16.9

LowAvgHigh

Moderate

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

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.

25V1750002025-03-20

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.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2018 Chevrolet Corvette? Check its history first

Wheels problems lead owner complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette, and 1 recall was issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2018 Chevrolet Corvette NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Rollover risk: 0.0%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Not Available)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head/Torso Combo (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Not Available)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Not Available)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Chevrolet CorvetteRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based 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

Corvette

$737

Category Avg

$526

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

Chevrolet Corvette Resale Value

The Chevrolet Corvette is estimated to retain about 72.3% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.

This benchmark covers the Chevrolet Corvette model overall and is not specific to the 2018 model year.

Value Retained: 72.3%
Depreciation: 27.7%
Listings Analyzed: 85

Listings observed in May 2021. This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.

Explore Chevrolet Corvette depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

16–19 MPG

Running cost: $4,400–$5,050/yr

Fuel + repair

13–16 city / 22–25 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2018 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Corvette 6.2L 8-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Manual 7-spd	16	25	19	$3,650
Corvette 6.2L 8-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S8)	15	25	18	$3,850
Corvette 6.2L 8-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Manual 7-spd	15	22	18	$3,850
Corvette 6.2L 8-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S8)	13	23	16	$4,300

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2018 Chevrolet Corvette.

Have each wheel removed and spray soapy water on the inner lip near the bead to find hairline cracks.
Check all four tire pressures after the car sits a few days; a steady drop points to a cracked wheel.
Drive at highway speed and feel for vibration through the steering wheel that suggests bent wheels.
Ask for records of wheel or tire replacements, since GM often denied warranty coverage for damaged wheels.
Press the brake pedal firmly several times; walk away if it goes hard, pulsates, or sinks to the floor.
Inspect the rotors for dark rust bands that stay after braking and check the pads for grooves.
After a wash or rain, make sure the car rolls away freely without a wheel sticking.

2018 Chevrolet Corvette Common Problems by Component

51 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

WHEELS (43)SERVICE BRAKES (2)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)TIRES (1)STEERING (1)POWER TRAIN (1)STRUCTURE (1)

WHEELS

43 complaints

Factory aluminum wheels crack or bend at low mileage, often well under 16,000 miles. Cracks usually form on the inner lip near the tire bead, so they are hard to see and cause slow air leaks that trigger tire pressure alerts. Bent wheels show up as vibration through the steering wheel at highway speed, sometimes on all four corners with no visible damage. A cracked wheel can let a tire go flat on the highway. Grand Sport and Z06 owners report the problem most, and GM routinely denies warranty claims, blaming potholes or impact.

43 complaints total

SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaintsSafety-related

Only two reports exist, and they describe different problems. In one, the pedal turns hard, pulsates, then sinks to the floor without stopping the car, and one of these failures ended in a rear-end crash. The other describes permanent rust bands on the rotors that score and groove the pads. When the rotors get wet, the pads can stick and lock a wheel until the car is rocked free. GM called the rust cosmetic and declined to replace the rotors. No mileage pattern is visible.

2 complaints total1 crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

2024-01-01

Multiple 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 complaint

2019-11-04

I 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 complaint

2019-10-22

TL* 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 complaint

2019-06-25

I 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 complaint

2019-05-05

8-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 complaint

2018-06-01

WHEELS 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.

5,700–21,000 milesCracked wheels leaking air

4,450–15,683 milesBent wheels causing vibration

Best & Worst Chevrolet Corvette Years

Best Chevrolet Corvette Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

Chevrolet Corvette Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Chevrolet Corvette reliability scores by year
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
2026	76/100	Good

Chevrolet Corvette Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026	76/100	-2	Good	0	0
2025	78/100	+7	Good	0	0
2024	71/100	-2	Good	2	18
2023	73/100	+2	Good	1	20
2021	71/100	+4	Good	2	11
2020	67/100	+4	Good	4	31
2019	63/100	-7	Good	1	145
2018(selected)	70/100	—	Good	1	51

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?

Yes, it rates good and is above average among 2018 coupes. Within the Corvette's scored years it sits in the middle of eight. Owners filed 51 complaints, and most concern wheels. Independent repair-cost data shows yearly costs higher than the class average.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette?

Wheels dominate, with 43 of 51 complaints. Factory aluminum wheels crack or bend, causing slow air leaks, tire pressure alerts, or highway vibration. Service brakes draw only two complaints, describing different problems: a pedal that sinks to the floor, and rust on the rotors that scores the pads.

Does the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette have wheel problems?

Yes. Owners report cracked wheels between 5,700 and 21,000 miles and bent wheels between 4,450 and 15,683 miles. Cracks start on the inner lip and are hard to see. Grand Sport and Z06 owners report it most, and owners say GM often denies warranty claims.

Does the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette have any recalls?

Federal recall records list one recall for this model year, in the steering area. Before buying, ask the seller for proof the recall repair was done, or have a dealer check the VIN for open recalls.

How does the 2018 Corvette compare with the 2019?

Both rate good, but the 2018 rates better. The 2019 has 145 complaints against 51 for the 2018, and it also has one recall. Complaints build up with time on the road, yet the newer 2019 already has the larger pile.

Don’t buy a 2018 Chevrolet Corvette without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette does best on recall impact (88/100) and worst on repair costs (60/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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