Wrench.Pro

2013 Chevrolet Corvette Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2013 Chevrolet Corvette has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rear wheel cracking and air loss.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette.

Reported to NHTSA

Rear wheel cracking and air loss

WHEELS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-06 → 2021-02

“THREE WHEELS HAVE CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE 2 ORIGINAL 20 INCH REAR WHEELS INSTALLED BY GENERAL MOTORS CRACKED, LEAKED AIR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11391073
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TPMS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE "REAR TIRE LOW" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11280337
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED AT DISCOUNT TIRE TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TWO REAR OEM WHEELS HAD HAIRLINE FRACTURES ON THE INSIDE BARRELS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11139162

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Center console area overheating during driving

STRUCTURE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2014-05 → 2015-02

“AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (30 TO 60 MINUTES), THE CENTER CONSOLE AREA IS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10683678
“CENTER CONSOLE ON 2013 CORVETTE GRAND SPORT GRAND GETS VERY HOT WHEN DRIVING MORE THAN HALF HOUR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10620798
“WHILE ON VACATION FROM MICHIGAN TO MONTANA TO CALIFORNIA BACK TO MICHIGAN VIA ROUTE 66 I ENCOUNTERED A REAR INTERIOR EXCESSIVE OVERHEATING PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10592326

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump module leak and fuel odor

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

49 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2026-05

“Strong smell of fuel after parking the car in the garage. Inspection by the dealership confirmed the fuel pump assembly is leaking. The car was left for replacement of the fuel pump assembly due to the strong possibility of fire”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11665801
“The car has yet to be inspected by a dealer. However, there is a strong odor of fuel, in the garage by the driver side of the vehicle. This has occurred on multiple occasions even when tank not at full capacity”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11507334
“The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact received a TSB from the Manufacturer under Special Coverage Adjustment: 15682 (Primary Tank Module Flange Fuel and Vapor Leaks)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11433110

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light illuminates intermittently

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2014-05 → 2023-01

“Passenger side air bag module will not arm the air bag system when any person sits in the seat. Have made multiple attempts to purchase the air bag presence module since June of 2022”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11501800
“Airbag light in the dashboard goes on and off intermittently. There is a lot of talk on the corvette forum of other people having the same issue. I'm concerned the airbag won't work if it's needed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11480397
“THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AT STARTUP AND STAYS ON. JIGGLING THE YELLOW CONNECTOR UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT WILL MAKE IT GO OFF SOMETIMES. THE CAR HAS AN EASY ENTRY FEATURE THAT SOMEHOW DISRUPTS THE YELLOW CONNECTOR UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SEAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11025163

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

LS7 engine valve guide wear and dropped valve

ENGINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-04 → 2022-01

“I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE CAUSING MY NEARLY NEW VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AND STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11319781
“ON WEDNESDAY, 09/04/19 WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE VALVE DROPPED IN CYLINDER #2 WHICH RESULTED IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT WATSON CHEVROLET WITH A COMPLETELY FAILED MOTOR AND HAVE BEEN PROVIDED AN ESTIMATED $20,000 IN REPAIRS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11256541
“2013 CHEVY CORVETTE VALVE GUIDE OUT OF SPEC AFTER 4000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10992416

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

Silverado 4WD and Tahoe 4WD: replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles, sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

7 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

0

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →