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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
8%of 48 total for the year
Median mileage
30,670miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 8% of the 48 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,670 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I bought this CORVETTE Z06 used from a private party. The engine had a catastrophic failure due to a known issue with the valve guides and valves in the ls7 motor from the factory. I was driving home from work when the motor failed. I was lucky to be only a mile from home when it failed and I was able to coast into my garage. The exhaust valve dropped and destroyed the #1 piston along with that cylinder, and the engine block. Nothing in the motor is salvageable as it bent or sent metal shards into every part of the motor. …”

NHTSA complaint #10705838, filed 2015-04, 56,000 miles

“The lurch drops to the floor under acceleration, happens from a stop and under most any speed. This causes damage to the clutch causing a strong smell of burnt clutch. Dealers say I am abusing the car even though this happens sometimes under normal driving. When the clutch drops to the floor you can not shift, accurate, of disengage the clutch to prevent damage. ( damaged clutch causes chatter and slippage resulting in the dealer saying the clutch needs to be replaced) after searching the internet I found many people were having this problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10488857, filed 2012-12, 22,000 miles

“Massive engine failure due to a failed exhaust valve after inspection, car lost all power and was immobile after rolling to a stop. The 7 and 8 cylinder on the block were completely ventilated. This is a very common problem with 2006-2011 corvettes and many others have had the same issue.what happens is the head of the exhaust valve falls off and then it makes contact with the piston and takes out the block and piston and rods. Please investigate this as there is several hundred or more z06 equipped with the ls7 motor that has had the same issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #10479492, filed 2012-10, 39,340 miles

“The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet CORVETTE Z06. While driving 70 MPH, the hardtop roof panel flew off. The dealer replaced the roof panel under warranty. While driving 55 MPH, the roof panel flew off again and pushed the headliner down. The vehicle swerved into a curb and all four rims were damaged. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 06v181000 (structure:body:roof and pillars). The failure mileage was 8,000 and current mileage was 18,000. Updated 03/04/08. The rear differential was replaced. Updated”

NHTSA complaint #10217692, filed 2008-02, 8,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200812%
200749%
200648%

Other parts of the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Engine
18 complaintsElectronic stability control
15 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology