2003 Chevrolet Corvette Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 13%of 85 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,300miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette, 13% of the 85 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,300 miles.
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.
“Strong smell of gasoline after filling the fuel tank. I do not see any drips or puddles, but the odor is very strong. I do not notice the odor while driving. I can only detect it if the vehicle is parked in the garage. I had the car parked in the garage the day before with a nearly empty tank, and there was no odor. This appears to be a known issue with later VIN 2003 Corvette and all 2004 corvettes.”
NHTSA complaint #10947029, filed 2017-01, 38,600 miles“My car has 45,000 miles. There is a fuel smell coming from the car. I always fill the tank full when I plan on not driving it for a while. If I leave it parked for several months and don't drive it, the fuel tank will be empty when I start it up. The fuel smell appears to be coming from the middle of the car. This has been happening for the last four or five years. I will only park the vehicle in open areas and won't park it in a garage due to fear of build up of gas fumes.”
NHTSA complaint #11253274, filed 2019-09, 45,000 miles“After filling my gas tank I parked the car in the garage and upon waking in the morning there were gas fumes in the garage. I stopped after the first click so there was no overfill situation. This is also not the first time this has happened but the first time I knew of this forum.”
NHTSA complaint #10554064, filed 2013-11, 50,100 miles“I inherited my fathers 2003 Corvette convertible in january of 2017, I have not driven it much and it only has 14000 miles on it. I recently filled it up after about an hour long drive. The day and weeks following my garage has smelled heavily of gas fumes. I recently began doing some research on this topic and found that apparently this is a common problem with this year model Corvette. The online forums I have read point out this could cause a fire while driving as well as create a explosion hazard in your garage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10995024, filed 2017-06, 14,500 miles“I was backing out my driveway and my steering column locked and I could not control the car. I pulled up the emergency brake and stopped the car because I could not control the car. Myself and a neighbor was able to push the car back in the driveway. The computer gave the message ..steering column lock message and then the car would not start anymore...meaning it would crank but just immediately shut off. This is a recall safety problem with this car and chevorlet is aware recall number 4006 a, b, c and special provision policy 05081.”
NHTSA complaint #11006070, filed 2017-07, 153,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or…
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10199281May 25, 2021This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or…
- 10190437Mar 30, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10176607May 8, 2020This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10176310May 8, 2020This Preliminary information communicates the use of Winter grade fuel during the warm months of 2020 and the potential rivability issues that it can cause. The ongoing…
- 10171878Jan 2, 2020This informational bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10137635May 10, 2017This informational bulletin advises of a new fuel injection kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves, and explains how toptier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build up.
- 10114831Nov 15, 2016This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block that have a possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 18% |
| 2024 | 6 | 29% |
| 2023 | 3 | 11% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 3 | 2% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 14 | 13% |
| 2015 | 8 | 12% |
| 2014 | 15 | 24% |
| 2013 | 48 | 59% |
| 2012 | 29 | 52% |
| 2011 | 49 | 58% |
| 2010 | 49 | 58% |
| 2009 | 82 | 54% |
| 2008 | 374 | 69% |
| 2007 | 117 | 34% |
| 2006 | 50 | 14% |
| 2005 | 24 | 5% |
| 2004 | 148 | 68% |
| 2003 | 11 | 13% |
| 2002 | 19 | 12% |
| 2001 | 32 | 16% |
| 2000 | 22 | 8% |
| 1999 | 14 | 5% |
| 1998 | 17 | 4% |
| 1997 | 12 | 8% |
| 1996 | 4 | 9% |
| 1995 | 3 | 9% |
| 1994 | 1 | 3% |
| 1993 | 2 | 9% |
| 1990 | 2 | 6% |
| 1981 | 4 | 67% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
32 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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