2012 Chevrolet Corvette Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe a gasoline smell in the garage or cabin, often after refueling, and some describe fuel leaks from the top of the tank or from pump fittings. Airbag warning lights that come on, flash, or stay on are also common, and several owners report Active Handling or stability control warnings during ordinary driving. Where mileage is given, the fuel complaints range from about 9,000 to 103,000 miles, and some owners say the smell has grown stronger over time.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Gasoline smell in garage or cabin after refueling

   • 27 complaints (48%)
   • median 35,019 mi at 7.4 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe a strong gasoline smell that fills the garage, and in some cases the cabin, especially after refueling or when the tank is about half or more full. Some say the smell was present while the car was parked, and others notice it while stopped or driving. Several owners say no visible leak was found, and some say replacing the gas cap did not stop the smell. Some are concerned about fire or explosion because the car is kept in an attached or enclosed garage. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 9,000 to 103,000 miles, and several describe the smell as strongest after filling the tank.

   What to check: Smell the garage and cabin after refueling and again when the tank is about half full, and check the top of the fuel tank and the filler area for wetness or residue. Ask whether Special Coverage Adjustment 15682 for tank flange and vapor leaks was performed on this VIN, since complaints cite it for this model year.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Sever gas smell occurs sporadically. When this happens, I can't drive with the top up or place vehicle in my garage. It went to chevy the first occurrence and they did not inspect, but did say there was no problem. It has since had another 4 occurrences of gas smell. It is not overflow because the tak was less than 1/2 full 3 of 4 times this happened.”

   NHTSA complaint #11344217, filed 2020-08, 9,000 miles

   “My 2012 Corvette grand sport has an increasingly strong fresh gasoline smell especially after filling up. When I start to slow down and then come to a complete stop the smell begins to permeate the passenger cabin. After reading online forums it appears to be a recurring safety issue/ hazard with the c6 generation Corvette. I do not know what it could be but to smell fresh gasoline is definitely hazardous.”

   NHTSA complaint #11278758, filed 2019-11, 32,700 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light on, flashing, or intermittent

   • 10 complaints (18%)
   • median 12,000 mi at 2.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2012–2022

   Owners describe the airbag warning light coming on and off, sometimes staying on while driving, and some say a dealer could not find a stored code. Some say a loose or unplugged seat connector or a frayed wire was found and repaired, and a connector under the seats was described as a frequent source of a light that returns. A complaint says the passenger airbag was reported disabled when a light passenger sat in the seat, and the dealer said it works only above a certain passenger weight. A complaint says the manufacturer would not state whether the airbag would deploy while the light was on. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 1,200 to 60,500 miles, and some lights came on while driving at 35 to 45 mph.

   What to check: Ask whether the airbag warning light is on and have a shop read stored codes, including any for the seat connector, pretensioner, or occupant detection sensor. Check the connectors under both front seats for looseness or corrosion, and ask whether any repair was documented.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The airbag warning light on the dash comes on for the driver side for no reason while driving the car. My understanding is that when the light is on, the air bag is non-functional. Sometimes, if I adjust the seat forward, backward, up, and down, the light will go off, but no always. I've had the car into the dealer for repair. The repair cost $120 and the problem is not resolved.”

   NHTSA complaint #11348423, filed 2020-08, 11,600 miles

   “The air bag warning light comes on and off at various times. Sometimes it stays on and other times it goes out after a while. If i shut the car off and wait a few then when restarted it goes out Sometimes it stays off other times it comes back on. This appears to be a common problem on this generation Corvette from what I have been reading”

   NHTSA complaint #11418607, filed 2021-05
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel leaks from cracked tank top or pump fittings

   • 16 complaints (29%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe fuel leaks traced to cracks or fractures at the top of the fuel tank or in the pump fittings, including a cracked elbow on the tank cover, a fractured high-pressure fitting, and cracks in the tank itself. Some describe fuel dripping or puddling under the rear of the car, and a complaint says fuel ran into the frame area of the car. Some say the dealer replaced the whole fuel pump assembly, while others say the leak was not resolved or that coverage was refused because the coverage period had ended. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 11,000 to 102,000 miles, and some say the leak was noticed after the car sat or after refueling.

   What to check: Look under the rear of the car and at the top of the fuel tank for fuel residue, puddles, or fresh staining, and check the fuel pump fitting when a shop can lift the car. Ask whether the fuel pump or tank has been replaced, and request any campaign or warranty records for fuel leaks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I fill the gas tank of my 2012 Corvette there is a strong smell of gas in my garage. I have read on several forums that this is a known problem with these corvettes having a leak at the top of the gas tank. This leaking gas can get onto the exhaust and cause a fire.”

   NHTSA complaint #10969934, filed 2017-04, 11,200 miles

   “90 degree elbow on top of fuel hat on drivers side fuel tank cracked and had a bad fuel leak causing an immediate fire hazard in my garage with how combustible fuel is. There were no warning signs just walked into my garage one morning with a very strong smell of gasoline. The issue was dealt with by myself I didn’t have to take it to a mechanic to repair”

   NHTSA complaint #11746939, filed 2026-06
4. 4
   Electronic stability control

   Active Handling stability control warnings

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 36,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe Active Handling or stability warnings appearing on the dash, sometimes with ABS and traction control warnings, and some say the system acted on its own. Reported events include a steering wheel sensor pushed out of its housing, a steering angle sensor that failed, a sudden sideways motion at highway speed, and a locked front brake that led a car off the road in a turn. A complaint says the ABS stayed disabled after an event and would not reset with ignition cycles. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 2,400 to 52,000 miles, and some events happened while backing out or cornering.

   What to check: On a test drive, check that the stability, traction, and ABS warnings stay off and that the traction control button works. Ask whether the steering angle sensor or the steering wheel sensor has been replaced or inspected, and whether ABS was checked after any warning event.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Upon braking to enter a tight left hand turn in the country the dic displayed several warning indicators, ABS and traction control. The right front brake locked up (confirmed by the flat spot on the tire). I began modulating the brakes thinking that I had lost anti-lock brakes, but the right front brake had locked up. This reduced the braking ability of the car causing me to go off the outside of a left hand turn and into a ditch damaging some components of the front end. I was able to return home safely. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10824772, filed 2016-02, 52,000 miles

   “The car only has 2388 miles. Backing straight out the drive way the dash starting displaying service antilock breaks, service traction system, service active handling system. The dash lights from ABS and traction stay on and the traction control control button is disabled.”

   NHTSA complaint #10903490, filed 2016-09, 2,367 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year may want to check for fuel odor in the garage and cabin after refueling, and ask for records of any fuel tank or pump repair or campaign. A pre-purchase check of the airbag warning light, the stability control system, and the steering angle sensor is also a practical step.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 49 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.