What 56 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette

I am reporting a safety issue involving the Active Handling/Stability Control system on my 2012 Chevrolet Corvette. After a routine oil change at Grossman Chevrolet in [XXX] on XXX, the “Service Active Handling System” warning appeared. I called the dealership and was told to cycle the ignition several times to reset it, but the warning stayed on. In early XXX, I returned for diagnosis. The dealership determined the steering angle sensor (GM Part 25858802) had failed and needed replacement. I was told the part would be ordered and should arrive in about a week. After weeks with no update, I contacted the dealership. On XXX the customer service representative informed me the part was no longer available from GM. He stated the only option was to disconnect the sensor, which would leave the Active Handling/Stability Control system nonfunctional. I requested the part number and began searching for availability myself. Over the next two weeks, I conducted daily searches across GM parts suppliers, aggregators, and Corvette specialty sources. No new or NOS units were available anywhere. GM has discontinued the part without providing a replacement or superseding part number. This means the federally required stability control system cannot be repaired and the vehicle cannot be returned to safe operating condition. GM has provided no remedy or guidance, leaving owners unable to fix a critical safety component. I request NHTSA investigate GM’s discontinuation of this essential part and determine whether a recall or mandated remedy is necessary. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11747872

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 ODI 11746939

Fuel leak(s) involving filler neck, fuel pump, fuel tank or associated parts in the fuel delivery system at rear of car. Gasoline smells is very strong, when the tank is filled (not overfilling the tank) gasoline puddles under the rear near the driver’s side rear tire. The fumes are so bad that the car cannot be stored in the garage (which is attached to my home). Smell is pervasive even sitting outside. I cannot drive the car for fear of gas landing on the exhaust pipe and starting a fire. I’m [XXX] and probably would not escape the vehicle. I just purchased the car and such a repair is not warranted. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11722682

I purchased a 2012 Corvette from Coast Chevrolet on 1-24-26. This car was supposed to have been inspected for safety issues prior to being listed for sale. Being that this is a reputable General Motors dealership I assumed all safety issues and recalls would have been up to date. I drove the car home about 90 miles and immediately put it in my garage. After about 30 minutes of it being in there I noticed an overwhelming smell of gasoline. I began looking around the car both in the engine bay, underneath etc. I finally found the issue and cause for the smell. It was a leaking gas tank caused by the fuel pump. I did my research on it and found that this was a known widespread, common issue and that a service bulletin was put in place because of it. This is something the dealership should have made sure it was fixed prior to selling the car. I want this issue repaired by the dealership free of charge.

NHTSA ODI 11714166

Recently purchase used car. Very strong a gas smell/fumes in garage whenever fuel is pumped more than 1/2 tank. Concerned over fire or explosion hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11627143

Smelling gas fumes when parked. There were no other indicators of an issue. I took car to dealership, turns out there is a flaw with the fuel system, causing a leak at the top of the tank. Fuel was leaking through a valve and into the inside of the car frame. This issue should be a recall. The dealer would not let me leave with the vehicle due to the severity of the leak/fumes and fear of combustion! This was addressed as TSB Special Coverage Adjustment 15682 Primary Tank Module Flange Fuel and Vapor Leaks. However, my car was out of warranty/out of the range of the TSB, and I had to pay full price for the repair ($3,000 USD). This is a well documented issue on multiple corvette forums including this one: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11586125

Fuel smell coming from gas cap area replaced the gas cap twice. Continue to have strong fuel smells in garage where car is kept. Started about one month ago.

NHTSA ODI 11565258

Strong gas smell after filling gas tank. This is a known issue on these cars and although it can develop at any time they only warranty the problem for 10 years. This creates a fire hazard. The attached service bulletin was just released by GM today: Special Coverage Adjustment 15682 Primary Tank Module Flange Fuel and Vapor Leaks Reference Number: N150682 Release Date: July 2016 Condition Some 2007 to 2009 model year Cadillac XLR and 2007 to 2013 model year Chevrolet Corvette vehicles may have a condition where a fuel odor is detected, fuel droplets appear below the left-hand fuel tank with fuel gauge level above 1/2, or a malfunction indicator lamp illuminates due to a leak path in the left-hand fuel pump module flange. Special Coverage Adjustment This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 120,000 miles (193,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after July 25, 2016, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to July 25, 2016, must be submitted to the Service Contract provider. Correction Dealers are to replace the left hand fuel tank fuel pump module. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

NHTSA ODI 11555615

Purchased my 2012 Corvette Grand Sport used on 06/08/2023 and the first night parked in my garage noticed a seriously strong fuel smell. Have run down to half tank and parked it again and still have the strong smell. Dropped off at my local Chevrolet dealer for inspection. Research shows this is a common issue with this model year. Chevrolet has issued service bulletin15682 for this apparent issue. Mileage is only 66k but the bulletin has a year cap of 10 years from in service date. I am searching for information as to if this has been revised and if my vehicle is still covered.

NHTSA ODI 11526015

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked inside the garage there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. Upon inspection, there was no fuel leak visible inside the garage. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed of a Manufacturer’s Service Campaign that addressed the failed primary fuel tank flange leak, but the Extended Warranty coverage had expired. The failure mileage was 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 11512094

We smelled gasoline from time to time since June of 2022 & could not see any leaks. Approximately October 22 2022 we contacted Premier Chevy Buick GMC in Beatrice Nebraska because the smell was really bad. After they inspected our car they said it had a defective fuel pump that had cracked & it was a known common problem with the Corvettes. They advised that General Motors would repair them at no cost because of a 10 year extended coverage. They then called us the next day to tell us that it would not be covered because it missed the coverage date by 2 months. We contacted Chevrolet and we were told that it could possibly be covered under good will. They sent the dealer paperwork & have been in contact a few times. Today we received a call from Chevrolet advising we would not be paid for the repair. This should have been a safety recall because of the danger! We were never told about the possibility of the fuel pumps cracking. When we picked up the car the dealer advised it would also require a wheel alignment too because the rear suspension had been removed to do the repair.

NHTSA ODI 11495120

The car has a strong smell of gas inside the garage and in the compartment of the vehicle after driving

NHTSA ODI 11488625

Airbag light intermittently comes on and goes off whilst driving. Per GM, they will not say whether the airbag will or will NOT deploy while the light is on. There is a TSB for the issue, but it only last 10 years past the in-service date. When safety is affected, there should be no limit on time to have remedied.

NHTSA ODI 11469913

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle out of storage and starting the vehicle, he noticed that the active handling and traction control error messages were displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 15,800.

NHTSA ODI 11458193

Get a intermittent red air bag light on the dash when driving. Not sure if air bag system is working properly. Would affect safety if the air bag malfunctions. Not inspected by anyone, car is for sale.

NHTSA ODI 11435322

Failure of Active Handling System with onboard computer message to have the system serviced. Other drivers (owner forums) have reported significant safety hazards related to this system failure. Reported issues include system-driven steering and braking actions that lead to mishandling of the car that could put the driver, passengers, other drivers, and property at risk. At this point in time, the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. At this time, the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There have been no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the prior to the failure, which occurred on 8/12/21. Currently, the car is shifting gears hard and the engine is running in a very rough manner.

NHTSA ODI 11428835

Low beam headlights stop working while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11419484

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 ODI 11418607

I HAVE A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM, INSIDE AND OUT SIDE MY CAR WHEN IT IS STATIONIONARY. IT SEEMS TO BE WORST, WHEN I HAVE MORE THAN A HALF TANK OF GAS. THE SMELL OF GAS IS IN MY GARAGE AND INSIDE MY HOME WHEN PARKED INSIDE MY GARAGE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE FREMONT CHEVROLET DEALER AND DROPPED OFF MY CAR TWO WEEKS AGO AT THE DEALER. MY SERVICE ADVISER EDGER SAT IN MY CAR AND SAID TO ME HE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN SIDE MY CAR. EDGER TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO A TEST TO MAKE SURE THE GAS FUEL MODULE WAS THE PROBLEM. THEY DID A TEST AND EDGER TOLD ME THE FUEL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THEY WOULD FIT IT BECAUSE THERE WAS A SAFETY BULLETIN CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND MY VEHICLE FELL UNDER THE GUIDELINES TO BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. TWO WEEKS LATER, MY CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP UNPREPAIRED. THEY TOLD ME THEY ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE PART TO COME IN.

NHTSA ODI 11396383

I HAVE BEGUN TO SMELL FUEL COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL. IT HAS FILLED THE GARAGE WHILE PARKED AND I CAN SMELL IT COMING INTO THE CAR'S INTERIOR WHILE DRIVING. I ONLY HAVE 24,000 MILES ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11373440

SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM ON DISPLAY. WHILE DRIVING THE DAY BEFORE, THE CAR MADE A VERY QUICK MOTION TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH. INVESTIGATION FOUND THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR PUSHED OUT OF IT'S HOUSING AND DANGLING ON THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT UNDER THE DASH. THE POWERED TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL PUSHED THE ASSEMBLY OUT OF PLACE CAUSING THE FAULT. I DISCONNECTED THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER ACTIVATION OF THE ACTIVE HANDLING.

NHTSA ODI 11353532

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 ODI 11348423

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 ODI 11344217

AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK THERE IS A NOTICEABLE SMELL OF GAS THAT'S EXISTS. WHEN GARAGE KEPT THE SMELL FILLS THE ENTIRE GARAGE WITH A GAS SMELL. THE GAS CAP IS FULLY SECURED AND THERE ARE NO NOTICEABLE LEAKS OR PUDDLES ON THE GROUND.

NHTSA ODI 11340281

I WAS IN MY GARAGE, I OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR SAT DOWN AND SECURED THE SEAT BELT. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PRESSING THE START BUTTON BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT TURN OVER. I MADE A SECOND AND THIRD ATTEMPT TO START THE ENGINE TO NO AVAIL. THEN, I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE CAR BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. HAVING NOT OPENED THE WINDOWS, I WAS LOST AS HOW TO GET OUT OF MY CAR. I MADE ONE MORE ATTEMPT TO START THE ENGINE BUT COULD NOT. IN FACT MY INSTRUMENTS WERE DEAD. AS I WAS WITHOUT MY CELL PHONE, I SAT PERPLEXED AT MY PREDICAMENT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I OPERATED THE DRIVE WINDOW DOWN BUTTON BUT NOTHING HAPPEN. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I TRIED THE DRIVER DOOR WINDOW AGAIN AND THE WINDOW OPENED ABOUT INCH. I REPEATED THE PROCESS FOR 10 OR SO MINUTES UNTIL THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS COMPLETELY DOWN. AT THIS JUNCTURE, I WAS ABLE TO CLIMB OUT OF THE DRIVER'S WINDOW TO SAFETY. I THEN REACHED INTO THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE CAR'S HOOD. I DID NOT FIND ANY VISIBLE LOSE CONNECTION. THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS WERE CORRODED. I CLEAN THE POST TERMINALS AND THE CABLE CLAMS. HAVING DONE SO I ATTEMPTED TO ENTER THE CAR BUT THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAVE PURCHASED A NEW AC DELCO BATTERY AND ALL IS WELL. MY ISSUES ARE 1. I HAD NO INDICATION PRIOR TO THE EVENT THAT MY CORVETTE INSTRUMENTS GAVE ME NO INDICATION OF A BATTERY FAILURE OR ANY ALTERNATOR FAILURES. 2. I HAD NO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ACCESS TO THE INSIDE TRUNK RELEASE STRAP FOR DRIVERS DOOR. 3. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE EVEN IF IT IS A RARE EVENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ODI 11322398