I am writing regarding my 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 1LT and a very serious safety incident that occurred while driving on the Garden State Parkway. While driving at highway speed under normal conditions, my Corvette suddenly jerked and completely shut off without warning. The vehicle immediately lost power and became undrivable. Because there was no emergency shoulder available, I had no safe place to pull over. I was forced to coast for approximately one to two miles at very low speed while surrounded by fast moving traffic. This created an extremely dangerous situation, and I narrowly avoided multiple collisions before I was finally able to reach the side of an exit ramp. After stopping, I exited the vehicle and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. When I looked underneath the vehicle, there was a large pool of engine oil leaking onto the ground, and I believe I also saw oil on the side of the engine. The car had to be towed, and I was stranded on the side of the highway for hours. I also had to pay around $750 in towing expenses that I had to pay out of pocket. This incident was especially concerning because the vehicle has had multiple problems since I purchased it. These include a bracket rubbing against other components and causing damage, the air conditioning not functioning properly, and an unusually loud belt noise while driving. I purchased this vehicle brand new with the expectation that it would be reliable and safe. Instead, I have experienced repeated issues, culminating in an incident that placed my safety at high risk. I am requesting that General Motors and the dealership thoroughly investigate this vehicle and provide an appropriate resolution. Given the repeated defects and the severity of this highway failure, I am requesting an exchange for another new Corvette. I have several friends who own 2025 and earlier Corvette models and have not experienced these types of issues, which further reinforces my concerns.
NHTSA ODI 11749562