This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
.The internet (Youtube and Corvette Forum) is full of horror stories about the engine valves breaking and dropping into the engine causing a catastrophic engine failure without warning. I was paranoid about driving the car for fear of an engine failure and averting an accident. After reading a plethora of horror stories about numerous LS7, 427 engine failures I felt anxious about driving my car and wanted to fix my engine ASAP and not a moment to soon!!!! I took my car to a shop to determine the condition of the valves and one intake had extensive play in the valve guide -.012" wobble from side to side vs a factory spec of.003". They didn-€™t check the other head but assuming the worse. I just have my heads refurbed at with only 6k miles on my vehicle. This resulted in me spending $5,350 dollar to remedy the defect before the engine failed and potentially causing an accident.........this problem seems to be a manufactory defect potentially common to all 427/LS7s built between 2006 and 2013!!!!!
I experienced a total engine failure causing my nearly new vehicle to suddenly lose power and stop in the middle of a busy intersection nearly causing an accident. After having it towed back to the dealer I was told that there was some kind of failure dealing with the valves inside of the engine which caused metal fragments to be present in the oil, causing the engine to seize. I was shown a container which held some of the oil inside my engine and you could clearly see metal particles. They had to replace the entire engine.
We purchased the car in July of 2018 from Arizona specialty motors with approximately 14,500 miles. We used the car as a 3rd vehicle/recreational driver since purchase. On Monday, 09/02/19 we were driving back from mt. Lemmon, AZ and the car quit running at approximately 18,500 miles halfway down the mountain on our return. Fortunately there was a pullout where we were able to bring the car to a stop although we had no power, otherwise we could have driven or pushed over the cliff. We had to have the car towed back and took it to watson Chevrolet in tucson, AZ. On Wednesday, 09/04/19 we were informed that the valve dropped in cylinder #2 which resulted in catastrophic engine failure. The car is currently sitting at watson Chevrolet with a completely failed motor and have been provided an estimated $20,000 in repairs. GM posted a service bulletin in 2011 claiming this issue was fixed; however, there are numerous reports online that it is still occurring and now we are also a victim.
Two months ago, the car would crank, but not start. After several tries, and waiting overnight to continue trying, I had the car taken to the dealer. Tow driver drops car off flatbed, service writer gets in to cycle through to get mileage, etc, and the car starts. No error codes. They keep it for a few days, but no further problem. Ten days ago, same problem. Tow driver tries to start the car to drive off flatbed, without success. Dealer observes the problem, but, again, car starts for the service writer, and no codes. Leave it for several days, but no repeat of the prob. A few days ago, same problem, except now the car is 'on the verge' of starting, not just cranking, and I can smell fuel (this was not the case previously). The car was low on fuel when I left, and the low fuel warning had come on a few miles before I stopped. So, I get some gas in the car, eventually 1/2 a tank, and now the car is just cranking, not 'on the verge', and aaa is called to tow it. At this point, the attempts are taking their toll on the battery, but I continue trying, and, while the tow truck is en route, it starts just like always (push button, engine starts, no lag or hesitation). Dealer thinks it's fuel related, but doesn't know what the problem is, so has no idea what to do. Online forums suggest that it's an overheated fuel pump relay, or connectors thereto, resulting ultimately in a complete fuse box replacement.
There have been several situations with the Corvette LS7 engine that resulted in dropped valves and blown engines. My source is the Corvette forum where several owners have had the problem. The faulty valve guides have been traced back to the engine head supplier. When the valve drops the engine stops and the car becomes a safety risk as there is no power breaks or steering and there is danger of a fire and or accident. General Motors must be aware of this problem as they have replaced many engines. They should issue a recall to check the valve guide clearance (wobble ) and replace the faulty heads. This would be cheaper that replacing blown engines and safer for the traveling public.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Richmond, VA, USA