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2020 Chevrolet Corvette

Is the C8 Chevy Corvette Having Some Quality Problems?

With the 2020 C8 Chevy Corvette being the first mid-engine ‘Vette, GM was obviously feeling the pressure to perform. Luckily, the new Corvette appears to be a hit, with solid reviews and orders for 2020 models closed due to demand. Unfortunately, with any major update—especially one like this—there’s always the risk of teething issues. And …

With the 2020 C8 Chevy Corvette being the first mid-engine ‘Vette, GM was obviously feeling the pressure to perform. Luckily, the new Corvette appears to be a hit, with solid reviews and orders for 2020 models closed due to demand. Unfortunately, with any major update—especially one like this—there’s always the risk of teething issues. And it seems the first 2020 Chevy Corvettes may be suffering from just that. But is that really the case?

The C8 Chevy Corvette’s paint problem

2020 Chevrolet Corvette paint nick
2020 Chevrolet Corvette paint nick | Seth Lewis via Facebook

The issue first popped up on a public Facebook group for C8 Chevy Corvette owners, The Drive reports. Seth Lewis, the owner of C8 VIN 57—who gave us permission to use his photos—reported that the paint on his Corvette’s driver’s side door was chipped. The culprit? A screw.

2020 Chevrolet Corvette screw detail
2020 Chevrolet Corvette screw detail | Seth Lewis via Facebook

The screw, Time Meets Road reports, holds the wheel liner in place. But it had been installed so it stuck out enough to nick the door when it was fully opened. The door hits the screw, and the paint gets nicked. And this might not be the only C8 Chevy Corvette affected. One CorvetteForum.com user claimed to be the owner of C8 Corvette VIN 16, which was also suffering from chipped paint. The problem was, once again, a sticking-out wheel liner screw.

2020 Chevrolet Corvette screw
2020 Chevrolet Corvette screw | Seth Lewis via Facebook

However, not every early-production C8 Corvette appears to have this issue. Other CorvetteForum.com users report the owners of VINs 50, 1839, and 2330 aren’t having this problem. And another C8 Facebook group user posted photos that showed their Corvette had what appeared to be a shorter screw in place of the problematic one. Although, it could simply be the same screw, just installed differently.

It’s not clear, as of this writing, why only some 2020 C8 Corvettes have this problem. However, it might be tied to the pace of Corvette delivery. According to Motor1, although GM shut down production due to Corvid-19, Kentucky’s Corvette museum will still be assembling ‘Vettes for customers. This was confirmed by Corvette Blogger, which spoke with a Chevrolet spokesperson. It’s possible that, in a rush to get the cars ready, workers installed some screws incorrectly. Or mistakenly installed a longer-than-necessary one.

Should potential owners be worried?

In short, no.

Lewis has already been in touch with his local Chevrolet dealer. He assures MotorBiscuit that Chevrolet has been nothing but helpful in trying to resolve the problem. The Drive reports GM is assembling a ‘Technical Assistance Center’ to help 2020 Corvette owners with any quality control issues that pop up.

2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray interior
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray interior | Chevrolet

That’s what motivated Lewis to post the pictures in the first place, he told MotorBiscuit. He’s very impressed with the overall fit and finish of his C8 Corvette. He just wants this issue resolved before other owners have to deal with it.

And in terms of quality problems, it’s nowhere near the headache Ford had with its dual-clutch transmission.

The non-issue of the C8 Chevy Corvette’s engine bay

Considering this is the first mid-engine Corvette, some owners may not be aware of all the quirks the layout comes with. One of these is all the vents in the rear of the car, Corvette Blogger reports, which are needed to remove heat. But, as YouTuber and Chevrolet salesman Morgan Crosbie discovered, they also allow water to come in when the C8 gets washed.

However, this isn’t actually a problem. As Motor1 explains, even non-mid-engine cars get water in their engine bays. It’s a minor annoyance, but it’s not a defect. In addition, nothing in the rear trunk was soaked, despite it being right behind the engine bay.

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