The 2004 Chevrolet Corvette is a coupe from United States. Below are the specifications, open safety recalls and NHTSA data available for this specific model year. Decode a 2004 Corvette VIN to see the exact trim, engine and equipment for one particular vehicle.
Value calculator
Move the slider: the estimate applies the observed one-year depreciation rate for this model line (17.9%/year) to the value you enter. It updates instantly, right here.
Estimated value
$0
Source: Craigslist U.S. used listings (2020-2021 snapshot) + Car Features & MSRP dataset. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and the snapshot was taken in 2020–2021 — pair the estimate with live listings for your area before pricing a car.
Overview
The Chevrolet Corvette is a coupe sold in the U.S. market. Enter its 17-character VIN below to pull the exact build from NHTSA vPIC: model year, trim, engine, drivetrain and assembly plant, plus any open safety recalls filed for that model year.
Specifications at a glance
Basic build info
Model year
2004
Make
Chevrolet
Model
Corvette
Body
Coupe
Country of origin
United States
Model-year-exact trim, engine and equipment vary by VIN. Decode the specific VIN above to confirm.
Fuel Economy (2004 Chevrolet Corvette)
16
City MPG
23
Highway MPG
19
Combined MPG
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA).
NHTSA safety ratings
—
Overall
—
Frontal
—
Side
—
Rollover
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Real-world pricing & specs — 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
Used-market medians (U.S. listings)
U.S. used-market listings for the 2004 Corvette (Craigslist, 2020–2021 snapshot) cluster around a median asking price of $19,857 at roughly 51,655 miles, based on 56 listings. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and values have moved since the snapshot — pair with live listings for your area.
Used median price
$19,857
Median mileage
51,655
Sample: 56 listings
Median of real U.S. Craigslist asking prices for this model year; asking prices skew above negotiated sale prices. Snapshot taken 2020-2021.
Median used price by state — 2004 Corvette
States with the most listings for this model year (Craigslist 2020–2021 snapshot; only states with enough listings to quote):
Source: Craigslist used listings (2020–2021 snapshot). Regional variation reflects local supply and demand, not vehicle condition.
NHTSA safety recalls — 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
4
open recall campaigns on file with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Repairs are free at any authorized Chevrolet dealer (within 10 years of first sale). See all recalls →
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Campaign: 09E025000 · Filed: 11/05/2009
Defect description: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective action: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Campaign: 09E012000 · Filed: 07/04/2009
Defect description: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective action: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
STEERING:LINKAGES
Campaign: 04V273000 · Filed: 09/06/2004
Defect description: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL STUD NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES WITH WASHERS WERE MADE OF THE WRONG MATERIAL. THE WASHERS MAY FRACTURE AND BECOME LOOSE OR FALL AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE, REDUCING CLAMP LOAD. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM BALL STUD AND STEERING KNUCKLE, DUE TO DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TAPERED ATTACHMENT AND RETAINING NUT, IS POSSIBLE.
Consequence: IF THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATES FROM THE KNUCKLE, THE AFFECTED CORNER OF THE VEHICLE WILL DROP AND THE CONTROL ARM WOULD BE FORCED DOWNWARD, CONTACTING THE WHEEL. THE AFFECTED WHEEL COULD TILT OUTWARD AND CREATE A DRAGGING ACTION THAT WOULD TEND TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND CREATE A TENDENCY FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL. IN EXTREME SITUATIONS, THE AFFECTED WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WOULD ALSO SEVER THAT WHEEL;S HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE AND RESULT IN DIMINISHED BRAKING PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Corrective action: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL STUD JOINTS AND MEASURE THE TORQUE OF THE NUT FOR ALL FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS IN ALL MODELS AFFECTED AS WELL AS THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THE XLR AND CORVETTE. IF THE TORQUE IS NOT AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BALL STUD, THE KNUCKLE, AND THE NUT. IF THE TORQUE IS AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLY ONLY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
Campaign: 04V060000 · Filed: 09/02/2004
Defect description: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEMS (ECL), WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED TO "LOCK," THE ECL SYSTEM PREVENTS TURNING OF THE STEERING SYSTEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE ECL UNLOCKS THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED SO THAT IF THE COLUMN FAILS TO UNLOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND THE CUSTOMER TRIES TO DRIVE, THE FUEL SUPPLY WILL BE SHUT OFF SO THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT MOVE WHEN THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE STEERED. IF VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, HOWEVER, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR AND THE VEHICLE CAN BE ACCELERATED WHILE THE STEERING SYSTEM IS LOCKED.
ALSO WHEN THE CONTROL SYSTEM SHOWS THAT THE ECL IS UNLOCKED AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE LOCK PIN LOCATION CAN VARY. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE LOCK PLATE RELATIVE TO THE SWITCH TRANSITION POINT, THERE COULD THEN BE CONTACT BETWEEN THE LOCK PLATE AND PIN CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING .
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Corrective action: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL DISABLE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK BY REMOVING THE COLUMN LOCK PLATE. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WILL LOCK BUT THE STEERING COLUMN WILL NOT LOCK.
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, PERFORM A DIMENSIONAL CHECK OF THE COLUMN LOCK AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LOCK PLATE. THE STEERING COLUMN ON THESE VEHICLES WILL CONTINUE TO LOCK WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED.
OWNER NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS OF 1997 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2004.
OWNERS OF 1998 THROUGH 2004 VEHICLES (EXCEPT 1997-1998 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) WILL BE NOTIFIED BEGINNING ON AUGUST 2, 2004. THE REMAINING OWNERS (1997-1998 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) WILL BE NOTIFIED LATER IN 2004, WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Source: NHTSA Recalls API. Snapshot last checked: October 19, 2026. Recall status changes — verify by VIN for any vehicle you own or plan to buy.
Common problems to check on this generation
Wear items (brakes, suspension bushings, tires) at a rate set by mileage and prior care
Electronics and infotainment faults reported on some model years
Any open recall: verify by VIN, since repairs are free at the dealer
Applies to the model line as a whole; the 2004 model year may have specific TSBs, always verify by VIN.
Owner-reported problems — 2004 Corvette
217
owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Complaints are self-reported by owners and are separate from formal recalls.
Most-reported problem areas:
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE — 91 reports
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — 49 reports
STEERING — 25 reports
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE — 12/31/2009
2004 CHEVROLET COM.EDITION Z06 CORVETTE. PURCHASED IN SEPT 2008 WITH 5500 MILES FROM THE ORIGINAL SELLING DEALERSHIP. NOW WITH APPROX 9800-10,000 MILES A FUEL LEAK HAS DEVELOPED WHEN FUELING THE CAR UP. AT APPROX +1/2-3/4 TANK FUEL SPILLS OUT UNDER THE CAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS YEAR SAW AN INSTALLATION OF A NEW STAINLESS FUEL CROSSOVER LINE BETWEEN THE TANKS. THEY HAVE BEEN NOTORIOUS FOR LEAKAGE ALONG WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE TANK IN THE AREA WHERE THE CROSSOVER LINE COUPLES TO THE TANK. ALONG
STRUCTURE — 12/30/2009
I HAVE A 2000 CHEVROLET CORVETTE AND A 2004 CHEVROLET COMMEMORATIVE EDITION CORVETTE. BOTH OF MY VETTES HAVE HAD A ROOF LEAK AND BOTH CARS HAVE THE FIXED ROOF. NEITHER VEHICLES HAVE EVER BEEN WRECKED. IT HAS CAUSED MILDEW ON THE HEADLINER AS WELL AS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH WIRING IN THE CAR DUE TO THE LEAK. BECAUSE MY 2000 CORVETTE HAD NO WARRANTY WE FIXED THE PROBLEM OURSELVES, BUT MY 2004 CORVETTE STILL IS HAVING A PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT IS UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE WARRAN
VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE — 12/29/2009
OUR CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE HAD A "RATTLE" IN THE BACK WE ID AS THE BACK WINDOW FROM THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAD BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE ADHESIVE AND FELL OUT INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT IS BEING HANDLED THROUGH THE RECALL. *TR
Ask a specific question about this year and model. Our editors review every submission and publish answers with sources on this page — typical response time is 2-5 business days.
Related guides for 2004 Chevrolet Corvette owners & buyers
The 2004 Corvette is a Coupe. Decode a specific VIN above for the exact trim, engine, transmission and factory options for one particular vehicle.
Are there recalls on the 2004 Corvette?
Yes — 4 recalls on record. Repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
How long a used Chevrolet Corvette lasts depends mostly on its maintenance history, not the badge. Pull the recall list for the model year, read the service records and pay for an independent inspection before you commit.
Values vary by trim, mileage, condition and region. Check Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADA/J.D. Power for a range, see our guide comparing them — and pair with 5–10 local listings for your exact year and mileage.
What common problems should I watch for on a 2004 Corvette?
Segment-wide issues like brake and suspension wear are the norm at this age; model-specific issues vary by generation. Review the "common problems" section above, check NHTSA complaints and TSBs for the specific year, and get an independent inspection focused on those areas.
Sources on this page:NHTSA vPIC (specifications),
NHTSA Recalls,
NHTSA NCAP (safety),
EPA FuelEconomy.gov (MPG),
NHTSA Complaints, SAE J2012 (OBD-II standard). VinSpecs is an independent service, not affiliated with Chevrolet or any government agency.