GM recalls more than 23,000 Chevrolet Corvettes after several fires at pumps
Recall targets 2023–2026 Z06 and ZR1 models; company orders dealer stop-sales and will install shields after investigators link spilled fuel and cooling fan airflow to blazes
General Motors is recalling more than 23,000 Chevrolet Corvettes after several vehicles reportedly caught fire while being refueled, the automaker and federal regulators said.
The recall covers certain Corvette Z06 models from 2023 through 2025 and ZR1 models from 2025 through 2026. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the affected cars are equipped with a left-side radiator and a cooling fan positioned below the filler area; that configuration can cause spilled gasoline to be blown onto hot components and ignite. GM said roughly 25,000 Corvettes are affected globally, and regulators estimate only about one-tenth of 1% of the cars will have the defect.
GM reported at least four fires linked to the condition. Investigators said two of the incidents appear to have been exacerbated by fuel-dispensing equipment that failed to shut off automatically. One blaze received widespread attention in June after owner Shawn Conner posted video showing his 2024 Corvette igniting while he was pumping gas; the car was destroyed within minutes, according to news reports. Company records also show a GM-owned Corvette test vehicle burned during the automaker's probe.
An employee at GM flagged multiple social-media posts showing Corvettes erupting at fuel pumps, including a series of fires occurring within a 30-day span, the automaker said. GM spent several months investigating whether the pattern indicated a defect before initiating the recall last month. As a temporary measure, GM ordered a stop-sale on affected cars parked on dealer lots while it develops and rolls out a remedy.
GM said it will install a shield designed to divert spilled gasoline away from potential ignition points. "The safety of our customers is the highest priority for the entire GM team, and we’re working to remedy this matter as quickly as possible," the company said in a statement.
The recall affects high-performance variants of the Corvette, some of which carry price tags above $100,000. Owners of recalled vehicles will be notified by the automaker with instructions on the remedy and timing, GM said. NHTSA is overseeing the defect investigation and the recall process.
The recall is the latest safety action by major automakers in recent years to address fire risks tied to fuel-handling, thermal management and post-shutdown component behavior. Regulators and automakers say small design or equipment failures — including malfunctioning fuel pumps at service stations — can interact with vehicle hardware to create unexpected hazards. GM said it will continue to work with NHTSA and dealers to coordinate repairs and communicate with owners.
Owners with questions are advised to contact their local Chevrolet dealer or GM customer service for additional information about the recall and the schedule for repairs.