by Incident at the Gas Station
A video published online shows the moment a Corvette Z06 burst into flames while refueling. It is believed that gasoline fumes were carried by the cooling fan onto the hot engine of the C8. GM already halted sales of the Z06 and ZR1 models last month, however, this does not apply to the E-Ray and Stingray versions.
Incident History
When GM began developing the first mass-produced Corvette with a mid-engine layout, it took cues from sports cars like the Ferrari 458. However, the Corvette also inherited one of Ferrari’s less desirable traits—a propensity to catch fire. New video evidence suggests this is exactly what happened to the unfortunate Z06.
Shawn Conner was refueling his 2024 Corvette Z06 3LZ at a gas station in June when his 670-hp sports car suddenly caught fire. The fire spread so quickly that he could do nothing to save the vehicle, which was completely destroyed.
“Does anyone have experience or has heard of something like this before?” he asked in a Facebook post earlier this summer. “The car exploded while refueling. I have an idea, but I’d like to hear others’ opinions.”
Scale of the Problem
This is not the only case of a C8 series meeting a fiery fate. Numerous social media posts with images of melted Corvettes prove that the problem is not limited to his Z06. Reportedly, one of GM’s own cars was also destroyed.
Manufacturer’s Actions
GM temporarily suspended sales of some new Corvette models last month and initiated a recall of over 23,000 vehicles from the 2023–2026 model years due to a design flaw that can make refueling deadly dangerous. If fuel vapors or spilled gasoline come near the cooling fan, they can be sucked into the hot engine compartment, leading to ignition. This only applies to Z06 models with a flat-plane crank and the turbocharged ZR1.
Chevrolet has already developed a protective shield that prevents spilled gasoline from reaching the engine, but it needs to complete coordination with suppliers and organize the distribution of the part, likely within the next few weeks.
“The safety of our customers is the highest priority for the entire GM team, and we are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible,” a GM spokesperson stated.
Which Models Are Not Affected
The standard Stingray and the all-wheel-drive hybrid E-Ray, which use the LT2 engine instead of the LT6 and LT7 found in the Z06 and ZR1, do not carry the same fire risk and are not part of the recall program.
Recommendations for Owners
GM is already advising Corvette owners via the C8’s instructions not to re-squeeze the trigger after it shuts off and to always wait five seconds after removing the nozzle to avoid fuel drips. One owner on social media wrote that the pump he was using did not shut off, which led to his car igniting.
Historical Parallels
Ferrari was forced to recall over 1,000 early examples of the 458 Italia in 2010 after a series of fires. The problem was linked to overheated adhesive used on the wheel arches, although Ferrari claimed the risk only existed for cars operated under extreme conditions. A few years later, the California T and the 458’s successor, the 488 GTB, were also recalled for similar issues.
This Corvette situation is a reminder of how crucial engineering decisions and manufacturers’ prompt responses to potential threats are. Although GM has taken measures, similar incidents can affect consumer trust in high-performance models, especially when it comes to safety. Quickly implementing a fix can help restore confidence in the brand, but Ferrari’s history shows that such problems sometimes recur in various forms.
