GM has recently issued a stop sales on about 2,800 new Chevrolet Corvettes due to possible manufacturing defects for two unrelated items. The first having to do with the air bag, and the second involving the parking brake.  While it is good that GM is recognizing these problems before they reach the owner’s hands forcing recalls or potential accidents, it certainly may make some potential buyers a bit apprehensive.

Defect 1: driver’s airbag

GM Spokesman Alan Adler said, “The cars are being inspected for a suspect part that attaches the air bag to the steering wheel. Separately, another 800 Corvettes are on hold because they may have been built with only one of the rear parking brake cables fully seated and engaged.  The part must be inspected to assure the parking brake is operating on both brake drums,” according to Detroit News.

Throughout the year, GM has recalled 29.1 million vehicles through 65 recall campaigns on vehicles built in North America. Amongst the recalls and fines there is an investigation pending with both the Justice Department and Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), although GM has made some large movements in order to remove those responsible as well as adding staff in an effort to improve their quality control.

Defect 2: parking brake

It is not uncommon for there to be defects in any manufacturing process, its just the nature of production.  While we may not love the thought of that, the alternative is a slowly hand-built car that is tested and inspected as each piece is assembled… which would certainly make the Corvette too expensive for the majority of us, thus ending the Corvette’s reign as America’s sports car.