30-Second Summary

• Recall: NHTSA 25V536 for a fuel spill fire risk during refueling.
• Affected: About 23,656 2023–2026 Corvettes with a left-side radiator/fan (mainly Z06 and ZR1).
• NOT affected (North America): Stingray and E-Ray.
• Cause: Fuel can overflow the filler pocket, reach hot components, and in rare cases cause a corvette gas pump fire.
• Fix: Dealers will install a shield/insert to redirect spilled fuel.
• Next step: Until repaired, use careful fueling habits and submit our Contact Us form to receive a Case Reality Check – Free Initial Assessment. We'll review what you send and respond by phone or email.

Owners have seen videos of a Corvette gas pump fire and wondered if their own car could be next. The issue involves 2023–2026 Corvettes with a left-side radiator and fan – primarily the Corvette Z06/ZR1 (model years affected) in North America. About 23,656 cars fall into this group, with four refueling fires and two minor injuries reported so far. The odds are low, but when a fire starts at a crowded station, the consequences can be serious.

Why it happens at the pump

On these cars, the fuel door opens to a small recessed filler pocket in the left rear fender. You slide the nozzle into the filler neck inside that pocket. When the pump shuts off correctly, fuel goes into the tank and a few drops are harmless. Trouble starts when more than a “few drops” enter the pocket. If a pump keeps running after the tank is full, or you keep squeezing the handle to top off, extra fuel can spill into the pocket and seep behind the quarter panel toward the left-side radiator and electric cooling fan.

Engineers learned that this layout can turn a spill into a Corvette gas pump fire:

• Spilled fuel reaching the radiator area
• The cooling fan drawing vapors toward the engine
• Vapors meeting an ignition source near the filler

In testing, pouring only 100 milliliters (about half a small paper cup, or roughly two to three seconds of pump flow) into the filler pocket was enough to reproduce the damage pattern seen on real cars. For a very small fraction of owners, that has meant corvettes on fire at gas stations instead of a normal fill-up.

How to lower the risk

High-risk situations for this defect include:

1. A malfunctioning pump that does not shut off when the tank is full
2. Topping off after the first automatic click to squeeze in more fuel
3. Walking away while the nozzle runs on the latch
4. Using a damaged or leaking nozzle

These situations do not guarantee a corvette fire at gas station, but they sharply increase the chance of a spill in the wrong place. You can lower the risk with a few simple habits:

1. Stay with your Corvette and watch the display so you can stop the pump quickly if something looks wrong.
2. Stop at the first click; when the nozzle shuts off, do not add more fuel.
3. Check the nozzle and make sure it is fully inserted and not obviously loose or crooked in the pocket.
4. Avoid bad equipment; if the nozzle leaks or you see fuel on the ground, move to another pump or another station.
5. In New Jersey, tell the attendant, “Stop at the first click, no top off,” and watch while they fuel your Corvette.

The recall's dealer-installed shield is designed to divert spilled fuel away from hot components, while these fueling habits reduce the chance of a spill in the first place. Together, engineering changes and careful refueling make it far less likely that a rare defect turns into a headline-grabbing corvette gas pump fire.

When it becomes a legal issue

A single small overflow will not automatically make your Corvette a lemon. But if your car has suffered an actual corvette gas pump fire, or if it spends long stretches at the dealer for fire-related repairs or recall work, you may have legal options in New York or New Jersey.

To evaluate a potential claim, it helps to gather:

• Repair orders and invoices describing the problem and the work done
• Tow and rental records showing how you got around while your Corvette was in the shop
• Photos or videos of any incident or visible damage at the filler area
• A log of days out of service, especially if the car is stuck at the dealer waiting for recall parts

Owners with substantial and recurring problems may be entitled to a refund or replacement under the lemon law. Other owners may have claims for breach of warranty under the Magnuson-Moss Act.

Our office helps Chevrolet Corvette owners in New York and New Jersey review these situations at no upfront cost. If you are worried about a corvette gas pump fire, or about repeated fuel-related repairs and delays, you can contact us for a free consultation. We can review your documents, explain your rights, and evaluate whether your situation may qualify as a lemon law or warranty case.

FAQ

Is it safe to drive my Corvette?

For most owners, the main concern is refueling, not normal driving. Until the recall repair is done, follow safe fueling practices and avoid topping off. If you smell fuel, see visible damage, or were close to any fire event, do not drive the car – contact your dealer and your insurance company.

Is my Stingray or E-Ray affected?

In North America, the Stingray and E-Ray do not use the left-side radiator/fan layout tied to this fuel-spill fire recall, so they are not part of this specific campaign. Always confirm by checking your VIN with GM or NHTSA.

What is the fix for this corvette gas pump fire problem?

The remedy is a dealer-installed shield or insert that redirects spilled fuel away from the radiator, fan, and other hot components behind the quarter panel. The goal is to make any spill less likely to lead to a corvette fire at gas station.

What if the dealer can't repair my Corvette yet?

Some dealers may still be waiting for parts or final instructions. Ask for written confirmation that your Corvette is included in NHTSA recall 25V536, keep any service notes, and track days the car is out of service. Extended delays or repeated repair visits can be relevant under New York and New Jersey lemon laws and federal warranty law.

Asistencia en español para propietarios de Corvette en Nueva York y Nueva Jersey

Si su Corvette tiene riesgo de incendio al repostar gasolina o ya sufrió un incidente en una gasolinera, podemos evaluar su situación.

La campaña de retiro afecta ciertos modelos fabricados entre 2023 y 2026 que podrían presentar fugas de combustible e incendios.

Recolectamos facturas de reparación, fotos y datos de inactividad para determinar sus derechos.
Para consultar con un abogado sobre su Corvette en Nueva York o Nueva Jersey, contáctenos por teléfono o en línea: la consulta es gratuita.

Sources:

• CorvetteForum – Stop Sale / Recall Fueling Fire Risk for Z06 Discussion
• NHTSA – 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Vehicle Page (Complaints & Recalls)
• NHTSA – Recall Report 25V536 (Fuel Spill Fire Risk on Corvette Z06/ZR1)
• AutoEvolution – GM Recalls 23,656 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and ZR1 Vehicles for Potential Fire Risk (PDF)
• GM Authority – How Many Corvettes Were Recalled Over Fuel Spill Fire Risk
• Chevrolet – Official Corvette Recall Information
• Wall Street Journal – Gas Pumping Defect Making Corvettes Catch Fire

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