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2004 Chevrolet Corvette

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Corvette.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Chevrolet Corvette is a PASSENGER CAR that pairs an automatic four-speed transmission with an engine serviced by 6.4 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, returning EPA ratings of 16 city/23 highway/19 combined mpg. Within the model’s 1990–2025 complaint history, the 2004 edition sits well below the 2008 peak of 588 owner complaints, logging 217 complaints, 4 recalls, and a leading problem area in the fuel system, gasoline. That comparatively moderate complaint volume places it below the most troubled years in the dataset, though the fuel-system concentration and recall count still warrant close scrutiny.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 590 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731172. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 86 · 590 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeZ06 FRONT P265/40ZR17; Z06 REAR P295/35ZR18; OTHERS FRONT P245/45ZR17; OTHERS REAR P275/40ZR18OEM · verified

Wheel / rim9.5, 10.5, 8.5, 9.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731172
Engine air filter	25042562
Spark plug	12621258
Battery	88866262
Front wiper blades	19120758
Serpentine belt	19172680 alt 19244950
Thermostat	12600171 alt 12570307

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	179.9 in
Overall width	73.6 in
Overall height	48 in
Wheelbase	104.3 in
Curb weight	3219 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.2 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 23 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Corvette of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.40 sec — 2004 Z06 Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2004	Z06 Coupe 5.7L V8	4.40 sec	12.70 sec	405 hp	RWD
2003	Z06 Coupe 5.7L V8	4.10 sec	12.90 sec	405 hp	RWD
2003	Z06 Coupe 5.7L V8	4.29 sec	12.44 sec	405 hp	RWD
2003	Z06 Coupe 5.7L V8	4.50 sec	12.80 sec	405 hp	RWD
2003	Convertible 5.7L V8	4.72 sec	13.02 sec	350 hp	RWD
2003	50th Anniversary Edition Convertible 5.7L V8	4.90 sec	13.40 sec	350 hp	RWD
2002	Z06 Coupe 5.7L V8	4.00 sec	12.40 sec	405 hp	RWD
2002	Z06 Coupe 5.7L V8	4.07 sec	12.48 sec	405 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.4 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.4 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	GM part number 88861800
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.4

Engine torques

Engine Valve Cover Bolts

9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.75 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	590 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	55-62
Injector Primary Resistance	11-14 @ 50-95 degreesF MFI ohms
Engine Compression	100
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi
Engine Compression	215 Nominal psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket	23 ft-lbs / 125 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	125 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 in
Brake Application	WITH DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.024 in / 1.26 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep M11 Bolts (1-10):

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees.	90 degrees
3	Bolts 1-8	90 degrees
1	22

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep M11 Bolts (1-10):

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees.	90 degrees
3	Bolts 1-8	90 degrees
1	22

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.4

3.6 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., step 2: 18

11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 25,000 mi	Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The C5 generation’s complaint count rose sharply from 167 in 1997 to a peak of 407 in 1998, then declined steadily to 111 in 2003 before climbing again to 217 in 2004. Recalls followed a comparable arc, with four recalls in 1997, a low of one recall each year from 1998 through 2001, three recalls in 2002‑2003, and a return to four recalls in 2004. Compared with the prior year, 2004’s complaints nearly doubled (111 → 217) and recalls increased by one (3 → 4). The subsequent years 2005‑2008 saw complaints rise further to 536‑588 and recalls increase to five or six, placing 2004 just before the steepest upward trend. Consequently, the 2004 Corvette offers a moderate complaint and recall profile—better than the later peak years but worse than the early‑generation low‑complaint years—making it an average choice for a used purchase that warrants a thorough pre‑buy inspection.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

480

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

217

Owner complaints

4 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03’04’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 217 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline91

Fuel/Propulsion System49

Steering25

Electrical System4

Steering,Electrical System3

Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Service Brakes3

Visibility3

Service Brakes2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

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… Remedy: 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…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 480 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP5601C	2025-07-18	Unknown Or Other	This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIP5358D	2025-02-19	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP4723J	2024-10-25	Electrical System	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIT5099H	2024-09-12	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5099H	2024-09-12	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Corvette. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 86 battery Vehicles taking 6.4 qt Engine oil filter 12731172 Engine air filter 25042562 Spark plug 12621258 Battery 88866262

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Corvette take?

6.4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Corvette have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Corvette get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.