Is There a Problem with C8 Leather Dashboards?

Some C8 dashboards appear to have a definitive ‘hand-made’ appearance to their stitching which is not sitting well with some owners.

With the new C8 rolling out of the factory and impressing owners everywhere, the topic of quality has been on the minds of many. For most, the subject reflects the immense quality improvements over the outgoing C7 Corvette, and how this new mid-engine coupe is a world-class sports car. On the other hand, some owners are eyeing 3LT Corvettes for a unique issue. Some areas of the dashboard seem to have wavy areas of stitching. Prompting the conversation was forum member DoctorV8, who started THIS THREAD to ask about his leather dash:

Anyone else’s look like this?

As it turns out, he wasn’t alone. Through the thread, a few other 3LT Corvettes have popped up with errant stitching. With the elevated MSRP of a 3LT trim level, the C8’s price tag could see $100,000, and many are pointing out that this type of defect is simply not acceptable. But interestingly, a point about quality checks arose quickly. Forum member Phil1098 notes how this could have been spotted numerous times.

This is a two pronged problem. One, the supplying vendor should have never signed off on the QC and shipped it to the plant (as stated, this wasn’t done at the plant by anyone, much less temp workers). Two, this dash assembly should have never been accepted at the plant and used on a customer car. It should have been rejected and a prayer meeting scheduled with the supplier.

To see if this was an anomaly or an imperfection, some members went to search out other C8’s to see what their dashboards look like. Here’s what they found.

After a few folks wondered if DoctorV8’s dash was starting to come unglued, DoctorV8 followed up with second angle of his days where the leather looks flat and not rippled.

Had a great 500 mile weekend, and the car is phenomenal aside from this stitching issue. Here’s another angle. The leather is fine.

If the stitching was not a contrast color, perhaps it wouldn’t be as visible. But some owners are facing a real dilemma here. Live with it? See if the dealer will take care of it under warranty? Will Chevrolet issue a recall for it? It also poses a question for those who are eyeing a 2021 model: will you consider a 2LT over a 3LT now?

Photos: Corvette Forum

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