Here’s a feature on that appeared on the first three model years of the Corvette Stingray but apparently, GM is retiring it for the 2023 Corvette model year.
For years, Chevrolet has provided a physical key that could be used to open the driver’s side door or the rear hatch to gain access to the car. The key was stored in the fob and the locks were hidden under the driver-side boomerang and on the exterior rear of the car behind the license plate. In the case of your battery being dead which renders the electronic locks inoperable, you would simply use the keys provided to gain access to the car.
GM is now saying that beginning with the 2023 Corvette models, they are doing away with the cylinder key lock mechanism for the rear hatch. For access to the rear hatch, they suggest using any of the three electronic buttons (driver’s side door, keyfob, hatch release button) first. In case there is an issue with the latching mechanism that has seized, the only solution for opening it is to use a 3-inch hole-saw and drill into the hatch so that the fasteners holding it closed can be released.
Here is the technical update from General Motors:
If you need to access the rear compartment on a 2023+ model year Corvette:
Attempt to open the rear hatch /rear compartment using all 3 electrical attempts. Try the interior switch, the exterior touch pad, and the key fob. This will electrically command the rear hatch/rear compartment to release. There is no alternate method to gain access to the rear hatch / rear compartment if these attempts do not work. The vehicle will have to be damaged in order to open the rear hatch / rear compartment. See the section later in this document titled, “Accessing the rear hatch / rear compartment with a seized up latch.”
Accessing the rear hatch / rear compartment with a seized up latch:
First obtain a 3″ hole saw for the following procedure. Send the vehicle to a body shop as needed. Starting at the trailing edge of the rear hatch / rear compartment, measure forward 3 and 1/2″. Make this mark at the centerline of the panel. This will be the center of the hole that will have to be drilled into the panel. This will place the pilot hole location right in a portion of the stingray emblem when it has been positioned properly. Drill a 3″ hole through the rear hatch / rear compartment panel. This will allow the technician to lift the rear panel upwards and the small 3″ cut-out portion of the panel will stay attached to the rear latch / striker assembly. The servicing technician will then have access to the fasteners that hold the latch to the vehicle and can continue servicing the vehicle from there.”
We’re not exactly sure why this change was made, but most likely it comes down to the cost of the locks and installing them on every C8 Corvette versus the costs to warranty a defective hatch mechanism whenever those issues arise. Why there isn’t a manual pull cord to open the rear hatch from the cockpit is one of the questions we have as we can imagine most of the latch seizures are bound to happen long after the warranty has run out.
UPDATE
Here is the pdf that was shared on the Corvette Forum detailing the changes to the Rear Compartment Lock Cylinder on the 2023 Corvette.
Source:
CorvetteForum.com
Related:
Chevrolet Is Offering a New ‘Dark Stealth’ Crossed-Flags Emblem for 2023 Corvettes
[PIC] Early 2023 Corvette Stingrays Shipped Without Pricing on the Monroney Label
Chevrolet Adds DCT Transmission Filter Life to Maintenance Tab on 2023 Corvettes
-
![[SPIED] Corvette ZR1 Mules Testing in Ohio Ahead of the NCM Bash](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/uploads/2024/04/042224_8-218x150.jpg "[SPIED] Corvette ZR1 Mules Testing in Ohio Ahead of the NCM Bash")
I hope they put a pull cord like the article suggests. This is very disconcerting.
Great idea – bonuses all around!! GM saved “a fortune”, the locks will last at least as long as the warranty, and the poor schmuck who buys one out of warranty had best be a lucky one!
They mention a stuck latch. It seems a dead na=battery is more likely. So, if your battery dies you have to drill a hole in the hatch?! I just lost interest in a new C8. I’ll stick with my LT3 Z51 C7.
Is this a delayed April Fools joke?!?!
This sounds like a April Fools joke. You spend big money and they are going to drill into the body???
I wish it was. I’ve added the pdf of the GM technical document to the article.
Here’s what we’ve left out to save us money. Mary really is a dirt bag.
Just…wow. So, I guess I’m glad I got a ‘22 with no backup sensors and a $50 credit? Constr8nts…
I’m disappointed with this C8 change & drill a hole fix it.
I wonder if there will be an aftermarket refit kit?
I’ve had stuck rear latches in many of my Vettes.
Pure ignorance.
Drill a hole in a $100k+ car?
Sounds like something a goofball on YouTube would tell you to do.
THE BATTERY IS IN THE FRONT TRUNK, SO USING THE KEY TO OPEN THAT WOULD LET YOU
BOOST IT, AND OPEN EVERYTHING
That has got to be the lamest excuse I’ve read about. Drill a 3” hole in a Corvette that costs $70-$100k+? That’s a big WTF (little) gm. How will you explain that 20-30 years down the road to a prospective buyer of your then classic Corvette? Stupid, stupid, stupid…..
This has got to be a joke? Why isn’t anybody laughing?
This outrageous, I agree, I’m keeping my C7.
Is that the procedure outlined in the Owner’s Manual of other “Super Cars?” Asking for a friend.
This is totally ridiculous! I’ll be keeping my C7 also.
So, you follow the instructions and open the hatch. How do you repair the body damage? Glue? A bigger emblem? This raises stupidity to a new level.
Well, I just got a new 2023, very disconcerting. Yes hopefully the hatch will always pop open, and the battery is in the frunk, Hopefully there is manual release for the frunk, if not what’s the fix for that? Another total boneheaded move by GM to save maybe $50 tops per car? Since this was standard equipment on 2020-2022 maybe you can retrofit a lock mechanism to a 2023?
Let’s hope this is an April Fools joke. I can’t believe that the geniuses that designed this beautiful car signed on to this idea!
Another reason to keep my C7.
Stupid! Why don’t they remove the one from the door and send out a service bulletin saying it will cost an additional $200 for GM to overnight a rock to you to bust the driver’s window to gain access?
The GM Technical update says, the key cylinder is there but you can’t see it, unless you drill a hole behind the license plate. I assume you proactively ctivey drill a hole and have access to that lock cylinder if you want. But it is a stupid idea on GM part. It requires a trip to the dealer for many people who has a dead battery.
Three words for GM: Diminished Value Lawsuits
The big bosses at FORD and CHRYSLER are rolling in the isles with laughter. Love my C3 and C6. Never liked the C8’s, like them even less now.
Insane! I really had to think for a minute and look up a hole-saw just to make sure, as I could not believe what I was hearing!!
I know, they could put a key cylinder lock in it…oh…wait…
I know this was already said, but I also thought this was an April fools day joke. Zora must be rolling over in his grave and laughing his ass off at the same time.
I own corvettes, & i have had an awful time opening a hood with a broken hood cable, Hey , most after market Corvette stores sell a wire cable in case of a broken hood release, works great ! Installs in 10 minutes ,PLUSE IT SELLS FOR A SMALL AMOUNT! Come on GM GD
Thanks for telling the thieves exactly where to drill a hole to get into the rear hatch.
I just saw where if the doors don’t open you have to cut a 2 foot hole in the roof, and like all the other dummies that had no intention of buying a C8, I’ll keep my C7.
I’ve nothing more to add since You guys have already said it all.But please let’s hope that someone from GM will tell us WHY???We’re have to drill a hole in a 2023-car!!!!This is more than greed it’s plain stupidity./Best regards to all of you guys.
Comments are closed.