DETROIT and WASHINGTON, D.C. -

The Office of Defects Investigation within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently opened an examination of more than 100,000 Chevrolet Corvettes from the 2005 through 2007 model years.

Investigators said they have received reports from consumers alleging that after driving for a short time (five to 30 minutes), both low beam headlights stopped working simultaneously and without warning.

“The low beam headlights remained inoperative for the remainder of the drive cycle; however, no other lighting is affected,” NHTSA said.

The agency indicated General Motors provided information in response to ODI’s information request letter explaining that the loss of headlights is caused by a fractured low beam circuit wire in the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC), an electrical assembly NHTSA believes is similar to a fuse box.

“The UBEC is located in a high heat area near the engine, and the low beam circuit wire routing within the UBEC makes it susceptible to cyclical stress caused by thermal expansion,” investigators said.

The investigation covers model years 2005 through 2007 Corvettes — a total of 103,107 units. However, ODI mentioned that it also has received four reports alleging the same condition in model year 2008 Corvettes.

“ODI is upgrading the investigation to an engineering analysis to further examine the consequences, frequency and scope of this problem,” investigators said.

In a message to Auto Remarketing, GM spokesperson Alan Adler said, “GM is continuing to cooperate with the NHTSA in its investigation.”

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