I Recently Bought a 2025 Z06 Corvette and Love It, But It Has An Engine Tick, And The Brakes Squeak At Low Speeds

When Andy Ballantyne drove home in his brand-new 2025 Z06 Corvette, he expected to experience the visceral thrill of the most advanced rear-engine Corvette yet. I am talking about a 670-horsepower symphony of American engineering. What he didn’t expect, however, was to hear an engine tick emanating from the 5.5L LT6 V8. 

Ballantyne turned to the Facebook Group “Corvette C8 Z06, ZR1 & E-Ray” to share his experience and see if other owners had encountered similar issues. His post quickly garnered attention, and as the comments rolled in, Ballantyne realized he wasn’t alone.

He wrote:

Issues with my 25 Z06
Hey all recently got a 25 Z06 and love it but it has an engine tick which I thought was resolved by now. Apparently not. Also the metal brakes squeak at low speeds. I have 425 miles on it. Do they eventually go away or can the dealership fix these issues or just deal with it! Any advice is appreciated.

Watch Ballentine's story and Corvette community's suggestions at the Torque News Youtube channel by clicking on the video's title to have a better resolution.

The post struck a chord with other Z06 owners. While some owners sympathized with Ballantyne’s concerns, others were quick to reassure him that the engine tick was likely nothing more than a characteristic quirk of the Z06’s unique flat-plane crank V8 engine.

One user responded:

They all do it. It’s the valve train. And also remember the engine is sitting right behind you. Run it!

Addressing the Squeaky Brakes

Ballantyne also noted that the brakes squeak at low speeds, an issue that often accompanies high-performance braking systems. The Z06, which offers optional carbon-ceramic rotors for increased heat resistance and track durability, uses brakes designed for the extremes of performance. Sadly, as many owners have discovered, these brakes can produce an ear-piercing squeal under light braking at slow speeds: a stark reminder of their motorsport roots.

When Ballantyne reached out to his dealership, he was relieved by their response.

Spoke to (the) dealer they said they know it’s an issue and to bring it in. Better than denying it, he noted.

A Corvette Community of Support

As the comments continued to pour in many Z06 owners shared their own experiences, offering advice and encouragement for Ballantyne to simply enjoy his car.

One owner chimed in with their perspective:

(It) happen(ed) to my Z. I take the car to the dealer. After one month, I have (it) back, 3k miles on it, driving like crazy, 8+ RPM daily. No problems at all. Best wishes bro. It’s (a) really fun car to own. I know a lot of money not to enjoy the car and frustrating, but it happens.

It’s clear from responses like this that the Z06 community while acknowledging the minor quirks of the car, remains overwhelmingly positive about the ownership experience. The underlying message? Yes, there may be an engine tick and squeaky brakes, but once you let the engine scream at 8,600 RPM, all those concerns fade into the background.

The Corvette C8 ZO6 is a Baby Ferrari

The Corvette C8 Z06 was revealed on October 26, 2021, and when it hit the scene, it was clear that Chevy had more in store than just redefining the Corvette as an American supercar. With its screaming flat-plane crank LT6 V8 and razor-sharp handling, the Z06 cemented itself as the "Baby Ferrari." But then Chevy raised the stakes even further with the C8 ZR1: an ultimate track weapon revealed with a starting price of $174,995.

But here’s the thing. they’re not without quirks, as Ballantyne’s experience with his Z06 reminds us. From the engine tick to squeaky brakes, even these precision machines have their share of imperfections. The question becomes – how much imperfection are you willing to live with when you’re chasing supercar performance at a Corvette price?

Owning a high-performance car like the Z06 Corvette teaches us a valuable lesson: no vehicle, no matter how expensive or prestigious, is perfect. Life is full of compromises, and this extends to our cars as well. Instead of letting small imperfections ruin the joy of ownership, focus on the bigger picture: what makes you happy about the car. Appreciate its strengths, whether it’s the thrilling performance, striking design, or the sheer excitement of driving it. Learning to manage expectations and enjoy the positives can make car ownership, and life in general, more fulfilling.

Additionally, this story reminds us to stay practical and balanced in our decisions. High-performance cars come with unique challenges: higher maintenance costs, quirks, and sometimes frustrating imperfections. Before investing in such a vehicle, take a moment to evaluate whether it fits your lifestyle and expectations. If you can accept the trade-offs and still find joy, then it’s the right choice. But if not, there’s no shame in opting for a more practical, reliable car that aligns with your needs. After all, the best car isn’t the one that turns the most heads. In my opinion, the best car is the one that brings you the most satisfaction every day.

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.