NHTSA Complaint #10292054 — 2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE

2009 C6 CHEVROLET CORVETTE COUPE 1. MY WIFE & I GOT INTO ACR TO BACK OUT OF GARAGE. THE BATTERY FAILED WHEN I PRESSED IGNITION BUTTON. WE WERE LOCKED IN CAR WHICH HAS NO MANUAL DOOR HANDLES. 2. WE ESCAPED VEHICLE BY REMOVING ROOF PANEL AND CLIMBING OUT OF ROOF. 3. CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHO INFORMED US OF EMERGENCY DRIVER SIDE DOOR RELEASE IN THE BACK HATCH ON REAR WHEEL WELL THAT MUST BE PULLED TOWARD BACK OF CAR. IF INSIDE CAR, PASSENGER MUST CRAWL BETWEEN SEATS TO ACCESS THE RELEASE. WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS RELEASE AT TIME OF PURCHASE. THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP IF THE BATTERY OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS OR IF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR RELEASE CABLE SNAPS OR JAMS IN AN ACCIDENT. EMERGENCY ESCAPE REQUIRES CLIMBING THROUGH ROOF OR INTO BACK HATCH - ELDERLY PEOPLE COULD NOT DO WHAT WE HAD TO DO TO EXIT THE CAR. THERE SHOULD BE MANUAL RELEASE FOR BOTH DOORS ON THE DOORS. THE BATTERIES USED BY GM FOR THESE CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR QUICK DRAWDOWN & SHOULD BE REPLACED AT GM'S EXPENSE WITH QUALITY BATTERIES SUCH AS ODYSSEY PC1200. *TR